Help! feeling discouraged
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Wesley Chapel Florida
Help! feeling discouraged
Hey guys,
I have loved corvettes for the past 20 years and finally bought my first one last year. It is a 2005 6spd z51. Unfortunately I have already my share of problems. I have had "no start" issues which was from the steering column lock failing. It has been to the dealer 6 times the past year for the same issue and the tell me every time it's something different. First was a bad battery, then I needed a new fuse block, then they replaced the column lock motor, now they say i need a new column lock module. Is the module and motor different? Every once in a while I notice an oil spot in my driveway and can't find any leaks but a few months ago before I was due for an oil change my " check oil " message came on and I was a few qts low. I am so upset that my dream car has been such a let down and I feel like I should just trade it in. Any help or words of encouragement would be appreciated. Did I just get the short straw on this car and deal with it and put more money into it or cut my losses? Thanks. John
I have loved corvettes for the past 20 years and finally bought my first one last year. It is a 2005 6spd z51. Unfortunately I have already my share of problems. I have had "no start" issues which was from the steering column lock failing. It has been to the dealer 6 times the past year for the same issue and the tell me every time it's something different. First was a bad battery, then I needed a new fuse block, then they replaced the column lock motor, now they say i need a new column lock module. Is the module and motor different? Every once in a while I notice an oil spot in my driveway and can't find any leaks but a few months ago before I was due for an oil change my " check oil " message came on and I was a few qts low. I am so upset that my dream car has been such a let down and I feel like I should just trade it in. Any help or words of encouragement would be appreciated. Did I just get the short straw on this car and deal with it and put more money into it or cut my losses? Thanks. John
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 5
From: Orange CA
Sorry to hear that you are having problems... I haven't heard of those issues being common. Try to find a corvette specialist to check it out. Dealers are not always the smartest and just replace things hoping it fixes the problem. Hope things get better!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
well..
A lot of 2005 cars are great... but if you came here first... you would have avoided the 2005... It is the FIRST year on a new car... People get them fixed... and they are great... But... they are not all created equal... just saying...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
The car has a thing called dead battery syndrome(dbs on this forum) that was prone to some 05 manual tranny cars.There is a reflash out for the computer from GM.
There was a TSB also on the column lock issue too. There's a thing called column lock bypass that was out for c5's and i think it works for 05 c6's too.SEARCH function up top and the FAQ'S section will give you lots of info.As for the oil,I had the same light come on in my 05 when i had it and it was usually a half quart low.SOMETIMES.I found the leak when reinstalling the stock mufflers.It was in the back of the car behind the drive shaft and in front of the rear axle.I don't know what's there but it was wet with oil when i stuck my hand up in there.
There was a TSB also on the column lock issue too. There's a thing called column lock bypass that was out for c5's and i think it works for 05 c6's too.SEARCH function up top and the FAQ'S section will give you lots of info.As for the oil,I had the same light come on in my 05 when i had it and it was usually a half quart low.SOMETIMES.I found the leak when reinstalling the stock mufflers.It was in the back of the car behind the drive shaft and in front of the rear axle.I don't know what's there but it was wet with oil when i stuck my hand up in there.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 290
Likes: 4
ive got an 05 and ive yet to have any of these problems. Its only got less than 13k miles on it but still. I'm quite happy with mine, just have to remember to shift into reverse when parking, but it not hard to remember considering it tells you on the dash and beeps constantly at you hah good luck with yours
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Not trying to nag you, but you've been on here a year. Have you done a search on '05s? On the various issues you are experiencing? Above C6 Gen is a red band, in that band is the word "search". Use it, go advanced, type in your key words on teh top left. Limit date range to say last six months. Limit search areas to general and maybe technical.
While you're at it, there's a suggestion in this thread about finding a corvette specialist besides the dealership. It's a good suggestion.
What have you done to that extent?
While you're at it, there's a suggestion in this thread about finding a corvette specialist besides the dealership. It's a good suggestion.
What have you done to that extent?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,776
Likes: 11
Hey guys,
I have loved corvettes for the past 20 years and finally bought my first one last year. It is a 2005 6spd z51. Unfortunately I have already my share of problems. I have had "no start" issues which was from the steering column lock failing. It has been to the dealer 6 times the past year for the same issue and the tell me every time it's something different. First was a bad battery, then I needed a new fuse block, then they replaced the column lock motor, now they say i need a new column lock module. Is the module and motor different? Every once in a while I notice an oil spot in my driveway and can't find any leaks but a few months ago before I was due for an oil change my " check oil " message came on and I was a few qts low. I am so upset that my dream car has been such a let down and I feel like I should just trade it in. Any help or words of encouragement would be appreciated. Did I just get the short straw on this car and deal with it and put more money into it or cut my losses? Thanks. John
I have loved corvettes for the past 20 years and finally bought my first one last year. It is a 2005 6spd z51. Unfortunately I have already my share of problems. I have had "no start" issues which was from the steering column lock failing. It has been to the dealer 6 times the past year for the same issue and the tell me every time it's something different. First was a bad battery, then I needed a new fuse block, then they replaced the column lock motor, now they say i need a new column lock module. Is the module and motor different? Every once in a while I notice an oil spot in my driveway and can't find any leaks but a few months ago before I was due for an oil change my " check oil " message came on and I was a few qts low. I am so upset that my dream car has been such a let down and I feel like I should just trade it in. Any help or words of encouragement would be appreciated. Did I just get the short straw on this car and deal with it and put more money into it or cut my losses? Thanks. John
As to the Column Lock, there was supposed to be a related TSB or recall to deal with that. I had that done to my '05 and have never had an issue since. I've never heard of anyone needing a new fuse block!
