Column locked today at grocery store. Could this be a battery issue? Here is the background info:

02 Z cam/headers, so computer has been tuned. Red top Optima about 2 1/2 years old. I drive about 500 miles a month but starting several months ago if I don't drive for a week or so I have to recharge battery to start car. Not completely dead but not enough juice to crank. Starting just 2 weeks ago I would get a "remove key and wait 10 seconds" code on dic when I first started up. Car would start fine and code would go out after a few seconds. This would happen about half the time ( the message on dic) .Today I took car to gym. Started fine, no message on dic. After gym I went to store. When I got back in car it started fine, no dic message about key, I started to back up and the steering column locked. I tried restarting several time and no dice. I removed the battery cables for about 5 minutes and that didnt do anything either. Called AAA and had car towed to dealership. Is it possible its just a weak battery? Car did start ok although the last few times I repeatedly tried starting to see if column would unlock it did start to drag a little. I don't know if the recall was ever done on this car because i got it used. Just hate to have them tear into it when it just might be a bad battery. I work there so they won't try to rip my head off. ( I think, lol) Any help appreciated!!!!!!

 

You need to have the service bulletin performed on your vette. Mine did the same thing last year. it should be a totally free fix.

 

My 2004 Z06 was put in service in 02/2004 and the original battery was replaced this past August when the dreaded "Service Column Lock" message. That is 7+ years and 30,000 miles service from a battery and I did not see any reason to put anything other than another AC Delco battery in it. Once I changed the battery, the message went away and I installed the CLB that I had bought 3 years ago and was too lazy to install. Car is garaged, and will go weeks between starts and has never failed to start let alone needed a charge.

 

From what I understand the recall does NOT totally fix the Z06. You should buy and install a CLB module that defeats it so it can never happen.

 

I have never had good luck with Optima batteries myself. The Chevy dealer can tell you if the recall has been done. Even if it has been done, it can still occur. I would get a CLB installed.

 

Why? So he can really be screwed the next time it happens? The dealer "fix" is a ghetto patch job, and the 2mph fuel cut will be installed. What he needs is...

a) ...a new battery. IMHO, any Opticrap battery 2.5 years old is shot.
b) ...a Column Lock Bypass module from Corvettes of Houston or other vendor. This should be every Vette owner's first mod after buying the car.

 

new to my 04 zo6 what is the clb and it hard to install at home myself and is the steering column lock common and something to worry about car has bout 35k on the odometer

 

c-low:
Yes, I would worry about the "service column lock" as it can potentially ruin your day by disabling your car. A weak battery(in my case) is one of the factors in this issue. A CLB is column lock bypass is a kit offered by several sources. I got mine from what is now Corvettes of Houston. Not terribly difficult to install other than getting the connectors apart. Just take your time so as to not break the wiring connectors. The only potential downside is the steering column is kept in the unlocked position even when off.

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html

 

....

 

OK, here is whats happening. First, Thanks to all who tried to help! The Optima is bad. 2 1/2 years and already shot. Iam going to put a Delco in it now. The campaign has been done sometime in the past but there is evidently a newer version of this. They are going to do this. Tech said the actuator in column lock is bad as well. Something about drawing too many amps I think he said. Iam going to do the clb proceedure as soon as I can get one. Thanks for the replies!

 

Knew the Opticrap was shot. Get that CLB as soon as you can!

 

From what i understand, there was a small recall for the column lock issue on 2002 Z, talk to a local dealer, it may be up to them to fix it.

 

Nobody ever reads the thread before posting these days...

 

Right on. I think the dealer fix keeps the column from ever locking up, but the fuel shut-off is still active.

 

onspeed, you have a PM.