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HELP - I have a 2004 Z06 with 15,000 miles on it, I have not been able to drive it much in the last couple of months and the battery has gotten a little weak so it struggles to starts but it does. Yesterday when I decided to clean her up for a GTG I want to attend tomorrow I got the dreaded "Service Column Lock" call out on the DIC. After I cleaned her up and started the engine it happened again ( battery still weak ), do you think the low charge of the battery has anything to do with this ?
What would you do - go on the GTG ( or ) stay home and watch the NFL playoffs
Additionally, what's the bottom line fix for this issue - CLB ?
Spend the $ 50 and use 1/2 hour of your time to install a CLB. Not putting one on a manual tranny Z06 is just asking for trouble. Do not be an idiot stranded 66 miles from home becuase you did not install one.
INSTALL CLB
Its not that hard to install. Im a rookie when it comes to cars and it took me about 30min to install. It was the first thing I installed when I bought my 03Z of 17,000miles. Oh and look at buying a new battery anyways.
Heres an install link http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html
INSTALL CLB
Its not that hard to install. Im a rookie when it comes to cars and it took me about 30min to install. It was the first thing I installed when I bought my 03Z of 17,000miles. Oh and look at buying a new battery anyways.
Heres an install link http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html
Thank you ! I really want to go on the GTG, it has been 70 degrees for the last 3 days and we will be driving through some mountain roads down to PCH by the ocean for lunch - approx. 20 Vettes going
Thanks for the great battery info. I will make sure that I monitor it closely.
Has anyone used the testers that Harbor Freight sells? They are not very expensive.
Don't waste you money on CLB, just keep battery up and get the one rated for your car, not a cheapie or lessor rated battery and you will be fine.
If the battery was the only problem, why did GM have several different column lock recalls? The column lock solenoids have a huge failure rate. True, it does take more reserve amps to release the solenoid than it does to start the car, but even with the proper battery, the solenoids do get stuck in the locked position.
I would not leave home with a C5 that did not have a clb installed, and a fully charged correct battery can still leave you with a stuck column lock. Your advice is incorrect. If your solenoid fails in the locked position, you can buy the biggest battery in the world and it won't release. Then you are f****d! Ingnorance is bliss until reality hits....install the column lock bypass. It's just a matter of time before it fails.
I am researching batteries, which one would you get ?
I might consider a CLB also........
Why would you leave a system intact that will leave you stranded even if you have a brand new correct battery?
Why would you leave a system intact that will leave you stranded if your battery is slightly run down?
Why would you leave a system in your car that is known to fail and will cost around $2000 to fix at the dealer and still be likely to fail again.
$50 and your worries are over.
Last edited by wildwall; Jan 19, 2011 at 09:35 AM.
Why would you leave a system intact that will leave you stranded even if you have a brand correct battery?
Why would you leave a system intact that will leave you stranded if your battery is slightly run down?
Why would you leave a system in your car that is known to fail and will cost around $2000 to fix at the dealer and still be likely to fail again.
$50 and your worries are over.
The Vettes on jack stands in my garage right now so I can change ALL the fluids and part of my service work is replacing the battery - so I am researching that aspect
The column lock issue will also be researched further and the CLB is being considered, since I will be having it dynotuned after the service they might me able to solve it that why also ?
The Vettes on jack stands in my garage right now so I can change ALL the fluids and part of my service work is replacing the battery - so I am researching that aspect
The column lock issue will also be researched further and the CLB is being considered, since I will be having it dynotuned after the service they might me able to solve it that why also ?
I prefer to act then re-act, so we will see
Dyno tuning not the same. Do yourself a huge favor and put one in for all the reasons noted.
If your tuner has the ability to reset the speed limit on the column lock you'll want to do that as well. Someone else may chime in here, but I believe they need a TECH2. Even with the column lock bypass you can still be stranded if the "Pull key wait 10 seconds" appears and fully sets. You'll be able to turn the steering wheel but you won't be able to pass 2MPH, so the limit needs to be raised to 150MPH.
As stated before, IT'S NOT JUST THE BATTERY!! GM has tried to fix mine three times until I finally learned the hard way, but I was lucky 'cause on the fourth occurrance I at least had the bypass in the car and I was in my driveway. I agree that the battery can be a contributing factor, but it's not the only factor.
This has been a major issue for years. I read about it here back in early 2007 when I first got my zo6. I ordered it before I had the car and installed it the first weekend. I have a few friends with c5's and two of them have had it lock-up. One of them we got to release and I installed one in his car.....trouble gone. If you ever have to take it to the dealer, they will program in the 2 mile an hour thing as part of the recall. They don't have that from the factory.
It's the cheapest insurance policy you will ever buy.
Also be aware of the abs computer failure and the door control module failure. Inexpensive to fix if you are handy and know what to do and an a**f*** if you take it to the dealer. Fore-warned is fore-armed!