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Looking to buy a 1999 c5 convt but am very worried about the ebcm issues.the car has 69000 miles and looks in nice shape but I am really worried about this part going bad.do they all fail
No, they don't all fail.
Even if it fails you can still drive the car.
While on the test drive perform a stop that should activate the ABS. Or ask the owner to perform such a stop while you're in the car. If the anti-lock brakes engage the system is working so the traction control is likely working too.
If you are worried about one or more of the '97 - '00 specific components, you may want to look for a later model year. I have owned my '99 snice 2014 and literally nothing has failed. One new battery, a set of tires, a set of TPMS, and regular maintenance in these 8 years. So my reliability has been very good.
If my car were to be totaled tomorrow, would I buy a '99 now? No. In hindsight, and if I had known back in 2014 what I know now, I would have looked for an '01 or later model year OR bought a few components while they were still available, like an EBCM, to keep as spares.
My opinion, if it's not broken now, don't let it sway your decision, it's not some part that is guaranteed to break or anything. It failed in my 2001 and I had to have it rebuilt along with two ignition switches and multiple other electronic issues. My 2000 (with the ebcm that cant be repaied) I have had zero issues with it.
Any C5 could have an issue with it. Its a 20+ year old used car. If it's nice and it's the one you want, get it.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
NCM Member '09
Originally Posted by MosEspa
My opinion, if it's not broken now, don't let it sway your decision, it's not some part that is guaranteed to break or anything. It failed in my 2001 and I had to have it rebuilt along with two ignition switches and multiple other electronic issues. My 2000 (with the ebcm that cant be repaied) I have had zero issues with it.
Any C5 could have an issue with it. Its a 20+ year old used car. If it's nice and it's the one you want, get it.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Oldtimer
The "What if's" can have a real and uncomfortable effect on the Corvette buyer, but if you weight all the "What If's" you'll do nothing and get nothing. I say if the other 99.9% is Ok and working just go with it. I have an 03 and my EBCM quit working and I have a problem with it, but sooner or later I will find a workable answer to the problem, you will too !
I would buy the 99 if you like it and want it. Here is the other side of the coin................
I have a 2000 with 45,000 miles. I have replaced the EBCM twice. It is a great car.
Good luck
I’m the original owner of a 98 that has not had the problems that are always spoken about. I have been on this site for a long time. In my opinion the 01to 04 has a more chronic problem than the early cars. If I was looking at the C5s I would look at the later cars only because they may still be able to be repaired. But, I would not pass on an early car if I came across one with low mileage that has been well maintained.
Seems like the later "repairable" EBCM's are more problematic but they are at least repairable. I see lots of posts from 01-04 owners having issues with them, way more than 97-00 owners.
C5 Corvette earliest year cars are best cars, most loved cars, and defined as such by hundreds of thousands of happy Corvette owners across the country! Our EBCM works and is just fine, thank you.
I'vew written this several times in other posts -- the EBCM issue is grossly overstated. The problem is that you hear about it more often because when it fails, you can't buy the part new -- you have to buy it used, and it costs around $1k. And people (justifiably) complain about it.
Keep in mind though that even with '01 and newer, if the EBCM fails, it can't be fixed in *all* instances, depends on how it fails. It's just more fixable than earlier ebcms (the issue is how they sealed the early ebcms, by essentially dipping them in a form of epoxy-- if something on the board goes, it's nigh impossible to fix. Not so on later models, but there are still many circumstances where if the later EBCMs fail, you're buying a new one)
The EBCM is a solid state PCB. Under ordinary circumstances, it will not die. IT will not wear out. It will outlkast you and your children, easily. There are many, many people who have an early c5 that have not and will never have an EBCM failure..
If you REALLY feel worried about it, build in about $1,000 extra into whatever the price is you're paying, buy a replacement, and stick it on the shelf. Done.
My advice -- if you found THE car, and it just happens to be an '00 or earlier, get it. I'd suggest getting the newest car that hits all your checkboxes, but don't nix the '00 and earlier for the EBCM issue.
175000 miles on my '99. ECBM, no problems. Tanny, rear end never opened. Torque tube bushings beat up, rubber under the chassis, and other suspension links replaced Overall, not a lot of maintenance over the years. New seat covers and carpet a few years ago. Need to fix the passenger power door lock now. '99 last year to have key locks in both doors. Only reason engine replaced was to make it go a lot faster. I have no regrets having bought the car. George.
The EBCM is a solid state PCB. Under ordinary circumstances, it will not die. IT will not wear out. It will outlkast you and your children, easily.
I disagree with the idea that solid state components fail so rarely they will outlast you and your children.
Compared with components solid state was a big step forward but they are not infallible. Solid state components fail regularly in millions of applications. There are whole industries dedicated to maintaining and repairing them.
The dim HVAC controller is an example on our C5s. The resistors chosen are slightly undersized regarding power handling capactiy, so they dissipate less heat than larger ones would, thermal cycling the solder joints which causes them to eventually crack.
Consider too that there are many PCBs in the C5 that we rarely discuss. Those failure rates are much lower than the EBCM. Something about the EBCM system is far more failure prone than many systems on the C5 that use other PCBs.
I have literally hundreds of schematics on my PC right now for the sole purpose of troubleshooting issues with PCBs in the comparatively tiny pinball industry.
In my experience it's not at all unusual for some component in the system to fail.
Last edited by Dads2kconvertible; 09-16-2023 at 12:51 PM.
No worry man! A few parts, Engine Radiator, Engine starter motor, Beaucout tires, and Delco batterys gone bad..... Strong, correctly designed chromed Wagon Wheels don't crap out and crack!! .. "All but a few" ebcm continue to operate the sportscar as designed by the brilliant and legendary group of C5 men and women designers on the project.... Those Corvette designers have obliterated GM's bad design history, always fighting the past discretionary practice of using cheap *** GM parts.. Your concern recalls a smile, teeth and freckles. "What, me worry" 😁 as said, back in the day, by what's his name, the "freckles and teeth" guy.
Looking to buy a 1999 c5 convt but am very worried about the ebcm issues.the car has 69000 miles and looks in nice shape but I am really worried about this part going bad.do they all fail
my 99 one worked when i bought it i think i saw a place on ebay that rebuilds the ebcm for 300-400$ if it were bad.
09-09-2023, 12:29 PM
Ebcm 1999
Mine has been just fine as well....*knocks wood*.
