FIXED THE PROBLEM!! THANKS FOR THE HELP.

I recently had the steering column lock bypass recall done on my '97 C5 MN6. When i was driving home form the dealership i noticed that the security light had turned on, so i turned around and went back to the dealership. The service writer told me that the tech. that had proformed the work already left for the day, but to come back tomorrow to see what could have triggered the light to come on.
On my way to the dealership the next day the security light had not turned on, but I pressed the fuel button on the DIC and my gauges shut off and the DIC read a bunch of little A's across it. After the dealership looked at it they told me that my DIC had shorted out and i was going to have to buy a new cluster. I asked the service writer if the recall had anything to do with it the DIC and gauges malfunctioning, and he responded, "Your car is almost 8 years old and it is not uncommon for a DIC to short out over this period of time." The strange thing is I don't think that the DIC really shorted out because when i open the door the DIC reads that the door is open. Also when i turn the traction controll off (after pressing the button numerous times) the DIC reads that the traction controll is off and my gauges start working. Can someone please help me evaluate this problem so I know if this problem is due to faulty recall work done by the dealership (and they wont admit to it), or if my DIC simply shorted out because of old age (which doesnt seem right to me).

-Drew

 

To work on the steering column lock they do not need to do anything with the IPC. The failure could have been coincidental although I have not heard of many IPCs shorting out. A high proportion of supposed electronic component failures are due to poor wiring connections and not actual failures of the modules. The simple act of unplugging and re-plugging a connector can sometimes resolve a problem. It wouldn't hurt to check circuit connections to the IPC to make sure they are all in good condition.

I once had a problem show up after the dealer worked on a car and took it back because it suddenly was misfiring. The techs checked the car out with me watching them and found a bad spark plug wire which just happened to start misbehaving while they had the car. They replaced it for free but I felt a little sheepish about how I had acted after that.

Bill

 

I would disconnect the battery for a couple of minutes and see what happens. If problems still exists I would go to the dealer and go from talking nice to getting untill they fix it !

 

My DIC is 8 years old and not short..ed

 

Thank you for restoring my faith. I was beginning to thing NOBODY was going to grab this opportunity and I was going to have to jump in.



IBTL

Charlie

 

That was the fix. Disconnected the battery for a couple of minutes and everything works perfectly now. Thank you for your time.
-DRew