Has anyone purchased and installed the new LMC5 module from Compliance Parts. Looks like it performs as good as the other CLB product for less $$ and easier install. I get the old pull key message about 3 or 4 times a year and am sick of it.

 

My advise is to buy the one Corvettes of Houston sells and be done with it. Dont cheap out here.... you said youre sick of the issue so end it for good with a proven piece.

 

Difference of opinion here. "in the case of the compliance clb" I don't equate less expensive as less quality or cheap. I got my C5Z last fall, (great car by the way) so I am trying to educate myself on this issue among others and have found this forum to be an invaluable asset. Before then I didn't even know the words column lock existed. I have read a ton of posts, Even most of the 85 page Sticky. There are many posts from owners who have installed the current clb from COH or elsewhere but are STILL having troubles and failures. Towards the end of the sticky I came across the mention of the compliance clb so started investigating and discovered they are a forum vendor.

I have read the Compliance website very carefully front to back. I hope anyone who is having or experiencing troubles would do the same.

I have ordered one of their devices. I look at it as my relatively inexpensive insurance policy should any symptoms show. I am not currently experiencing any and hopefully never will, but I wouldn't bet against it. I want to be prepared should the battery decide to misbehave when we are away from home where all the tools live (which usually equates to a bunch of $$$$$). I have studied the installation instructions very carefully. It looks very easy and quick to install, even in the field. As it connects to the BCM directly to make it happy, ALL the upstream possible issues are unhooked and out of the picture.

I sure wish some of the Forum experts on this issue would chime in here and let me/us know if there is something I am missing. I know from all the posts I have read, that the COH clb has been the defacto fix but I'm also not seeing the logic here to discount the new compliance clb.

A quick FYI. I have been in the electronics industry for 30 yrs designing, troubleshooting and maintaining many types of electronic equipment. I have no connections to compliance and don't claim to be an expert. Just trying to figure this column thing out and glad I found what I believe is a better more foolproof, and yes, a less costly fix.

 

No experience with this particular piece but if it's the same design as the others on the market I don't know why you'd have an issue. This CLB is a relatively simple component. If you're good with electronics there's a DIY on this forum to make you're own if you want to get the cheapest CLB you can get... http://shelor.net/Z/CorvetteForum/Cscokd/

 

I haven't mentioned this in quite a while, so I'll toss it out there again, for the benefit of the newer CF members...


The column "locks", by a motor driven pin extending and locating in one of several "detents", which are located on a circular hub in the steering column. When you shut down the car and remove the key, this motor is activated, and extends the pin.

As we ALL know, and have discussed numerous times, this device is far from trouble free in its operation. I tried a CLB, which I assume functions by keeping this pin in a "retracted" condition at all times, but found that it didn't work properly, and almost locked up my column.

Therefore, I took the bull by the horns, removed this "lock plate" from my steering column, examined it, found that there was just enough of a "hub" on it, so it could be chucked in a lathe. After setting it up in a lathe, I then removed the outer portion of the plate, the part that has the "detents" in it. I then re-installed the modified lock plate, and proceeded on my merry way.

The obvious downside is that I've defeated an anti-theft device of my car. The upside, is there's no freaking way that my column lock can malfunction, and leave me stranded.

BTW, if anybody else wants to take this approach, you CANNOT simply remove the lockplate and leave it out of the steering column. The result would be a lot of "in and out slop", as this plate is an integral part of the column, held in place by a snap ring, which is retained in a precisely placed groove in the column. Also, beware, if you try this, the airbag has to be removed, and the obvious precautions have to be observed....

 

The only thing I can say is Ive owned 2 2002 Z06's now and installed the COH CLB and NEVER had an issue with the CLB system. Ive owned my current Z now for 3 plus years and still no issue.

Oh and joyrd 1.... in almost all cases, and by my own personal experiences, I can equate less expensive = lesser quality.

 

I agree 100% with you as a general rule. I should have qualified my statement to say "in the case of the compliance clb" and have added this to my post above. From my experience, I think I know what's inside these things and where the parts come from. The compliance clb just appeared on the scene in late 2011 as another possible solution. I would have done the exact same as you if I had become an owner in previous years as that was the ONLY fix.

 

Expense isn't and never has been the issue for me. It wasn't me who mentioned cost. See post #1.

I am hoping for a review/commentary of Compliance's device. Positives and/or Negatives. From all the posts I have scoured you are the acknowledged Forum expert on this subject and ALL of us value your advice. Thanks for all your help.

