Service Column Lock
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
Service Column Lock
Hi everyone. I recently picked up a 2002 Corvette with a six speed manual, and I ran into the dreaded “pull key etc”, “service column lock” messages. My first step was to search the forum, then I ordered and installed the LMC5 bypass. All seemed well initially, but late last week I got the column lock message again. I am assuming my car does not have the recall fix because it will still run, and I can drive with no apparent problems. The car runs at any speed, and does not shut down after 2 mph.
I will probably go ahead and do the brown wire step, but I suspect this is a battery issue. I’m also going to have a couple of new keys made because the chip in the only one that came with the car shows some visible wear. I know, I’ve said a lot just to get to my point. Earlier today I was reading a thread regarding this issue, and someone had posted the recommended battery specs for the C5, which I believe are more than the owners manual states. I can’t find this thread and comment again. I should have bookmarked it, but I had to run out for a bit, and forgot. Haven’t had any luck finding it in my browser history either.
if someone could leave a comment here, I’d very much appreciate it.
Thanks in advance !
I will probably go ahead and do the brown wire step, but I suspect this is a battery issue. I’m also going to have a couple of new keys made because the chip in the only one that came with the car shows some visible wear. I know, I’ve said a lot just to get to my point. Earlier today I was reading a thread regarding this issue, and someone had posted the recommended battery specs for the C5, which I believe are more than the owners manual states. I can’t find this thread and comment again. I should have bookmarked it, but I had to run out for a bit, and forgot. Haven’t had any luck finding it in my browser history either.
if someone could leave a comment here, I’d very much appreciate it.
Thanks in advance !
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Battery is a preference thing, some will say Optima....I did that once I ran Interstate that last few years of my C5 and had no issues....just get the proper size/group for the car.
and just because the car had the recall done doesn't mean you won't have a failure or see the message again so I wouldn't assume it wasn't done. The only real fix is the CLB or similar.
and just because the car had the recall done doesn't mean you won't have a failure or see the message again so I wouldn't assume it wasn't done. The only real fix is the CLB or similar.
Team Owner
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Thanks. Brand doesn’t matter to me, it’s the size group etc I’m looking for. I remember 700 cca. Reserve capacity is also something in the previous thread that I’m looking for. The spec battery for the car at my local auto parts shop is lower than what I read. I’m planning on going bigger than what spec says, but I’m just looking for the guidelines I read earlier. The battery that came in the car is a few years old, and is definitely having issues, so rather than digging too deep into the problem, I’ll start simple and go from there.
I will tell you this....I biought my last 2 batteries for my Jeep and the wifes 2012 Grandsport at Advance Auto.....buy online pick up in store save at least 20% that way...if they don't have a code use PS20 it works everytime
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The C5 was designed to operate with a 120 Reserve Capacity battery. Hope this helps..
Your side post battery would be a group size 78
Your side post battery would be a group size 78
Last edited by Smoken1; Nov 16, 2020 at 01:30 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
Hi everyone. I recently picked up a 2002 Corvette with a six speed manual, and I ran into the dreaded “pull key etc”, “service column lock” messages. My first step was to search the forum, then I ordered and installed the LMC5 bypass. All seemed well initially, but late last week I got the column lock message again. I am assuming my car does not have the recall fix because it will still run, and I can drive with no apparent problems. The car runs at any speed, and does not shut down after 2 mph.
I will probably go ahead and do the brown wire step, but I suspect this is a battery issue. I’m also going to have a couple of new keys made because the chip in the only one that came with the car shows some visible wear. I know, I’ve said a lot just to get to my point. Earlier today I was reading a thread regarding this issue, and someone had posted the recommended battery specs for the C5, which I believe are more than the owners manual states. I can’t find this thread and comment again. I should have bookmarked it, but I had to run out for a bit, and forgot. Haven’t had any luck finding it in my browser history either.
if someone could leave a comment here, I’d very much appreciate it.
