I knew because with the 4 wire it wouldn't go more than 2MPH. Installed the 5 wire and it runs again.

 

Bookmarked! Thanks for the review of a good guy!

 

mine must be normal - i just put a 4-wire in my 2000 FRC, and it worked & drove just fine

 

I think I've been convinced to go the CLB route but I never saw a reply to this question:

If you're car is running fine, no codes, no messages but you want to install the LMC5 just to be safe, how do you know if you need the 4 or 5 wire setup? Can't believe that hasn't come up before but I've not seen it.

 

You should have seen it, check out page 2, tak06's explanation it's all there. Basically according to Compliance, only 1% of the m6 cars may require the 5th wire, Richard said that it's best to minimize foreign wires connecting to the BCM much as possible, therefore install the 4 wire setup and if need be, contact Richard at Compliance and he will look after you.

 

Before installing the LMC5 I got the pull key message a couple of times. I pulled the key and it worked as it should. I had no codes and the car was running fine. Since installing the LMC5 I can't tell any difference, still get the pull key message on rare occasion. I'd guess once every 3 months or so. My car isn't a DD but is driven frequently on weekends.

As I understand it now, if you order an LMC5, you will receive the 4 wire (original) version. 99 percent of the time it works. They have 2 other versions for the rare times the original doesn't do the trick.

I chose the LMC5 because I believe it is an easier install and it connects directly to the BCM. That takes all the other wiring, relay, whatever out of the equation. For someone like me, that is NOT knowledgable about all things to do with column lock, it seemed the way to go. I didn't have to concern myself with relays, k harnesses or anything thing else. All I had to do was to order it and follow the instructions to install it. I felt comfortable that if I had problems their customer service would help me out. All posts had indicated such.

I installed it as a precautionary measure and went the extra step to have the 2mph fuel shutoff programmed to a higher number. Maybe that's overkill but I feel very confident that the column lock problem will not leave me stranded.

 

and here I thought unplugging one plug and plugging in another was pretty easy

 

Oh I saw that tak06 and understand that you don't want to hook up anything unnecessary. That's pretty much common sense. But that does not answer the question of, if your car is running fine with no messages, no problem, no nothing, how do you know which version you need?

 

Just get the 4 wire version, 99% of the time it's all you need, you want to minimize extra wires to the BCM.
My reasons for choosing the LMC5 over the CLB mirrors Suthunman's reasoning plus it's a lot less invasive.

 

ok, it seems as though there is no definitive answer to my question.

So, if I've no problems and am leaving for an around the country tour, there's no way to KNOW that I have the right unit. Not real good peace of mind there...

 

My car only had 19k. miles and no problems at all . I just wanted to install the unit to prevent getting stranded , but the 4 wire didn't eliminate the 2mph problem and when I tried to move the car it would shut off. I sent it back and got the 5 wire and everything seems fine. My car is a 6 speed standard. Maybe automatics are different. Rich at Compliance would know.

 

Good point bj1k. Rich would know. FYI - M6 here too

 

Calvins.....install either the CLB or the LMC5. In the process you will unlock your column lock and it will not lock anymore after that. As long as which ever one of the devices you choose continue to do their job you wont have any problems. If you have the 2 mph fuel shutoff reprogrammed to a higher number, like 200 mph, your car will be drivable even if your chosen device craps out on you.

 

column lock has always worked just fine in my car, but i installed it anyway & the 4-wire worked for me.

 

Got mine in the mail today and installed it. Very helpful and easy instructions! Worked like a charm!! No more "service colum lock" message.

 

i am going to order one of these products, how do you decide which is best? i know that my car has had at least one dealer fix applied (previous owner). i haven't had any issues but i would like to avoid any as well. both the LMC5 and the CLB look like good products, after reading this thread it seems that the LMC5 is the preferred part?

 

Some prefer the LMC5 and others the CLB. If you order the LMC5 be sure and order the unlocker at the same time. It does not come with the LMC5. It only cost a few bucks.

 

Thanks for the reply. question, and this may seem silly to most, but why do I need the unlocker if I am currently not experiencing any problems? Thanks again

 

I had originally bought the CLB, but I had not installed it and did a lot of reading regarding the LMC5. I bought the LMC5 and installed it and so far love it. They are both good products but IMHO the LMC5 edges out the CLB.

 

To install the LMC5, the first step will be to disconnect the battery. Your column will be locked at that time. You will need the unlocker to unlock the column lock during the installation. I really don't know why they don't include the unlocker with the LMC5. There are ways around it but the installation instructions only tell you how to unlock it with the unlocker.