Little help?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Gilroy Ca
Little help?
Hey guys, I am new to this forum and to Corvette ownership.
I just bought a used 2005 Corvette yesterday. Unfortunately I don't know all the modifications (if any) have been done to it.
I do know that it has aftermarket wheels. And an aftermarket Pioneer deck/navigation.
I am already experiencing a problem, and it appears to be a common one.
Driving around town in normal traffic the car performs fine. When I get on the freeway, the odometer goes away and it says traction control. The car feels sluggish. Like a loss of power. If I turn off the traction control via the button on the center console, full power is restored and the car takes off (man what a rush on the power).
I don't know anything about this car. So please bear with me if you ask me for more information and I don't know what you are talking about.
Thanks.
I just bought a used 2005 Corvette yesterday. Unfortunately I don't know all the modifications (if any) have been done to it.
I do know that it has aftermarket wheels. And an aftermarket Pioneer deck/navigation.
I am already experiencing a problem, and it appears to be a common one.
Driving around town in normal traffic the car performs fine. When I get on the freeway, the odometer goes away and it says traction control. The car feels sluggish. Like a loss of power. If I turn off the traction control via the button on the center console, full power is restored and the car takes off (man what a rush on the power).
I don't know anything about this car. So please bear with me if you ask me for more information and I don't know what you are talking about.
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,236
Likes: 121
From: Short Hills, NJ
It's very likely one of three things (or all of them)...the aftermarket wheels (or more specifically, the tires) are notably different from stock in overall diameter and the ABS/Active Handling/Traction Control cannot compensate.
The difference in overall diameter/height from the front tires to the back tires is much greater than stock and the ABS/Active Handling/Traction Control cannot compensate.
And/or your TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System/Sensors) are missing from the wheels which is unlikely because you'd probably get more messages on the DIC.
You might just have to hit that button every time you drive the car.
The difference in overall diameter/height from the front tires to the back tires is much greater than stock and the ABS/Active Handling/Traction Control cannot compensate.
And/or your TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System/Sensors) are missing from the wheels which is unlikely because you'd probably get more messages on the DIC.
You might just have to hit that button every time you drive the car.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Gilroy Ca
Are there any short or long term negative affects to this?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
There's your problem right there. I'm assuming they're not run flats and you got 4 flats? You need to get the sensors either checked or installed correctly. The car thinks you got 4 flats and is trying to compensate by reducing power.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,236
Likes: 121
From: Short Hills, NJ
I'm almost positive that this is your reduced power/'traction control active' problem.
Read more about it here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ms-videos.html
http://www.corvetteguys.com/corvette-tpms-tool.html
None at all, other than not having your Traction Control on when you might want/need to.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,236
Likes: 121
From: Short Hills, NJ
Now, can it show '0' if there are no sensors in there at all or would that only show 'XX' as well?
To complicate matters even worse, not all years of C6 necessarily act/react the same to bad or omitted TPM sensors when it comes to DIC codes/warnings. 2005s seem to be in a world of their own with the 2006+ cars acting more similar but not always exactly the same either.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 33
From: S.D. CA
I have an 05...(purchased in 2004). Just last week a sensor wnt to "0" as soon as I got on the freeway. All the bells and whistles went off and I got the message on the DIC. It went back to 32 PSI and all was normal again.
I think the batteries are just going bad (old age). The sensors are 7 years old...Could be the same for your car... its just time to replace them.
I think the batteries are just going bad (old age). The sensors are 7 years old...Could be the same for your car... its just time to replace them.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Sounds like the previous owne liked to do mods without understanding what he was doing. Hopefully, he didn't dick up anything else on the car.
Are the tires and wheels the proper (stock) size? If not, you could also have Active Handling problems.
If you get tired of messing with those wheels, you can usually buy good condition stock wheels on Craigslist for something like $300/set. And perhaps sell the other ones for a small profit. Tires will be more expensive...
Are the tires and wheels the proper (stock) size? If not, you could also have Active Handling problems.
If you get tired of messing with those wheels, you can usually buy good condition stock wheels on Craigslist for something like $300/set. And perhaps sell the other ones for a small profit. Tires will be more expensive...
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Jul 28, 2011 at 05:37 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Gilroy Ca
Ok, so it sounds like I might need to have the sensors checked or replaced. I guess the next question is, is there a list of reputable Corvette shops? I don't trust taking that car to wheel works or any corner shop. I could imagine someone abusing the car on a "test ride".
Or, how common is the sensor tool? I can't see dropping $200+ on a tool I might only use once (if it even a pairing issue).
Or, how common is the sensor tool? I can't see dropping $200+ on a tool I might only use once (if it even a pairing issue).
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Do you have a Discount Tire shop around you? The one I go to is run very well and they are real professional and don't screw around. You can stand right there and watch them work. They can take care of it. I'd actually rather go there than the dealer.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 33
From: Southern cali
ok ... I know i am late to this thread but I would like to confirm that in fact you can get a 0 tire pressure reading from a malfunctioning TPMS. It has happened to me twice with two different sensors --- I tried to reprogram them and they would not hold the programing.
As for a programmer -- I bought mine for about $30 ... I can't remember which vendor I bought it from --- works great.
I am not sure where Gilroy, CA is located but if it was reasonable close to me, you could borrow mine. Also, Ebay has numerous sensors for sale at reasonable prices.
As for a programmer -- I bought mine for about $30 ... I can't remember which vendor I bought it from --- works great.
I am not sure where Gilroy, CA is located but if it was reasonable close to me, you could borrow mine. Also, Ebay has numerous sensors for sale at reasonable prices.