Thanks in advance !
I will probably go ahead and do the brown wire step, but I suspect this is a battery issue. I’m also going to have a couple of new keys made because the chip in the only one that came with the car shows some visible wear. I know, I’ve said a lot just to get to my point. Earlier today I was reading a thread regarding this issue, and someone had posted the recommended battery specs for the C5, which I believe are more than the owners manual states. I can’t find this thread and comment again. I should have bookmarked it, but I had to run out for a bit, and forgot. Haven’t had any luck finding it in my browser history either.
if someone could leave a comment here, I’d very much appreciate it.
Thanks in advance !
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
Thanks everyone !
This is exactly what I was looking for, and I was able to find the original post I saw yesterday. It just wasn't on the forum, but on Corvette blog post. I'll share a screenshot so others can see as well if the question comes up again.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 544
Likes: 33
From: SW of Chicago Illinois
Never had an issue until I installed the LMC5. Shortly after the 'Pull Key' message started popping up almost every time. Never had any driving issues. Went back in and did the brown wire procedure and never had a problem again. Definitely try that first.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
Got to pull the HUD soon too. Need to repair the broken pin so I can actually see it on my windshield. But since I'm planning to upgrade the stereo soon, I'll wait on that until then. No sense ripping out the dash more than once if I can help it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
I’ve already installed the LMC5, the brown wire mod has yet to be done. Haven’t had a chance to work on it yet. Problem has been resolved though. Battery had a dead cell. Replaced it last week, and no longer getting the service column lock message. Still going to do the BWM when I have time 😉
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
Quick update. My battery had a dead cell in it, voltage was barely clearing 12 volts. I replaced it last week, and the service column lock message is gone.
I’m still planning to do the brown wire mod when I have time, but for now the issue has been resolved.
I’m still planning to do the brown wire mod when I have time, but for now the issue has been resolved.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 399
Likes: 31
I’ve already installed the LMC5, the brown wire mod has yet to be done. Haven’t had a chance to work on it yet. Problem has been resolved though. Battery had a dead cell. Replaced it last week, and no longer getting the service column lock message. Still going to do the BWM when I have time 😉
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
The point of my thread was to find the recommended battery specs for the C5 because I had read earlier that the factory spec'd battery wasn't really enough. I've since resolved all the issues, keep a maintainer on the car when parked for more than a couple of days, and enjoy driving it every chance I get. The only real issue I have now is not having nice enough weather to drop the top and cruise 😉
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I’ve already installed the LMC5, the brown wire mod has yet to be done. Haven’t had a chance to work on it yet. Problem has been resolved though. Battery had a dead cell. Replaced it last week, and no longer getting the service column lock message. Still going to do the BWM when I have time 😉
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From: Slower than a speeding bullet................ Fort Lauderdale, FL
I installed the LMC 5 today.
There is a plastic module above where you take out the BCM. Actually there are 2.
To avoid failure of the column lock again, the directions say to remove the plug from this module.
There are 2 next to each other. It is the one on the right. It was a real pain in the A getting it out,
but now my column should never again lock.
There is a plastic module above where you take out the BCM. Actually there are 2.
To avoid failure of the column lock again, the directions say to remove the plug from this module.
There are 2 next to each other. It is the one on the right. It was a real pain in the A getting it out,
but now my column should never again lock.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 399
Likes: 31
I installed the LMC 5 today.
There is a plastic module above where you take out the BCM. Actually there are 2.
To avoid failure of the column lock again, the directions say to remove the plug from this module.
There are 2 next to each other. It is the one on the right. It was a real pain in the A getting it out,
but now my column should never again lock.
There is a plastic module above where you take out the BCM. Actually there are 2.
To avoid failure of the column lock again, the directions say to remove the plug from this module.
There are 2 next to each other. It is the one on the right. It was a real pain in the A getting it out,
but now my column should never again lock.