2 electrical problems
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
2 electrical problems
So every time I'm about to ignite the car, a strange tricking sound goes off right before turning on. It comes from the small speaker by the steering wheel. Also getting the message (service column lock) I don't know how to go about that since this is my first c5. Also my car battery has been throwing weird voltages on the dic. On a cold start it threw 14.2 and now at normal temp its at 13.2 and sometimes will go down to 12.6 and then back up. It is a brand new battery so what the hell are all these problems. Can someone help
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
My car is a 1998 corvette all stock only modification is I got a dyno tune. But this was a while back before this problem began occurring
You have provided us absolutely no information about your car other than it is a C5!!
Just because all the C5 look similar does NOT mean there were not extensive changes across the 8 years the C5 was made.
Minimally we need year, manual or automatic trans and any mods done to the car to be able to provide accurate help.
Would be nice if you put the info in your profile or at least your requests for help.......
Just because all the C5 look similar does NOT mean there were not extensive changes across the 8 years the C5 was made.
Minimally we need year, manual or automatic trans and any mods done to the car to be able to provide accurate help.
Would be nice if you put the info in your profile or at least your requests for help.......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 403
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
So every time I'm about to ignite the car, a strange tricking sound goes off right before turning on. It comes from the small speaker by the steering wheel. Also getting the message (service column lock) I don't know how to go about that since this is my first c5. Also my car battery has been throwing weird voltages on the dic. On a cold start it threw 14.2 and now at normal temp its at 13.2 and sometimes will go down to 12.6 and then back up. It is a brand new battery so what the hell are all these problems. Can someone help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Our Vettes need to have a fully charged battery. Bad things happed when they run down. Your colume lock issue may need a LMC5.
First check out your battery....that may solve your concern. The LMC5 is something you need to address (cheap and easy fix).
Get back to us.
First check out your battery....that may solve your concern. The LMC5 is something you need to address (cheap and easy fix).
Get back to us.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
It's a brand new battery.. I just ordered the lcm5 module to get me through that problem. Hopfully it gets here this week, do you think that is what is draining my car of battery?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Thanks, I just purchased the lcm5 to get rid of the problem
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
BATTERY VOLTAGE! 
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, You are looking at the VOLT METER on the IPC , THAT IS NOT ACTUAL battery voltage!
That is the voltage that feeds the HOT in ON & START / HOT in ON & RUN battery buss that is supplied by the ignition switch.
When the switch contacts get dirty/burnt or weak, the voltage out of the switch will vary a LOT and sometimes out of spec LOW.
Check out this post (YES ITS LONG) and either clean yours or get a new switch:
- C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
If you need to check actual battery voltage, you have to measure it AT THE BATTERY TERMINALS.
Bill
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, You are looking at the VOLT METER on the IPC , THAT IS NOT ACTUAL battery voltage!
That is the voltage that feeds the HOT in ON & START / HOT in ON & RUN battery buss that is supplied by the ignition switch.
When the switch contacts get dirty/burnt or weak, the voltage out of the switch will vary a LOT and sometimes out of spec LOW.
Check out this post (YES ITS LONG) and either clean yours or get a new switch:
- C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
If you need to check actual battery voltage, you have to measure it AT THE BATTERY TERMINALS.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Mar 15, 2016 at 03:00 PM.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the help. This guide here seems to be the one that will help me out a lot. I'll begin to test things out as soon as I'm out of work and find out once and for all what is the cause of the battery drain
Very unlikely that the Column Lock System is draining the car battery. None the less I would STILL install the LMC5 when you get it. Save the instructions after you complete the install in case you begin to get the "Pull Key and Wait....." error message. If that happens then use the " Brown Wire Mod" explained on page 2 of the install instructions.
There are several common causes of battery draining on the C5. Here is a cut and paste of the most common causes from a Bill Curlee post from a few years back:
The correct BCM current draw should be 20 Milliamps or less. Most C5 run around 25ma
but I have see some as low as 15 ma.
Leave the engine compartment fuse box for last and start with the passengers compartment
box first. Pull the power seat breakers FIRST! The power seats have a tendancy stay on
and cause this issue.
Also pull the fuses for the Bose system amp.
Examine the car in the dark for lights staying ON.
Once you prove the interior circuits good,,, check the headlight circuits, and then test
the current draw of the alternator.
Look at my electrical stickey. I think I cover this in detail in that post.
There are several COMMON things that cause excessive current draw
-Seat multifunction switch & Lumbar Switch
- Bose Amp relay stuck on
- Alternator didoes bad and drawing current
- Headlight control module bad
- Interior light on (check in the dark)
- Added aftermarket accessory not shutting off
Check this list against your car.
If you still cannot find the cause of the current drain, here is a link to a more detailed procedure to isolate the cause:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1567522286-post590.html
There are several common causes of battery draining on the C5. Here is a cut and paste of the most common causes from a Bill Curlee post from a few years back:
The correct BCM current draw should be 20 Milliamps or less. Most C5 run around 25ma
but I have see some as low as 15 ma.
Leave the engine compartment fuse box for last and start with the passengers compartment
box first. Pull the power seat breakers FIRST! The power seats have a tendancy stay on
and cause this issue.
Also pull the fuses for the Bose system amp.
Examine the car in the dark for lights staying ON.
Once you prove the interior circuits good,,, check the headlight circuits, and then test
the current draw of the alternator.
Look at my electrical stickey. I think I cover this in detail in that post.
There are several COMMON things that cause excessive current draw
-Seat multifunction switch & Lumbar Switch
- Bose Amp relay stuck on
- Alternator didoes bad and drawing current
- Headlight control module bad
- Interior light on (check in the dark)
- Added aftermarket accessory not shutting off
Check this list against your car.
If you still cannot find the cause of the current drain, here is a link to a more detailed procedure to isolate the cause:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1567522286-post590.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
just figured out what the drain could be , it's the seat motor under the drivers side.it's scorching hot I touched it and burned myself I disconnected every cable that relates to it till I can figure out how to fix that
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
The lcm5 worked like a charm. The service column lock and the noise has gone away. Installed it in about 15 min very straight forward. Now all I need to fix is the seat motor and try to find me a new one
