2001 Coupe M6

Chalk up another Service Column Lock to installing the correct battery, specifically, Reserve Capacity. I went with the Die Hard Platinum P4 34/78DT, RC 135!!! The SCL warning was gone immediately.

I made this thread inedependant of the big one for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason being ease of finding the answer for people in my situation.

I just bought the car a few weeks ago. I am familiar with the CLB issue and was under the impression that the fix was the CLB kit, (as an aside, I verified as soon as I bought the car that the recall had been performed). Wow, I am so glad I searched the forum first. I actually did the search to find out where to buy the CLB when my warning came on last week, but found some threads that mentioned a fix; I started reading and watched the videos. My degree is in electronics technology and after the information presented, I am a Believer. I also believe that the CLB is killing the BCM just like that video says. Take that thing off and get the correct battery, that's my advice.

Swapping batteries and having the problem go away just confirmed it for me. The battery that was in the car was a fairly new Optima Red Top that tests fine. As you may know, it only has a RC of 110 though.

I tried to buy the Delco battery mentioned in the video, but because it is a group 78 the parts guy at my local stealership didn't want to sell it to me. He insisted that because the book calls for a group 75, I should install a group 75, etc... I chose not to argue. After further research I discovered the Die Hard. It is a superior battery and I am glad that he wouldn't sell the Delco to me.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks again to all the people who figured this out and made the information available to us here on the Forum.

 

What do you mean by the comment about the CLB killing the BCM, I have not heard that before?

 

 

A good battery is not the fix-all. My experience was that even after a new battery-OEM, the service col lock came on. Luckily the turn the wheel to the right and hold while turning on the key trick unlocked the column lock.

my suspicion is that the column lock motor gets tired as the number of cycles on it increases, and only the strongest of batteries will make an old one work crisply enough to make the circuit think all is OK. So, in lieu of a several hundred dollar new column lock motor, a CLB looks like an inexpensive and permanent fix.

After owning 2 C5's the CLB is worth every penny. Actually cheaper than a new battery that may not be needed just yet.

I heard Paul give that presentation live at the '09 NCM Caravan. Meant to ask him a question about the column lock motor getting tired, but the next seminar start was late and questions were called off.

Ever wonder why no one sells used column lock motors? I don't think I have ever seen one on the C5 parts for sale, which I look at pretty often.

 

(Maybe BCM is the wrong computer, but the point is that it's the computer that talks to the column lock system) It's in the video. The CLB is just a bandaid. I tried to find the videos to link them for you, but I don't have the time to go page-by-page right now.

And, yes, there are locking mechanism failures and there are other types of failures, but the tech in the video said that in his experience the correct battery fixes the problem 88% of the time. I'll take those odds any day.

 

I've never heard of a CLB causing any damage to any computer component. I'm sure others will chime in on this but as far as I'm concerned, it's another unsubstantiated myth.

I hate to break it to you but a new battery is not a fix. It may have fixed it temporarily but, it will come back. Believe me, I know.

 

I was skeptical too, but after reading that the OP has an "Electronics Technology" degree.............I was convinced.


It's been bad batteries this whole time........damn.

 

COOL; Don't we just love it?

 

I guess I'll just take that CLB back....not.

Dave

 

8vette7 (the real expert on this subject) has said over and over that the battery is often the problem but as many of us know it isn't always.

Mine was the relay on the passenger footwell, and I put a CLB in anyway.

 

A weak battery is the evil behind a whole host of C5 issues and can contribute to a COLUMN LOCK ISSUE. HOWEVER,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it's NOT the root cause of the Column Lock problem! Just like "k24556" stated,, as the CL Motor /assy ages and wears, it needs more current to drive the bolt to each position. With a weak battery, it may stall and cause a DTC and fail in the locked position.

Ive had the CLB on my 02 ZO6 since 2004 and it has NEVER caused any BCM or Column Lock issues.

YES,, the BCM is the controller for the column lock motor and people have blamed the CLB for BCM issues but,,,,,,,, as many C5s as Ive worked on, Ive never seen any BCM issues caused by the CLB.

When your locked on the side of the road, you will wish that you had that bypass installed!!



BC

 

Must be an online degree!

