Have owned the car for about 2y and it has the "GM Campaign" sticker on the fenderwall - what would make this suddenly start appearing? I know - pull the codes!

 

I see an LMC5 in your future young man.

 

Is this the dreaded steering column lock issue? had it happen to me and bought a harness kit to fix it.

 

weak battery

 

Yeah thats what i thought too, had that happen to me

 

will it never end ?????????????:a ck:

 

The battery is OK - on a tender and I drive it now only about once every 2 weeks (when I have a shot at dry roads here in NJ). Doesn't the "campaign" sticker mean that the column-lock thing was done at the dealer? Unlike some others - this code is not interfering with the operation of the car - starts and runs just fine - and when turning it off I hear the "growling noise" in the steering column that something related to key lock is going on.

 

Moved to C5 Tech.

 

My car (2001 6M) did this from day one of purchase (last December). I hoped it was a weak battery (the battery died the first week I owned the car) and a new battery would solve it. It did not. However, the battery I purchased (Interstate through Costco) even though sold as a fit for the Corvette was not up to the rather robust OEM specification (either in CCA or RC). My car started an ran just fine with that new battery, but I was continuing to get the pull key message.

Those on the forum suggesting a parasitic drain somewhere are most likely on to the source of the problem--- this column system wants to operate correctly only if it is fully powered (the car may start with a low battery, but the column lock mechanism wants full power). If your car does not (or tends not to) display the pull key message after you have started and driven the car...then it is acting just like my car. All the while I had the LMC5 ready to install, I had to live with the pull key for few weeks, waiting for the first warm day to install it. I finally had that opportunity a few weeks ago. While my car may continue to have a parasitic drain somewhere (whatever it may be...it is not so bad as to drain the battery to the point the car will not start); after I installed that LMC5, I no longer got the pull key message. If I were more electronically talented, I would enjoy tracing the source of my car's drain...but I'm not. So will live with the drain and the LMC5 as the solution (at least so long as the drain it is not eating batteries).

So you can count me among the chorus of those who would suggest you get the LMC5. I found it slightly challenging to install- but doable. My steering column locked (I had only the first recall)- so had a preliminary step to perform (all of this explained in the instructions). If your steering wheel still locks, then you may be running a bit of a risk of the wheel locking when you do not want it to. The LMC5 install will disable the locking mechanism.

The LMC5 is priced reasonably, the fix I wish GM had come up with in their first recall and it can be installed in less than an hour. A half an hour if your are able to read the instructions once and follow them (I needed to read and re-read, being of the measure twice cut once philosophy). Count me as a satisfied customer.

 

I see this on occasion, even with the lock bypass installed. I understand this is simply a message about insufficient time for the security system to verify the key. I am ever hurried and while my start routine of inserting the key upon initial entry, then fastening the seatbelt plus any other wee tasks, typically precludes the message.

If it becomes routine, I'll first try cleaning the key and reader with electrical contact cleaner, ensuring proper contact.

My info on Interstate batteries is they're cheapened to the point of my chosing other brands, ala the old Sears-go-round with frequently 'warranteed' batteries (and drills) costing more than just purchasing a higher quality unit.

 

I posted about this last month, my 97 started with the pull key wait 10 seconds message, but no service column message. I verified that the car had no excessive current drain, and finally swapped the battery with my boat battery which I had in winter storage. The message has only happened twice afterwards. Sometimes people replace the battery but that is only helping because of problems with bad battery cables, poor contacts in the ignition switch contact block, possible bad grounds, and of course dirty contacts on the key switch and or key pellet, I am sure GM engineers designed the electrical system to be tolerant of a few 10nths of volts lower battery voltage.

 

Even if GM did the column-lock fix, get the LMC5, install it and do the brown wire mod. No more issues. Takes about 30 minutes if you read all instructions and are slow. Price is low and great customer service. Worth every penny!

 

Strange - took it out last night and no "pull key" warning. It was also about 20deg warmer than the last time I had it out. I'm wondering if the colder temps interfered with "something mechanical" which fired the warning...

 

Do the LMC5.

 

I found mine would trigger a lot if I got in and turned the key too quickly. I had the LMC5 installed but went ahead and did the brown wire mod. Haven't seen the message since.

