Looking at buying a 1999 with a C1255 code???
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Looking at buying a 1999 with a C1255 code???
I am looking at buying a 1999 that has the code of C1255 currently. The reader board in the car also says to service abs and traction control. The owner says it has just come on after sitting for a year. I have driven it as a test drive and tried to clear the code but without any luck. I have not driven it hard...yet. They are going to have the wiring looked at. If the problem is not wiring/ground. What happens if I let this code go and just drive it, is not going to be my daily driver?? Used repair parts seem to be the only thing available due to age of the vehicle. I hate to buy a used part that may break in a year. I guess any number of things could go wrong. It drives fine and brakes fine. Will the brakes fail or not function as abs?? Please give me some advise with this. My last Vette was a 1984 and got rid of it 15 years ago and want to get into one again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
The EBCM, which controls antilock and traction control, is "done". Cannot be repaired and there are no new ones available - and the used ones are getting very pricey indeed. I would want at least $2k off the asking price for that alone - or better still tell the owner you will buy once he gets it fixed.
https://www.vettenuts.net/index.php?..._detail&p=1891
The brakes will still work, but you just won't have ABS. Depending on where you live it may/may not pass a state inspection because of the warning light.
https://www.vettenuts.net/index.php?..._detail&p=1891
The brakes will still work, but you just won't have ABS. Depending on where you live it may/may not pass a state inspection because of the warning light.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 143
Likes: 31
From: Indiana
Agree with Jackthelad. The EBCM is toast. If you do end of buying the car, just remember that if you don't buy an expensive used one, the ABS messages and chime will be there every time you drive the car. Some people say they get used to it. I think it would drive me crazy. Keep in mind the 2001+ models have a different EBCM that can be repaired to some extent, but not for 1255. My unscientific observation is the early model C5's have more 1255 faults than the later years.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
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Low voltage issues can cause a myriad of issues, especially if the car has been sitting for a period of time.
I was chasing an AC issue and was disconnecting my battery to test some things and ended up with a C1255 code (without the warning message), a pull key, wait 10 seconds (which I haven’t seen in 4 years of ownership) and a bunch of other codes.
I cleared all the codes and charged up my battery and I’m code free. I had gotten sporadic C1255 codes in the past, all if the car sat 2-3 weeks for whatever reason.
I mean, it’s also likely that the EBCM is truly fried, but sometimes you can come back.
I was chasing an AC issue and was disconnecting my battery to test some things and ended up with a C1255 code (without the warning message), a pull key, wait 10 seconds (which I haven’t seen in 4 years of ownership) and a bunch of other codes.
I cleared all the codes and charged up my battery and I’m code free. I had gotten sporadic C1255 codes in the past, all if the car sat 2-3 weeks for whatever reason.
I mean, it’s also likely that the EBCM is truly fried, but sometimes you can come back.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 187
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From: Lynnwood. Edmonds, WA
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Low voltage issues can cause a myriad of issues, especially if the car has been sitting for a period of time.
I was chasing an AC issue and was disconnecting my battery to test some things and ended up with a C1255 code (without the warning message), a pull key, wait 10 seconds (which I haven’t seen in 4 years of ownership) and a bunch of other codes.
I cleared all the codes and charged up my battery and I’m code free. I had gotten sporadic C1255 codes in the past, all if the car sat 2-3 weeks for whatever reason.
I mean, it’s also likely that the EBCM is truly fried, but sometimes you can come back.
I was chasing an AC issue and was disconnecting my battery to test some things and ended up with a C1255 code (without the warning message), a pull key, wait 10 seconds (which I haven’t seen in 4 years of ownership) and a bunch of other codes.
I cleared all the codes and charged up my battery and I’m code free. I had gotten sporadic C1255 codes in the past, all if the car sat 2-3 weeks for whatever reason.
I mean, it’s also likely that the EBCM is truly fried, but sometimes you can come back.
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Thread Starter
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The seller said they have used a battery tender for years. Was not driven much in the the last few years. Has 83k miles on it now. Thanks for the information and appreciate the advice. It is a beautiful car. If I can get it for the right price. I can take the time to get it fixed right.