FYI. I have purchased one. It will be in my glove box if I have any troubles. My column doesn't lock so I think my only downside is the fuel shutoff. As long as it's working I'm not gonna mess with it. It won't be installed unless the troubles come.

 

Here is a copy and paste from the install instructions for the LMC5. Does this change anything, as it looks like this relay goes away? From what I can deduce is that no matter what the year or what type of transmission if the BCM is happy then there SHOULD be no problems or messages. All the column lock wiring, connectors, relays, column motor, parts are now gone/unhooked. Is this a correct assumption? What am I not seeing here? I sure hope mine behaves as long as I have it!! Thanks!


STEP 2A - 1998-2004 MANUAL TRANSMISSION OR EXPORT ONLY
The LMC5 isolates and protects the BCM from the rest of the column lock circuit, but the steering column lock relay coil is still
connected to the BCM. This somewhat optional step detaches the connector from this relay. This disconnects the relay from
the BCM, protecting your Corvette from any future failure of this relay (ALL relays eventually fail). We recommend that you
complete this step. Note: 1997 6 speed C5s don’t have the column lock relay, so if you don’t see the relay, skip this step.
1. Using the photos below as a guide, locate the steering column lock relay and connector under the dash above the BCM area.
The correct relay connector has 5 wires – orange, orange, green, purple and white, and is usually the relay on the right.
NOTE: Do not remove the connector from any other relays in that area! Only disconnect the relay connector with 5 wires.
2. Remove the green retention clip from the connector by pulling it toward you. Detach the connector from the relay by
depressing the locking tab while pulling back and gently wiggling the connector. Do not reconnect this connector to the relay,
simply tuck the connector next to the relays above the BCM mounting area.

 

I do not know about this product - but, I do know that I resisted buying a CLB for years and it was dumb. Just go get one. They are not expensive and very much worth it.

 

Still just wanting to know if anyone has puchased and installed the LMC5 bypass. What made me interested was the easy sounding install. As far as cost, it is only a few bucks less than the CLB by COH. I did not mean to question anyones ability on this problem (even GM engineers can't get it fixed correctly) just looking for someone who has it installed.

 

I saw these on e-bay back in September/October. I searched this forum and others without success finding any info. I don't like it when a product makes references to its success and I can't find anyone who has used it.

As a result, I ordered one through Corvettes of Houston (Corvette Central also has them for a similar price, other vendors sell them as well but price may vary) The installation really was a 5 minute job in my 2001 Z06. Normally I spend more time trying to remember where I put my tools, banging my head, knuckles, knees, and more when doing some of these simple installs. This one really was a 5 minute job so I will recommend the Corvettes of Houston (or whoever you get the product from) version of the CLB.

 

I have had this problem for 3 years now, with no end in site. I have cleaned grounds, changed batteries, removed the k harness, put it back in. Installed 2 separate CLB's, pulled fuses, left the battery disconnected, I cleaned the key and the ignition switch with contact cleaner. 8vette7 was nice enough to send me a schematic and some help, but still no luck. I am going to play with the car some more today and if I don't get it fixed I will install the LMC5 I ordered last Thursday it should be here today. From what I have read it take the whole circuit out of the picture. There is nothing but the LMC5 in the circuit.
I want to get this fixed as I am planning on selling the car and don't want to have to discount the price for just an error message on the dash. And the bottom line is that's all it is. If your car starts up and has no drivability problems there is no problem other than a message.
If you don't mind pushing the reset button there is no problem.

 

Good discussion. I've been thinking about buying one of these for my car. I have been hesitant for some of the reasons listed here. I was looking at the feedback for this module on Ebay and it has limited feedback, but it's all positive. While looking at the feedback I noticed someone I have dealt with before had bought one. I emailed him and ask what he thought. He said it worked great for him and they had bent over backwards helping him with his problem.

540 Vette, if you get one of these, let us know how it works out for you. I'm not expecting any miracles but I am interested.

 

I bought one put it in and it worked.

 

Thanks, thats the feedback I was looking for. Was it an easy install as advertised? Were the instructions good and easy to follow? Is the quality of the unit good?

Just because there is already something available, it does not mean that there is not a better mousetrap. Thats why there are so many vendors on this forum.

 

As far as I am concerned it was the better mousetrap. Easy instructions, good quality piece. Comes with everything you need to install, took me about 20 minutes.

 

I'm glad to hear it worked for you. I had my doubts, given all you have tried to solve your problem.

 

Glad it's finally fixed

 

Glad it worked for you! I spotted these on EBAY several months ago, and wondered if they actually worked.