Column lock
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Column lock
Just a note:
I have had the dreaded "service column lock" message for the last 3 times I started my car and drove it.
Today, I go in it, and decided to "pay attention" to whatever I could ascertain by starting it up, trying the lock with the key off, etc.
I tried the wheel with the key on the passenger seat, and the steering lock still rotated, then I put the key in the lock, and for the first time, looked around the dash, and discovered that the battery volts came up real slow.
I HAVE A BAD BATTERY!
I shut it off, and tried it again with the DIC selected to volts, and the volts when I let go of the key after a successful start was around 7 volts, and it climbed slowly to 13.6.
I am going to go get a battery and see what happens.
I just figured I have a column lock problem.
So just a note to everybody, pay attention to your car, it's trying to tell you things.
I have had the dreaded "service column lock" message for the last 3 times I started my car and drove it.
Today, I go in it, and decided to "pay attention" to whatever I could ascertain by starting it up, trying the lock with the key off, etc.
I tried the wheel with the key on the passenger seat, and the steering lock still rotated, then I put the key in the lock, and for the first time, looked around the dash, and discovered that the battery volts came up real slow.
I HAVE A BAD BATTERY!
I shut it off, and tried it again with the DIC selected to volts, and the volts when I let go of the key after a successful start was around 7 volts, and it climbed slowly to 13.6.
I am going to go get a battery and see what happens.
I just figured I have a column lock problem.
So just a note to everybody, pay attention to your car, it's trying to tell you things.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 29
From: Fort Worth Texas
I had the exact same problem.
Initially I thought that it was the recall mod and that it had failed. But after doing some homework, I found out that the Optima Red Top batteries only have a residual charge of around 90volts. The C5 has a unique requirement, where it stores all the BCM sensory information in the ECM memory after you pull the key out. If the voltage of the battery drops below 110volt residual charge ((RC) on the battery nomenclature tag), it dumps all the memory and sensor data. Although it doesn't do this all the time, nor does it do this to the tune, it will continue to do so, unless you replace the battery with one that has a RC higher than 110volts.
I purchased a DIE HARD P4 34/78DT that has a RC of 135. You can expect to pay 216.99 online, or 254.16 with tax at the store.
NO SOONER HAD I INSTALLED IT.. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY PERMANENTLY.
I recommend buying from SEARS, considering that they have a 4 yr warranty/replacement plan.
(That's where I got mine.)
Initially I thought that it was the recall mod and that it had failed. But after doing some homework, I found out that the Optima Red Top batteries only have a residual charge of around 90volts. The C5 has a unique requirement, where it stores all the BCM sensory information in the ECM memory after you pull the key out. If the voltage of the battery drops below 110volt residual charge ((RC) on the battery nomenclature tag), it dumps all the memory and sensor data. Although it doesn't do this all the time, nor does it do this to the tune, it will continue to do so, unless you replace the battery with one that has a RC higher than 110volts.
I purchased a DIE HARD P4 34/78DT that has a RC of 135. You can expect to pay 216.99 online, or 254.16 with tax at the store.
NO SOONER HAD I INSTALLED IT.. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY PERMANENTLY.
I recommend buying from SEARS, considering that they have a 4 yr warranty/replacement plan.
(That's where I got mine.)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I got my red top at Costco. They don't care what's wrong or how long you have it, they just go by thewarranty, and if you cry foul, they refund 100%. I have returned about 6 batteries, and they have been fair with me.
THe red tops have been in in the car for the last 6 years. This is the first time this has happened.
THe red tops have been in in the car for the last 6 years. This is the first time this has happened.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
BUT!
you have to love the fact that there's nothing in your battery box except the battery and dust. There's no acid residue. your car is clean and no corrosion. Is there another sealed battery that gives you that piece of mind for the price?
Another one that's as reliable?
I haven't done any battery research lately. My C4 had a battery that was venting a lot, and I have had to do the baking soda and flush a few times. I ended up putting that battery in my engine run stand and buying a fresh battery for it.
I regret not doing it sooner.
My C5 looks brand new in that area.
you have to love the fact that there's nothing in your battery box except the battery and dust. There's no acid residue. your car is clean and no corrosion. Is there another sealed battery that gives you that piece of mind for the price?
Another one that's as reliable?
I haven't done any battery research lately. My C4 had a battery that was venting a lot, and I have had to do the baking soda and flush a few times. I ended up putting that battery in my engine run stand and buying a fresh battery for it.
I regret not doing it sooner.
My C5 looks brand new in that area.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Sep 4, 2011 at 06:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Ok, I swapped the optma from my truck to the corvette. Column lock problem is gone.
AND as a wonder of wonders, my steering wheel locks again!!
I still have the cruise control kicking off though. occasionally, the active handling will show up as inop. I was hopeful that the battery hiccup would cure them as well. But no.......
A group 75/35 optima is $159 at O'reilly's. Costco no longer carries them.....Good news, I got a full refund from costco as it was only 2 years old and they no longer carry them.
I gotta go get a junk battery and return it to O'reilly's because I walked in without a trade in......$12 bucks!
AND as a wonder of wonders, my steering wheel locks again!!
I still have the cruise control kicking off though. occasionally, the active handling will show up as inop. I was hopeful that the battery hiccup would cure them as well. But no.......
A group 75/35 optima is $159 at O'reilly's. Costco no longer carries them.....Good news, I got a full refund from costco as it was only 2 years old and they no longer carry them.
I gotta go get a junk battery and return it to O'reilly's because I walked in without a trade in......$12 bucks!
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Sep 4, 2011 at 06:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 29
From: Fort Worth Texas
Rc is the key
Look at the battery's RC thats resduile charge, thats what battery is at when you put the key in the ignition. If its less than 100 sometimes you get the column lock sometimes you don't. If you buy a battery with 110 or more column lock goes away. I am not an expert but I have read all the threads its confusing. That's my 2 cents FWIW. good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 2
From: Yes it's hot! Arizona
Ok, I swapped the optma from my truck to the corvette. Column lock problem is gone.
AND as a wonder of wonders, my steering wheel locks again!!
I still have the cruise control kicking off though. occasionally, the active handling will show up as inop. I was hopeful that the battery hiccup would cure them as well. But no.......
A group 75/35 optima is $159 at O'reilly's. Costco no longer carries them.....Good news, I got a full refund from costco as it was only 2 years old and they no longer carry them.
I gotta go get a junk battery and return it to O'reilly's because I walked in without a trade in......$12 bucks!
AND as a wonder of wonders, my steering wheel locks again!!
I still have the cruise control kicking off though. occasionally, the active handling will show up as inop. I was hopeful that the battery hiccup would cure them as well. But no.......
A group 75/35 optima is $159 at O'reilly's. Costco no longer carries them.....Good news, I got a full refund from costco as it was only 2 years old and they no longer carry them.
I gotta go get a junk battery and return it to O'reilly's because I walked in without a trade in......$12 bucks!
http://www.optimabatteries.com/_medi...s/specs/78.pdf
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
