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Shorting out the Computer while fueling

Dom

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2005
Messages
104
Location
Freehold NJ
Corvette
Formerly 2006 Le Mans Blue & 2001 Pewter
Any truth to the myth that if you don't follow proper proceedures refueling that you can short the C5 computer?:confused
 
And what myth might that be?

Turning the engine off?
Not smoking?
Or Discharging yourself to the pump before filling?
 
Dom said:
Any truth to the myth that if you don't follow proper proceedures refueling that you can short the C5 computer?:confused

Try wearing a copper-crystal-magnet bracelet on the arm that handles the nozzle, and shake a small rubber chicken over the car while chanting Yaqui Indian protective spells... =;-]

But seriously, if the engine is off, as it should be, the metal pump nozzle is grounded internally to the pump and station ground and any static charge present on the car will be discharged to the nozzle as you insert it into the fill port before any fuel is actually flowing.

How this could affect the PCM I don't understand, who told you this?
 
Dom,
I did a quick search through the knowledgebase, and I could only find one TSB on a fuel refueling situation. It doesn't appear to have anything to do with potentially shorting out the computer, which tells me the issue you're describing is not a common one. I'm curious, too, where did you hear this?

-Patrick
 
Try wearing a copper-crystal-magnet bracelet on the arm that handles the nozzle, and shake a small rubber chicken over the car while chanting Yaqui Indian protective spells... =;-]
No - - thats for pick up trucks. For a Corvette you have to wear a pointed hat fashioned out of Tin foil with a FEATHER of a chicken hawk placed on the right hand side near the first fold. I think Mac or Ken may have a picture.;)

Randy:D
 
Some quack stopped me in the gas station and said that although he liked my car, he would never get a C5 because of the problems they have shorting out the computer while refueling. I ignored him and politely laughed it off, but it certainly was food for thought and I started to think "Holy Crap -I hope I dont screw up with my new ride". So I figured I might as well ask the experts here.

Thank you all!!!
 
If if walks like a quack.....

Seriously though, the only problems I am aware of are static discharge if the potential is not equallised between the car and the gas pump, and spilled gas that will set off the DIC and tell you that there is a problem with fumes in the vehicle.
Oh, and don't talk on the cell phone while you are refueling.
Any one of these are fire hazards.
 
Dom said:
Any truth to the myth that if you don't follow proper proceedures refueling that you can short the C5 computer?:confused

Hi there,
There is only one thing that I can think of.

Key off, and out of the ignition.

DO NOT ANSWER YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE FUELING.

Other than that, you will be just fine..

Allthebest, c4c5
 
wishuwerehere82 said:
If if walks like a quack.....

...... Oh, and don't talk on the cell phone while you are refueling.
Any one of these are fire hazards.

The myth busters on the Discovery Channel tried their best to ignite a fire during fueling operations with a cell phone. The result....:MYTH BUSTED!!

fuggetaboutit!!

Rest assured your C5 is just fine during fueling ops. So get out there and burn some gasoline!!!:lou (Thanks Rob!)

:w
 
They could be referring to the fuel gauge (or gage) slash sending unit problem in which the gage will bounce to empty at about 2/3rds tank or remain stuck at 2/3rds tank even when empty. While not the computer this could be what they are referring to.
 
c4c5specialist said:
DO NOT ANSWER YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE FUELING.

Didn't Mythbusters do a test with cell phones and gasoline? I remember watching it and them coming up empty on making it explode.
 
I think so, but its just a safety precaution IMO.
The minute spark when you press the talk key is supposed to be the ignition source.
Thats just what has been talked about.
Ok, I am very confused man.:D
This is a funny thread though.
Allthebest, c4c5
 
Yeah I heard getting in and out of your car is the worst thing you can do. Since when you slide in, and out you could build up a static charge then discharge it on the gas filler, and BOOM.
 
Vettefan87 said:
Yeah I heard getting in and out of your car is the worst thing you can do. Since when you slide in, and out you could build up a static charge then discharge it on the gas filler, and BOOM.

That is my understanding, too. I saw the mythbusters episode (busted!).
 
c4c5specialist said:
I think so, but its just a safety precaution IMO.
The minute spark when you press the talk key is supposed to be the ignition source.
Thats just what has been talked about.
Ok, I am very confused man.:D
This is a funny thread though.
Allthebest, c4c5

I heard through the grapevine that if you eat at TacoBell then hold a lit match behind your butt and fart at the gas station it will shoot a flame out and possibly set off a gas explosion when it hits the fumes coming out of the vents on the 5,000 gallon gas tanks under the ground and blow the whole block to he77.......may just be a Myth....:L
 
[QUOTE='04 Torch Red]I heard through the grapevine that if you eat at TacoBell then hold a lit match behind your butt and fart it will shoot a flame out [/QUOTE]

That is true. Don't ask me how I know...

You, too, can be a member of the 'blue flame club'. Be sure to wear some kind of pants.
 
DRTH VTR said:
That is true. Don't ask me how I know...

You, too, can be a member of the 'blue flame club'.


uh.................no thanks:gap
 
vette-dude said:
No - - thats for pick up trucks. For a Corvette you have to wear a pointed hat fashioned out of Tin foil with a FEATHER of a chicken hawk placed on the right hand side near the first fold. I think Mac or Ken may have a picture.;)

Randy:D
nope , the tin foil hat is a ground......:L
tinfoil-jeffrey.jpg
 

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