corvette just dies
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23
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corvette just dies
I have a C5 it's a '98. When I start it sometimes it just dies for no reason. I have no codes on my computer. Does anyone know what could be going on? I would say that it does this 1 out of every 5-7 times I start the car. Not in cold conditions either. Just randomly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,163
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From: The greatest risk is not taking one at all
I had a similar issue with my 97. Right after it would start, hot or cold, it would just shut off. Sometimes it would do it twice in a row, and then the third try it would start fine.
Check your battery contacts. My positive contact was badly corroded. I had my mechanic replace it and it never happened again.
Check your battery contacts. My positive contact was badly corroded. I had my mechanic replace it and it never happened again.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,640
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine State
Originally Posted by Bling Bling
I had a similar issue with my 97. Right after it would start, hot or cold, it would just shut off. Sometimes it would do it twice in a row, and then the third try it would start fine.
Check your battery contacts. My positive contact was badly corroded. I had my mechanic replace it and it never happened again.
Check your battery contacts. My positive contact was badly corroded. I had my mechanic replace it and it never happened again.
Thanks.
Bob
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23
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No codes at least I don't think I held down options and hit #1 key 4 times. And all of my codes have an H after them for history. But Will a check engine light or anything come on? I just bought the Vette yesterday and I remember driving it and it said service engine soon I thought it was for like an oil change or something. But It hasn't came on since like 2 days ago.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
This actually could be column lock related. I think there was a PCM update for the manual transmission that killed the fuel to the motor if the column was locked. Do you know if a column lock bypass has been installed? Is the car an auto or a manual?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,206
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From: USA USA
Cruise-In II Veteran
clb
If the bypass was installed,your steering wheel would not lock after you pull the key out. My 98 still SOUNDS like it's locking but the pin is removed. Had mine done at the dealership under the recall.Let us know what you find out!
WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!
Matt
WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!
Matt
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Hey Matt,
I turned the car off and pulled the key out then tried to move my steering wheel and it locked. Does this mean that I need to take my car to the dealer to get a recall fixed? And is this the cause of the car dying do you guys think?
I turned the car off and pulled the key out then tried to move my steering wheel and it locked. Does this mean that I need to take my car to the dealer to get a recall fixed? And is this the cause of the car dying do you guys think?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
Originally Posted by dyos
Hey Matt,
I turned the car off and pulled the key out then tried to move my steering wheel and it locked. Does this mean that I need to take my car to the dealer to get a recall fixed? And is this the cause of the car dying do you guys think?
I turned the car off and pulled the key out then tried to move my steering wheel and it locked. Does this mean that I need to take my car to the dealer to get a recall fixed? And is this the cause of the car dying do you guys think?
Yes!!! Immediately. You have the dreaded Corvette-column-lock-blues. Fortunately it should be a recall fix.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,206
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From: USA USA
Cruise-In II Veteran
clb
Definetly,get the the bypass from the dealer,it's free. Just have to spend the time waiting. They also fixed something on the seatbelt retractor at the same time.I didn't even know about that one!
Matt
Matt
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 23
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Wow! So the problem I'm having with it dying can be fixed pretty easily then you think? Cause I mean the car sounds healthy. And I thought the steering column on cars were supposed to lock when you turn it off so nobody can jack it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 6
From: Sahuarita AZ
You should purchase a column lock bypass. Since you have a 6 speed, the dealer fix will not do much for you. The CLB is very easy to install. It took me about 15-30 minutes to get it in and the interior panel re installed. The column lock is a theft deterant system... unfortunatly it can also deter you from driving the car too and will eventually leave you stranded if you don't get it taken care of.
If you do end up taking it to a dealer, try to get them to perform the recall fix that was performed on the automatic transmission for you. With that fix, you would basically be getting a "Harness K" from GM which is essentially a column lock bypass module like what you can purchase from most of the forum vendors for around $20-$30. I believe the dealer may also remove the locking plate or pin. I had the dealer do the recall, my column locked up 2-3 days later. I over nighted a CLB and havn't had a problem since.
If you do end up taking it to a dealer, try to get them to perform the recall fix that was performed on the automatic transmission for you. With that fix, you would basically be getting a "Harness K" from GM which is essentially a column lock bypass module like what you can purchase from most of the forum vendors for around $20-$30. I believe the dealer may also remove the locking plate or pin. I had the dealer do the recall, my column locked up 2-3 days later. I over nighted a CLB and havn't had a problem since.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Bling Bling
No codes. The only message I got was the: Remove key and wait 10 minutes, or 10 seconds or whatever that message says 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by dyos
Hey Matt,
I turned the car off and pulled the key out then tried to move my steering wheel and it locked. Does this mean that I need to take my car to the dealer to get a recall fixed? And is this the cause of the car dying do you guys think?
I turned the car off and pulled the key out then tried to move my steering wheel and it locked. Does this mean that I need to take my car to the dealer to get a recall fixed? And is this the cause of the car dying do you guys think?
If you have a 6 speed, the dealer recall will not remove the column lock feature. If your column is unlocking when you start the car, then the BCM would not shut the fuel off. The fuel is shutoff only if the BCM detects that the column is still locked, or it cannot determine the position of the column lock. If the BCM detects that the column is unlocked, it should not shut off the fuel. If you want to disable the column lock, you will have to install a CLB yourself, or install the factory Harness K kit that the recall installs on the automatics.