 

So, being the Great Bill Curlee, I'm sure you watched the videos and the explanation from a REAL GM tech as to why the CLB DOES kill the BCM? Right? You just happen to disagree with his conclusions, is that what you are saying? If so, fine, but don't act like I'm presenting something new and the Great Bill Curlee is correcting an errant wannabe.

And, no, I don't think I will install a BCM-killing CLB on my car, but when you are dead on the side of the road with a fried BCM, I will help you out because that's the kinda guy I am.

To the smartasses in the crowd- I graduated from DeVry Phoenix. Class of October 1997. 4.0 GPA, number one in my class. I went on to work as a field engineer for Applied Materials where I travelled the USA and the world identifying and fixing problems. I then went to work for GE Healthcare as a MRI/CT field engineer. Now, 14 years after graduation I am semi-retired. I think I have some credibility when it comes to diagnosing and killing electrical gremlins.

Edit- To be very clear here- I started this thread because I was excited about finding this information on the forum and I thought it could maybe help someone else. I only mentioned having a degree in electronics technology to add a little validity to the fact that the conclusions in the video made sense to me. I wasn't trying to come off like I was a know-it-all, and I know that the way I wrote my message does not have a know-it-all tone to it, it's just that some Forum Warriors always seem to want to try to belittle the other guy. I just don't get it.

Anyway, as with anything on the Interwebs, do your research. The truth is out there.

 

Why would you just attack Bill when pretty much everyone who posted in this thread thinks your claim that the clb kills the bcm is bull$hit? Weak batteries cause a ton of electrical problems on C5s.

Also, why do you think info from a "real gm mechanic" on the subject of the column lock should be gospel? GM tried to address this issue with several different recalls and every one of them failed miserably.

I do not have a degree in electronics, but I'll take 8Vette7s or Bills word over yours or any GM mechanic's any day.

 

GM failed miserably in addressing this issue. In the end, they just gave up and left the C5 crowd stranded (literally). What a "GM technician" has to say regarding this issue is really not relevant and not well received by most members that have had to deal with it. Thank God that there members such as Bill who, through real world experience, have helped fellow members to resolve electrical issues while GM dealers had absolutely no clue.

The CLB fiasco could have been such an easy fix for GM but they failed. The aftermarket came to the rescue with an easy fix that works and is inexpensive.

 

I've been stranded by this BS problem twice now and had to have the car towed both times. GM has done the recall twice (2002 MN6 car) and yet the issue raised it's ugly had time after time. This last time, the dealer said they will no longer "fix" the issue and that I was wrong as to what was causing the problem. They told me the issue was the lock cylinder not reading my pass key and that the car was thinking I was trying to steal it. When I explained to them that in that case I would just not be able to start the car and that the issue was still the column lock not the lock cyclinder, they told me I was wrong and that they worked out a great deal for me with the factory who would pay for the part, but I'd still be responsibble for $400 in labor. I told them to shove it and give me the car back, towed it to RPM in Canyon Country (SoCal) and Charlie just went ahed and raised the fuel cut-off to 256mph. Since then I replaced the battery with a new one and the message still pops up on occasion, but since GM removed the lock plate and the fuel cut-has been changed, it only results in an error message that's gone with a push of the reset button Thanks Charlie and HP Tuners software

 

I didn't think GM would remove the lock plate on a manual trans car. You got a dealer to do that?

 

I have not had my car that long but I did check the GM Warranty records and it had the recall done back in 2006.

All I know is that the column doesn't lock. So I assume it had something removed or modified as far as the locking system. It is a 2001 M6.

 

I went round and round with GM customer service, called the NTHSA, filed a case, reffered the case back to GM. Told them this is their problem (bad design, parts etc) that has not been properly delt with to this day. Also told them I'm a dedicated GM customer; Tahoe, Silverado, Camaro, Corvette...ultimately they recommended I buy a C6 which wouldn't have this problem. Sooooo, I was able get the wheel free, install the clb and have a tuner top out the fuel cutoff setting. My wifes 2003 Tahoe has had a front suspension/steering malady since new that the dealership has not been able to fix

 

My column lock would lock up intermittantly. Motor was weak. Dealer wanted 900.00 for new motor assembly. I cut my locking pin off and never have to worry about it agian. Be aware that a new battery may not solve your problem.