OK, so last year had the dealer perform the recall on my 2000 C5 to correct the column lock. Yesterday, got the error message again, and installed the CLB. Did not fix the error ( by the way my column was not and is not locked ). Before I freak out too much, are there any other simple causes for this message, i.e. low battery voltage? What else can I do? Had a really bad experience with the dealer last time.

 

Manual trans or Auto? It makes a difference.

Definitely low battery will cause the symptoms. Did you find a GM K Harness installed when you went to install the CLB? After the CLB install did you clear the error messages from the DIC and any DTC's that may have been set in the BCM?? Disconnect the neg battery cable for at least 10 minutes to clear these.

 

Auto trans. No, I did not try resetting by disconnecting thr battery cable. I'll try that and check out the battery, it could be weak, static it read 12.3V, but I haven't checked the cranking voltage yet.

 

Voltage of 12.3 if that was read across the battery posts with no key in the ignition using a digital volt meter is way too low. The electronics in the column lock system require a minimum of 12.5 volts to function correctly. Forget the cranking measurement. The column lock function is run by the BCM long before you try to start the car. If you used the dash gages to read that number forget the readings. Dash gages cannot tell you the state of health of the battery. With the engine running you read the output voltage of the alternator. With engine off and key on there are many electrical circuits loading the battery so the reading means nothing.

I suggest that you charge the battery fully using a battery tender style charger that will stop charging once full charge is reached. A functional battery at full charge will measure between 12.7 and 12.9 volts or higher. Then disconnect the neg battery cable at least overnight. Next morning check the voltage again. If it's back down to 12.5 volts or lower you have a bad battery as it does not hold a charge with no load attached.

While you are charging the battery insure that if you had the GM K Harness installed that you disconnected both ends of the K Harness and plugged the CLB into the female connector that is attached to the bottom of the dash. A GM K Harness looks like this:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...l-locking.html

Then scroll to post #8.

If you plugged the CLB into a female connector that has only two wires, one white and one purple, you have it connected to the GM K Harness and it will NOT work. Disconnect both ends of the K Harness and plug the CLB into the female connector attached to the bottom of the dash.

 

Thanks I appreciate the info. I've already removed the K harness and installed a CLB. I'll start back at the beginning after insuring I've got a good battery.

 

Don't forget to clean your key pellet with alchahol too.