 

Actually, it might be worth speaking to Richard at Compliance Parts before doing the "brown wire mod." I spoke to him last month before ordering my LMC5 and he advised against routinely doing the brown wire mod. If the standard install solves the problem, no need to do the mod. While it might make sense to just do the mod and save the trouble of having to go back in and address the problem later; Richard expressed to me that it is better to alter the wiring only as much as absolutely necessary.

My experience with the installation was that it took me closer to an hour. But my column locked, so I had to do the preliminary step to disable the lock. I found detaching the black connection at the top of the BCM challenging and the wires in my connection were all rather reluctant to release (probably poor technique on my part). But the process is well explained in the instructions and my install LMC5 solved the "pull key wait 10 seconds" issue.

 

As a new C5 Corvette Owner, I find the LMC5 is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MUST DO item whether or not the GM Recall has been performed or not.

I have a 2001 C5 vert. Had this error message and, despite reset CB 25 and 28, car would only drive up to 1 mph indicated on the HUD riding the clutch and then the fuel would cutoff and you have to restart which you end up doing every 20' to 100' - I went about 3,700' and restarted at least 40x.

1) If steering wheel turns without key in = GM recall done. BUT YOU ARE NOT FREE FROM THE 1 MPH FUEL CUTOFF CRIPPLING THE CAR.

2) If you hear a "Zzzzt" a moment after key removed, the lockout servo is still installed but the lock plate won't allow it to stop the wheel (or lock plate is gone).

A ground short or sync problem can create this Pull Key - Wait 10 secs and Service Steering Column error and put you in fuel cutoff <2 mph mode.

This happened to me .7 miles from home that's 42 minutes at 1 mph. My sons came and helped push at 3 mph on flat areas so it took 30 minutes riding the clutch the whole time on engine power.

LMC5 by http://www.complianceparts.com/products.html is the fix and you would be well advised to keep it plus a battery-powered work light (you disconnect the car battery to do this fix), a flat head screwdriver and 1/4" and 5/16" wrenches in your car (they include them for $5 more for a total of about $48) - cheaper than the lost clutch life by riding the clutch for a half hour.

Or better yet, just DO THIS FIX RIGHT AWAY unless you really want to see if a random tow truck driver knows how to safely tow your vette.

Complicance Parts are in Malibu, CA and Richard was awesome and came out to meet me there (they are mail order only) so I could get my vette back on the road the same day.

The instructions are super clear with color photos and everything included. I took my time without rushing - 2 relaxing hours, but it could be done in the 1/2 hour some have done it in.

After the fix no more "Zzzzt" sound of the servo, no more DIC Errors car runs great.

I thought it might be related to Window Valet by Tip Top. That is the only electrical mod I have done in the two months of ownership. Richard said it could have de-synched the steering column lock as the Window Valet takes processing time from the body computer.

I tried to remove the valet to reset the error, but once the steering column is out of sync even resetting the CBs didn't help. Richard said it might've helped to reset the car by disconnecting the negative battery cable.

TAKE AWAY: The LMC5 is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MUST DO item for the C5 whether or not the GM Recall has been performed or not.

I'm thankful it happened so close to home and Richard from Compliance Parts.

 

How is it that I could have the "pull key - wait 10sec" msg yet no problems driving? I do have the "zzzt" (growling) noise...

 

I got the Pull Key message just before the Service Steering and the fuel cutoff.

I have read about people just getting the Pull Key nuisance message without the rest.

But after sitting in a dead vette with my actress friend. Her having to Uber home and me having to face towing my vette...

The LMC5 would stop the nuisance message and prevent further worsening conditions. Richard at complianceparts.com has your answers. He is friendly, owns and promotes corvettes, and answers the company phone

I am a new c5 owner (my first vette after looking for years) and not affiliated with compliance parts at all. I just wish someone had recommended I install the LMC5 from day one.

Everyne said make sure the GM steering wheel lock was defeated. It was fine in mine, but that isn’t the end of the errors.

If you still hear the “zzzt” from the steering column after removing your key, you are in danger of the fuel cutoff.

I consider it it as basic as making sure there’s enough oil after drivingover 4000 rpms and knowing if you have run-flat tires.

 

Probably during a tune, the 2mph was raised to 150mph or higher. Normally if you get the message: pull key... and try to drive, it will only let you go 2mph. You can bypass this and other settings via a tune. Most likely culprit is a weak battery.