jframe

With 20 years experience in four different dealership parts departments, I can tell you that items are discontinued simply because of the laws of supply and demand. It's all about PROFIT. If a company is not selling enough of part number OU812 widget, they will stop buying them, bottom line. Time has nothing to do with discontinuation of parts, other than dropping of demand. I've seen Ford discontinue stuff that wasn't two or three years old.

phoenix1017

I have a 2000 convert and my brother has a 1999 covert and we are both having these issues. If any new news comes I'd like to be informed/included. Thanks!

racebum

i think honda is the best about this. they stock all kinds of obsolete parts for honda/acura cars going back to 1990

GM and ford are probably the worst. i called ford the other day to get a trans dust plug {worthless part really} for a 2005 ford focus. guess what? discontinued

the 2001-2004 c5 doesn't seem to be too bad yet unless you want interior pieces

keep in mind even the c6 isn't immune. the ls2 was discontinued before the c6 was out of production

Dirty 30

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/w...ing#fragment-3

Dirty 30

http://www.autopartoo.com/oem/airtex/5s6337.html

Dirty 30

Ok, all of those seem to be discontinued. I see that sensor GM 26058287 is also a 6-pin and looks very similar with the spring being the only external physical difference. I just ordered one on ebay for $110 and will try it on my '99 C5 once it gets here. Its also sold as Wells SU7849. Wish us luck!

chuckeb84

luck

StrangelovesM6Vert

Here's a used one on ebay for 200.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-97-98-C5-Corvette-Steering-Column-Position-Sensor-26055808-sms-/390724037516?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACorvette&hash=item5af8f7ab8c&vxp=mtr
Don't dither if you want it

c5autoxracer

So did that part work I am 99 C owner and desperate for a solution

GMGiuffre

Has anyone found a solution for this? I know some electrical engineer has to own a 99-00 corvette with the same issue and loves to tinker....

wolfinme

Be the one who develops the aftermarket replacement steering sensor and laugh all the way to the bank!

racebum

sure

and it's what the american car companies do

you can walk into honda and buy 95% of parts for a 1996 civic, they support their cars, ford and chevy do not

dodge is probably the best of the 3 having a LOT of older jeep / chrysler parts available

rodsvet

This Vette is the last chevy vehicle I'll ever buy. There is no integrity left at GM after the bankruptcy.

Pounder

Have a brother that thinks like you, he had a 04 Chevy HD and had a few issues, (I could have fixed easily) So he buys a Ford truck, down the road he finds out its going to cost him $1000.00 for spark plugs, then his alt. went out and burned out the whole dash 1500.00,then the engine has a ticking noise,cam followers another grand !!!!! (less than 120,000 miles) He hated GM now he has two new GM trucks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every car has its problems !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rodsvet

Paul, prior to 2007, chevy took better care of customers. You having worked for them must have seen the changes. Steering wheel positioner, ECBM, And many of the smaller parts are just dropped and in some cases the cars cannot be registered and driven. You are correct about all cars having their problems, but generally parts to repair are available. At least in the aftermarket. I drive a Ford F150 at work and Ford wanted $980 to change plugs and coils. I did it for $190 and 45 minutes in time. Just my vent for the day! No offense meant to you guys who keep them running, Rod

Pounder

I'm just a GM guy all the way, all I have ever owned, had three gm trucks go over 200,000 miles with very few problems . If I could not get parts for my 15 year old car I wouldn't blame GM . I hope I don't have to find a ecbm or other parts!!!! That said, I love the 99 vette !!!!! All I was saying is what faults GM has Ford or others have theirs also !!!

lionelhutz

Check a Honda forum and they're saying the same thing about GM.

rodsvet

You guys are probably right. It just pisses me off that a major part that is essential to the car is not obtainable except as a used part that may or may not be any good. If the car just would lose it's active handling or ABS it would be no big deal but having the dash light up and the engine go into reduced power or go crazy at freeway speed without warning is what makes me not trust chevy anymore. On my earlier Vettes these features were not even thought of, and I never even thought about it. In those days we just knew how to drive. Sorry for the rants, Rod

4DRUSH

I have my complete steering column out of my 97 which only had about 20k miles at time of removal.

What's the best way to remove the steering position sensor so it can be easily installed in another car?

pm_vette

Try Autozone. I have a 2000 coupe. Original GM#26058286. Duralast replacement SU7848.