LMC5 or not?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,414
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
My advise, install the kit.
My first Vette was a 2000 FRC with 130k on it. It always worked perfectly. Until it didn't one evening in 2015. Column locked, stuck, unable to move the car. Luckily it happened as I was backing out of my driveway!!
good luck!
My first Vette was a 2000 FRC with 130k on it. It always worked perfectly. Until it didn't one evening in 2015. Column locked, stuck, unable to move the car. Luckily it happened as I was backing out of my driveway!!
good luck!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 471
From: S.E. Pennsylvania
my 2002 worked fine until it didn't in 2015. Left me stuck at my apartment complex's mailbox. At a minimum, it's worth having on hand for when it does fail. But it will fail at the gas station after you fill up and you'll be asking to borrow a paperclip from a crackhead so you can release the BCM pins and laying over the passenger door sill with your legs out in the road where some idiot in a lifted brodozer he financed at 14% will run over your feet.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,057
Likes: 266
From: Slower than a speeding bullet................ Fort Lauderdale, FL
I just picked up a 2004 Z06 with 21k orig. miles on ebay.
When it arrived, I was surprised to discover a CLB was never performed on it.
It is a one-owner senior-citizen car.
I installed the LMC5 2 days ago to avoid getting stranded somewhere, even though the car is 16 years old,
and I'm guessing it never happened to the original owner.
Besides changing all the fluids, this is one of the first things I did.
When it arrived, I was surprised to discover a CLB was never performed on it.
It is a one-owner senior-citizen car.
I installed the LMC5 2 days ago to avoid getting stranded somewhere, even though the car is 16 years old,
and I'm guessing it never happened to the original owner.
Besides changing all the fluids, this is one of the first things I did.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 524
Likes: 126
From: Sandown NH
Also keep in mind that GM added a 2mph fuel cut off with the column lock recall. This is the one that can get you even if your steering wheel does not lock with the key out. What happens is the system can still sense an issue with the column lock. When that happens the 2mph fuel cut off kicks in and your car shuts off when you start to move. For $50, just buy the LMC5 AND install it and do the "brown wire mod".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Also keep in mind that GM added a 2mph fuel cut off with the column lock recall. This is the one that can get you even if your steering wheel does not lock with the key out. What happens is the system can still sense an issue with the column lock. When that happens the 2mph fuel cut off kicks in and your car shuts off when you start to move. For $50, just buy the LMC5 AND install it and do the "brown wire mod".
There always was a fuel cut off triggered by attempting to drive with the column still registering as locked. The recall in question disabled that function - an extra harness was included for the purpose. And the described fix procedure is lengthy and requires a Tech II, and depending on year, a PCM re-program.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 471
From: S.E. Pennsylvania
The "C" version of the recall fixed all the issues.
There always was a fuel cut off triggered by attempting to drive with the column still registering as locked. The recall in question disabled that function - an extra harness was included for the purpose. And the described fix procedure is lengthy and requires a Tech II, and depending on year, a PCM re-program.
There always was a fuel cut off triggered by attempting to drive with the column still registering as locked. The recall in question disabled that function - an extra harness was included for the purpose. And the described fix procedure is lengthy and requires a Tech II, and depending on year, a PCM re-program.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 400
Likes: 28
From: St. Paul (smokey!) MN
Another issue is I don't think there is any way to tell which version was done. I tried asking at my dealer, they just know that the recall was performed, but not which version.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Whether it has the lock plate removed or not, a low battery can cause the 2 mph fuel cut off to happen. Had that happen to me one spring, even with CLB intalled. Fortunately I had EFILive and changed it to 256 mph and drove to the event.
Last edited by Gordy M; Dec 2, 2020 at 09:25 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
By the way, I got it unlocked to drive to the dealer was by artificially increasing the voltage in the system - I hooked up the charger, switched it to boost and the column unlocked immediately on starting. Just not enough "kick" at 12 volts to force the unlock.
p.s. If anyone wants a copy of that recall, just google "Product Safety Bulletin #0406C"
Last edited by jackthelad; Dec 2, 2020 at 11:34 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 40
Likes: 21
From: Port Charlotte FL
Installed the LMC5 module last weekend and watched several Youtube install videos and read through the instructions twice. Should be a piece of cake but with me it's always the most simple things that cause me the biggest problems. The supplied pin removal tool is a small allen key and wound up bending and breaking when it would not dislodge the pin from the plug. Had another one same size in my tool box and it met the same fate. I needed something beefier and longer to apply more pressure and get a better grip on so I made my own tool out of a larger allen key. To get the key to fit into the plug to release the pin I ground down the end with my bench grinder. It worked like a charm and now this is a new tool in my tool box.
Last edited by minuteman048; Feb 16, 2021 at 06:35 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
Installed the LMC5 module last weekend and watched several Youtube install videos and read through the instructions twice. Should be a piece of cake but with me it's always the most simple things that cause me the biggest problems. The supplied pin removal tool is a small allen key and wound up bending and breaking when it would not dislodge the pin from the plug. Had another one same size in my tool box and it met the same fate. I needed something beefier and longer to apply more pressure and get a better grip on so I made my own tool out of a larger allen key. To get the key to fit into the plug to release the pin I ground down the end with my bench grinder. It worked like a charm and now this is a new tool in my tool box.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Glad you found a way. I had a similar issue. The wire would not released when I did mine years ago. Called Richard at Compliance asking if I was doing it correctly and he said just push the allen key in and pull the wire as hard as you can. Very hesitant to use force since every time I did previously on anything I regretted it. Pulled really hard and It did finally released. .
I had a similar issue. The wire would not released when I did mine years ago. Called Richard at Compliance asking if I was doing it correctly and he said just push the allen key in and pull the wire as hard as you can. Very hesitant to use force since every time I did previously on anything I regretted it. Pulled really hard and It did finally released. .
Safety Car
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 1,040
Picture this... You are parked at a Roadside rest.. perhaps eye 80 in the Rockies, 20deg outside, Cold, then it happens... Failed GM designed gizmo locks steering wheel..... Now imagine what situation you're in..... Fix it now!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,566
Likes: 3,307
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
This is an old thread. However, there was a new question asked today specifically asking if you need an LMC5 on an '02 automatic. By 2002, only the manual cars were affected by the column lock issue. If he had a manual (A6) I would agree with you, but he doesn't.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 342
From: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
I don't understand why you are so questioning and hesitant about this. It's the best $40 you'll ever spend on your car and a great insurance policy not have to ever worry about this again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,566
Likes: 3,307
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Because the column lock is NOT an issue AT ALL on the '02 automatic! If he had a manual transmission, that would be a totally different story.