So I bought my first corvette about 3 weeks ago. After driving it for 5 days, the TAC module went out. I was pretty bummed since I had just gotten the car, but I sucked it up and took it to a dealer to get fixed.

Had to wait two weeks for the TAC module to get repaired from where-ever they sent it off to, and it arrived today. They installed the module, car fired right up and then died shortly after that

They checked out the steering column and ignition, which came out fine, and they believe it might be the VATS or passkey, or whatever it is called. So now my car has a new issue (currently unknown), which means it has to be in the shop even longer, and now I have to pay for that new issue. I knew Corvette ownership would be more expensive, but I was hoping these issues would be spread out, not all at once.

I'm happy that these issues are being found now before I start driving it everywhere, but I feel pretty terrible as I just want to drive it everywhere

 

I'm not up to speed with vats but it seems to me that if it started at all that would mean its not a vats issue but something else. Is this a Chevy dealer or at least a corvette oriented shop?

 

I can't help you with your specific problem BUT, try to post here before going to a dealership. There is more technical expertise/knowledge here for free. If you are going to get to 200,000 miles with your ride, better book some knowledge or you'll go broke.

Try posting this problem in the "Technical" section and not in the "General" section. There are several members that are way beyond dealership ability.

 

These are generally very reliable vehicles, don't get discouraged just yet.

I certainly recommend looking here for help before going to a dealer, these cars are often somewhat picky, and the techs at the shop might not be as familiar with a 20 year old car as many of the enthusiasts here.

If they already have your car back, you may be out of luck for this situation, but I still get a strange feeling that it might be battery/column lock related despite what they said to you.

Good luck.

 

It's always a good idea to update your profile to show your location, at least your city and state. Also the year and model of Corvette you have. Could be that there are members near you that can suggest reputable shops or have even gone thru the same type of problem and would be willing to help.

Not all dealers have experienced Corvette technicians. Dealers will have online repair procedures they can follow, but even then it can be a crap shoot going to dealers.

 

This is a Chevy dealer that my dad recommended since he takes his Corvette (08) and all of his other cars there. I want to try and find out what the issue is myself, which is what I did with the TAC, but the dealer is not letting me come anywhere near my car so I can't pull any codes.

Definitely posting here first the next time around. I mostly just wanted to rant a bit when I posted his last night, and I didn't know the full extend of what the car was doing.

I can't pull the codes on the issue this time around. The dealer won't let me approach my car at all. They said I can look at it from over here, which at the time was about 40 ft away from where it sat. So I don't want to post without knowing what part of the issue is anyways.

The only thing they told me is that the car starts, dies shortly after that, and it has a security error on the dash, and that's all they were willing to say about it. This issue only occurred after they put the new TAC module on the car.

That's what I was worried about when I first took the car there. I wasn't sure if they would have the abilities to work on an older car or not.

I definitely want to post here next time, but I was in a tight spot when my car broke down and I had to take it somewhere. Decided a chevy dealer would have been the best call.

They've had my car for two full weeks now and this issue came up yesterday before I even got to look at it.

Went and updated my profile. And you're right, not all of them do, and this one doesn't. They have a master technician there, however, so I wasn't too worried when I took it in.

This whole dealership experience has been a huge crap shoot experience. Even my dad has been getting irritated with this place, and he has been taking his cars there for 15 years.

From what they have told me, the car starts, and then dies shortly after that. It has a security light on the dash, but no other error messages. This issue was only present after they replaced the TAC module.

And if I could pull codes, I would go and do that. They won't even let me approach my car while its down there. The only information I have is what they told me.

 

if the dealership won't let you see or access YOUR car, that's a big red flag IMO. Good luck...

 

 

I mean in all honesty it's probably a low battery and the 2mph fuel shutoff due to a column lock issue.

 

You need to get an award. They just called and said that the issue is the steering column locking up. I'm a bit peeved as they said to me yesterday that this was not the case and that they were going to probe around until they found the issue.

 

Does the car die after it has been moving (at about 5 MPH?) or does it die simply setting there before moving? If it doesn't die just setting there, and dies shortly after starting to move, it is likely a column lock type issue (could easily be a drained battery (from setting in the shop), and the dealership should know this. IN my not so humble opinion (IMNSHO), this is not a VATS problem or the car would not even start.

Low batteries will often start the car but give all kinds of hideous problems with the electronics.

 

The car moves under its own power until around 2-5mph. They discovered it is the steering column locking up.

 

If you are dissatisfied with service then you need to speak with the service mgr. If he doesn't help then go up to the GM and then the owner. With your family history with the dealer they should bend over backwards. I've always found that a little guilt and shame goes a long way.

 

It constantly amazes me how people are afraid to speak up. It's YOUR car !!! The second some dealership said that I couldn't go to my vehicle I would call for a tow truck right there in front of them.

 

well then, the next step is to not let them do any work to fix it.

Once you get your car back, get the battery out and have it charged and tested. It's been sitting for a couple weeks, and these cars aren't great when it comes to low voltage. If it tests good, throw it back in the car and all will likely be good. If not, get a new battery.

After that you should order an lmc5 and install it. It's the only permanent fix to the column lock issue.

Good luck, the dealer will not be able to fix your issue. Even if they say they can, or did. Without an lmc5 installed, it is not permanently fixed.

 

Thanks for this tip. They are actually ordering the Lmc5 tools to unlock the column and to perform the permanent fix. Apparently the recall was done in 09, but it failed after 8 years.

 

it didn't fail, it just never fixed the issue

glad theyre ordering an lmc5, I'm surprised to hear they they're agreeing to do this. Hopefully they don't charge much, the part is $40 and takes about 5 minutes to install.

 

These damn fixes that aren't really fixes.

I hoping the TAC and this install are only charged for an hours worth, because each install is only 15 minutes max. Either way, I'm just glad this is almost over, until they tell me that another issue has come up

I kind of wish I just worked on this myself. Would have been way cheaper even purchasing the PSI module and the other parts.

 

That's how I feel. Glad I have a dealership that doesn't pull that .

 

live and learn I guess. I found the GM k harness zip tied under my dash, not even hooked up.