Column lock issue or something else?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
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Column lock issue or something else?
First post so bare with me as I'm a noob when it comes to Vette's.
The car is a 2003 C5 Z06 with 55k on the clock. No problems with it until today. I drove it pretty hard on and off today. I took a friend for a ride, shut the car off went to turn start it again about 3 minutes later and it was dead. Turn the key, no click, crank nothing. So I assumed the battery was dead at this point.
Electronic's were doing some funky things, the security light would flash faintly when I opened the door but basically, nothing really worked. My buddy was there with his M3 and we attempted to jump start it. Could not get it turned over, though it seemed like it was getting a small charge as some of the electronic's started to work. Finally another guy came with one of those big jump starters and we were able to get it started but upon starting it, the column was locked and could not get it to unlock with the message on the OBC.
We shut it off again and again the car is completely dead. Hook the charger back up, jump it, it starts kind of rough and the column unlocks. Drove about 15 miles home taking back roads, park it in the garage and it's immediately dead again after shutting it off.
I'm so lost at this point as to what is causing the battery to die or if the battery is even dead. I've seen deep cycled batteries in my M5 at least let you start it after running for a while.
I have NO idea of the history of this car to be honest but was only told it was "babied" so take that with a grain of salt.
Any help that can be shed on this issue I'd appreciate it.
- James
The car is a 2003 C5 Z06 with 55k on the clock. No problems with it until today. I drove it pretty hard on and off today. I took a friend for a ride, shut the car off went to turn start it again about 3 minutes later and it was dead. Turn the key, no click, crank nothing. So I assumed the battery was dead at this point.
Electronic's were doing some funky things, the security light would flash faintly when I opened the door but basically, nothing really worked. My buddy was there with his M3 and we attempted to jump start it. Could not get it turned over, though it seemed like it was getting a small charge as some of the electronic's started to work. Finally another guy came with one of those big jump starters and we were able to get it started but upon starting it, the column was locked and could not get it to unlock with the message on the OBC.
We shut it off again and again the car is completely dead. Hook the charger back up, jump it, it starts kind of rough and the column unlocks. Drove about 15 miles home taking back roads, park it in the garage and it's immediately dead again after shutting it off.
I'm so lost at this point as to what is causing the battery to die or if the battery is even dead. I've seen deep cycled batteries in my M5 at least let you start it after running for a while.
I have NO idea of the history of this car to be honest but was only told it was "babied" so take that with a grain of salt.
Any help that can be shed on this issue I'd appreciate it.
- James
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6
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I'd say the Column Lock issue is the result of the battery being dead. I have never heard of the column lock causing the car not to be able to start. I would start by checking all the battery connections and make sure they are clean and tight. Then I would put the battery on a slow charge for a couple of days. Depending upon the type of slow charger you have, the charger may not like trying to charge the battery if it is completely run down. If the battery will not take a charge, you need to replace it. I believe that the 03 still had the side terminals. The Delco batterys had some problems with the case on these side post batterys leaking. When you take the battery out check for acid stains under the battery. There are electronics located under the battery ( Way to go GM!!!!) If there are stains you will need to check for damage. I would be looking for a Glass Mat battery such as Optima. There are other manufacturers of the glass mat batterys. These will not have the leaking issues the older Delco batterys had.
Is the battery the original Delco? If so I would think it has probably given up the ghost. 5 years is about all you can expect from the OEM battery.
Is the battery the original Delco? If so I would think it has probably given up the ghost. 5 years is about all you can expect from the OEM battery.
Hey thanks for the response. After doing some reading on here, it looks as though a failing battery can cause all sorts of weird issues like the column lock issue. And it looks as though the battery is still the original ACDelco battery.
My only concern is, why would it run great all day, take a major beating and then die all of a sudden? This just doesn't seem like normal behavior from a failing battery.
I'm going to try and find a battery tomorrow, is the replacement an easy job that I can do (some what of a confident mechanic but only on BMWs) and any ideas on where I should get one locally?
- James
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Pittsburg Ca.
A battery can and wiil just fail. Ask me how I know..... A low battery will toss all kinds of codes also. Ive always have had good luck with the autozone duralast golds. Plus they have an excellent warranty. 10 minute job to replace. Unhook cables pull battery, put new battey in rehook cables and good to go.........
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
A battery can and wiil just fail. Ask me how I know..... A low battery will toss all kinds of codes also. Ive always have had good luck with the autozone duralast golds. Plus they have an excellent warranty. 10 minute job to replace. Unhook cables pull battery, put new battey in rehook cables and good to go.........
Another thing that happened this morning was I drove it to breakfast, upon starting it up, I got the "SERVICE HANDLING" or something like that and the ABS light was on. I drove for a couple of miles, shut it off, turned it back on and the light went away as well as the code on the OBC. Has to be a battery problem. I just hope that's all it is
Man, I thought my 2001 M5 was a pain in the ***. This car is loads more complicated but is sure of a hell lot more fun
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
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It's alive! Thanks for everyone's help. Bought a new battery, Orbital Exide or whatever which was highly recommened to me by a bunch of guys in the local Vette club. 189, a bit pricey but has 82 month warranty and 2 years no hassle 
My first experience on CF has been a good one
My first experience on CF has been a good one