How often are you checking your oil? I do it every time I get gas. Are you telling me you had NO oil showing on your dipstick? What does your oil life sensor tell you in the DIC?
If you keep having issues, you just may have gotten a bad one and a trade may make sense. Best of luck.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 32
From: Baytown, Texas
Had an '05 the car sucked. Had problems galore. Was glad when it was totaled in a flash flood in '06. Was too discouraged in Chevy to buy an '06. Wife talked me in to buying her an '08. The car was 10 times better than the '05. She now have a '12 GS CE vert. This car is better than the '08. Trade the '05 in on a new '12 base coupe I believe they are selling for low 40's or high 39's and don't look back.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 362
From: Maumelle AR
Hey guys,
I have loved corvettes for the past 20 years and finally bought my first one last year. It is a 2005 6spd z51. Unfortunately I have already my share of problems. I have had "no start" issues which was from the steering column lock failing. It has been to the dealer 6 times the past year for the same issue and the tell me every time it's something different. First was a bad battery, then I needed a new fuse block, then they replaced the column lock motor, now they say i need a new column lock module. Is the module and motor different? Every once in a while I notice an oil spot in my driveway and can't find any leaks but a few months ago before I was due for an oil change my " check oil " message came on and I was a few qts low. I am so upset that my dream car has been such a let down and I feel like I should just trade it in. Any help or words of encouragement would be appreciated. Did I just get the short straw on this car and deal with it and put more money into it or cut my losses? Thanks. John
I have loved corvettes for the past 20 years and finally bought my first one last year. It is a 2005 6spd z51. Unfortunately I have already my share of problems. I have had "no start" issues which was from the steering column lock failing. It has been to the dealer 6 times the past year for the same issue and the tell me every time it's something different. First was a bad battery, then I needed a new fuse block, then they replaced the column lock motor, now they say i need a new column lock module. Is the module and motor different? Every once in a while I notice an oil spot in my driveway and can't find any leaks but a few months ago before I was due for an oil change my " check oil " message came on and I was a few qts low. I am so upset that my dream car has been such a let down and I feel like I should just trade it in. Any help or words of encouragement would be appreciated. Did I just get the short straw on this car and deal with it and put more money into it or cut my losses? Thanks. John
Last edited by Stew24; Jul 6, 2012 at 11:13 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: Tampa FL
Yes, you need to get in touch with Pewter 99. He's a moderator on here and drives a Z. There is a shop in Tampa that he uses and he swears by it. All they do is work on Vettes and other performance engines. They know the Z well. I believe it's called PowerTech.
I am going to check that out at some point in the future. I use the Corvette Shop on Dale Mabry. I'm happy with them as well.
I would take my car to either one of those two shops before taking it to Dimmitt, Ferman or any of the other dealerships in the Tampa Bay area. Of the dealerships, Sting Ray in Plant City seems to have a good reputation but I've never used them.
I am going to check that out at some point in the future. I use the Corvette Shop on Dale Mabry. I'm happy with them as well.
I would take my car to either one of those two shops before taking it to Dimmitt, Ferman or any of the other dealerships in the Tampa Bay area. Of the dealerships, Sting Ray in Plant City seems to have a good reputation but I've never used them.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
I had 2 different 05 coupes, one a manual tranny, one an automatic. Had them for a total of 21 months and 22,000 miles. Didn't have any problems at all with either of them.
So the 05 model was a little more prone to problems than the later ones, but not all of them had problems.
Just remember that it was the first model year.
Hope you get all your problems fixed without too much more aggravation and expense.
So the 05 model was a little more prone to problems than the later ones, but not all of them had problems.
Just remember that it was the first model year.
Hope you get all your problems fixed without too much more aggravation and expense.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Wesley Chapel Florida
Thanks for all the advice. I have done searches on here for the column lock issue. That is how I was able to tell the dealer that the problem was not my battery or fuse block. I was thinking about the bypass also, but will that void my extended warranty? I have heard mixed things about the shop on Dale Mabry. I have been in there many times to look around but never had them do any work for me. My oil life was around 15% when the light came on, I added a quart to have the light go off and then changed the oil 2 days later. I was only low about one dot on the stick. The car is at Ferman right now and say they cant fix it until next Friday because the part is coming from Michigan.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 22,438
Likes: 85
From: Born: Mexico City Live:San Antonio, Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Northwest, AR
I believe I would find the dealership nearest me that was a higher volume Corvette seller. At least that would be some indication that their shop has some exposure to the car, which is more than you can say for Chevy dealers in smaller markets. I would let them take a shot at making my problems go away. If they could not make that happen, I would trade it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
Thanks for all the advice. I have done searches on here for the column lock issue. That is how I was able to tell the dealer that the problem was not my battery or fuse block. I was thinking about the bypass also, but will that void my extended warranty? I have heard mixed things about the shop on Dale Mabry. I have been in there many times to look around but never had them do any work for me. My oil life was around 15% when the light came on, I added a quart to have the light go off and then changed the oil 2 days later. I was only low about one dot on the stick. The car is at Ferman right now and say they cant fix it until next Friday because the part is coming from Michigan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
I had an 05 coupe. Traded it in with 78K miles on it. Never used a drop of oil. Only had 1 problem with it in over 2 years of ownership. The drivers door would not open sometimes. Got it fixed, cost me $100 thanks to Chevy Customer Service. Loved the car.
Sorry to hear about your problems. Good luck.
Sorry to hear about your problems. Good luck.
