Pull key, wait ten seconds - Service Column Lock
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
Pull key, wait ten seconds - Service Column Lock
This is obviously a very popular C5 discussion topic, but mine has a twist to it. After dealing with the DIC reading the above after numerous resets, removing the battery ground cable for several hours and also removing a ten amp fuse (#25) from the fuse panel next to the BCM located in the passenger floor board and STILL receiving the same DIC reading, Service Column Lock, I called to have my '98 towed. When the tow truck arrived several hours later, I started the car, and low and behold, the DIC was clear - showed my milage and acted as if nothing had happened. What kind of Corvette gremlins are running around in my Silver Bullet?????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 386
From: Toronto Ontario
The best information that I received when dealing with my problem is that you can actually "snap" the steering wheel free , which might give you the ability to drive your car IF you don't have the "2 mph fuel shut off"
Aside from that yes, gte the module 8Vette8 mentioned, he helped me a lot when I was having my issue as well
Aside from that yes, gte the module 8Vette8 mentioned, he helped me a lot when I was having my issue as well
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 429
From: Birmingham Al
The C-5 Corvette is doing what its supposed to do ,lose Batt cable weak Batt. did not like the way the key went in the cylinder worn key and on and on . Do yourself a big favor LMC5 well worth the few bucks and very easy to install .. This is one you don't try to figure out .Just do it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
The C-5 Corvette is doing what its supposed to do ,lose Batt cable weak Batt. did not like the way the key went in the cylinder worn key and on and on . Do yourself a big favor LMC5 well worth the few bucks and very easy to install .. This is one you don't try to figure out .Just do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
How much did that tow cost you? All the CLB kits are under $60.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 511
Likes: 65
From: Vancouver BC
Unscrew the driver side kick panel and unplug the column lock connector looking for corrosion.
Hopefully when u pulled the bcm fuses the power was on and when u installed the the key was pulled....
Hopefully when u pulled the bcm fuses the power was on and when u installed the the key was pulled....
Last edited by don37; Sep 9, 2016 at 12:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
Zippo - insurance covered the tow and now I've got the info I need to correct the problem👍😀
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 511
Likes: 65
From: Vancouver BC
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
Really wasn't aware of the "gazillion" threads until I actually experienced the problem - ask me anything regarding turbo diesel and I think I can give an intelligent response - please forgive a snowbird with a 'vette that doesn't have the day to day knowledge that I can get here - ps - that's why I'm here!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,563
Likes: 4,609
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Your Corvette needs a battery with at least 120 RM (reserve minutes). I believe that your Optimum Red Top has only 90 RM. That along with how little you use your car are the root causes of your problem. Keep your battery on a Battery Tender or equivalent. Also, check your grounds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 273
From: Jax, Fl
A weak or bad battery or loose or corroded battery cable including at the starter.... 
Suggest that you get your self an LMC5 and install it BEFORE you get stranded by the column lock symptoms.
www.complianceparts.com
Suggest that you get your self an LMC5 and install it BEFORE you get stranded by the column lock symptoms.
www.complianceparts.com
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
I have an AGM battery with 120 RM (reserve minutes), plus an LMC5 and I am able to drive my car regularly year round so I don't have that issue.
Your Corvette needs a battery with at least 120 RM (reserve minutes). I believe that your Optimum Red Top has only 90 RM. That along with how little you use your car are the root causes of your problem. Keep your battery on a Battery Tender or equivalent. Also, check your grounds.
Your Corvette needs a battery with at least 120 RM (reserve minutes). I believe that your Optimum Red Top has only 90 RM. That along with how little you use your car are the root causes of your problem. Keep your battery on a Battery Tender or equivalent. Also, check your grounds.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
Battery issues are the MOST COMMON cause of the column lock symptoms. The battery can load test fine but if the voltage measured across the battery posts at engine crank time using a digital multi meter is 12.5 volts or less, the factory column lock system is going to fail. The column lock system runs BEFORE the engine is started so having voltage once the engine is running and the alternator producing voltage is TOO LATE.
Car will start with 12.2 volts or less but the column lock system is NOT going to be happy. Most shops that load test the battery want the battery charged but often do not FULLY charge the battery before testing. A good battery at full charge will measure 12.7 to 12.9 volts or more.
You mentioned that the DIC showed the mileage when the tow truck arrived. Was the display something other than mileage BEFORE the column lock incident??? If yes then cranking of the engine caused the voltage to drop low enough for the default display to come up. Default display is mileage. That would be an indication that the battery was pretty low on charge. That would cause the column lock message to occur.
As has been suggested above keep the battery on a battery tender device when the car is not driven for more than a few days. I would FULLY charge the battery, measure the voltage at full charge, then let the car sit a day or so and measure the voltage again. If it has dropped to 12.5 volts or less then EITHER the battery has a problem or you may have a parasitic battery drain. C5 is fairly well know for that trait....
Post back the results.
Car will start with 12.2 volts or less but the column lock system is NOT going to be happy. Most shops that load test the battery want the battery charged but often do not FULLY charge the battery before testing. A good battery at full charge will measure 12.7 to 12.9 volts or more.
You mentioned that the DIC showed the mileage when the tow truck arrived. Was the display something other than mileage BEFORE the column lock incident??? If yes then cranking of the engine caused the voltage to drop low enough for the default display to come up. Default display is mileage. That would be an indication that the battery was pretty low on charge. That would cause the column lock message to occur.
As has been suggested above keep the battery on a battery tender device when the car is not driven for more than a few days. I would FULLY charge the battery, measure the voltage at full charge, then let the car sit a day or so and measure the voltage again. If it has dropped to 12.5 volts or less then EITHER the battery has a problem or you may have a parasitic battery drain. C5 is fairly well know for that trait....
Post back the results.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 48
From: Olympia WA
Am I missing something here. Didn't you say your getting a LMC5 tomorrow? I, like many others here have installed the LMC5 and the service column issue has never happen again. I also installed the "brown" wire for extra insurance.
I would try the LMC5 install first, since you already spent $60, before you purchase a new battery.
Good luck.
I would try the LMC5 install first, since you already spent $60, before you purchase a new battery.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,252
Likes: 176
From: Blessed are the cracked. For they are the ones who let in the light.
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Had 3 black C5s and 2 Blue..Guess which 2 went bad...just ordered another LMC5 as my Nassau Blue chit the bed.
DOH 
Last edited by Tuco; Sep 9, 2016 at 08:21 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 289
Likes: 12
From: New Port Richey Florida
Mine got stranded 1/2 way through the garage door, on a Friday evening at 8:00 with a car show on Saturday morning. I had ordered the LMC5 but had not installed it. Luckily, I am in Florida and Compliance is out west and where still open and taking calls. They walked me through the install and walked me through unlocking the column, with a hammer and large screw driver. Would have really sucked if I were not at home. I still get the pull key message because I did not do the brown wire at that time, but no column lock. Brown wire mod tomorrow. Get the LMC5 now.
