Column Lock and Batter Question
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 101
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Column Lock and Batter Question
First, allow me to commiserate with Mech4life89 in a previous post. I previously owned an 85, and found it pretty straightforward to diagnose and work on. I have had my 98 C5, and it seems to run well, but it seems to be an electrical nightmare. I am slowly working through the easy stuff but some still baffle me. I was a crew chief on fighter aircraft, and I had the luxury of calling an electrician when it was beyond my scope. Not so today.
Yesterday, I was about 120 miles from home in the middle of nowhere, in Armagosa Valley, when the "Service Column Lock" message appears as I was starting the car. It went into gear and steering was no problem. I stopped for gas, and instinctively shut it down and thought that might have been a mistake. However it started, ran and steered normally, yet the message persisted no matter how many times I reset the DIC. At home, I scoured through forum posts, and it seemed everyone had an opinion or a fix for the problem. I read of recalls, batteries, grounds, jumpers, LMC5s and other words of wisdom gained through experiences.
Battery: The battery I have now, I know is not right for the car. It is 3 years old and small. it has 650 CCA, 90 RC and is a size 75. It seems to work well, but is on my short list for replacement. What would be the best battery specs for this car? My research says Size 78, 800 CCA and 100+RC. Many would say, Red Top or Yellow Top. I'm not into $300 for a battery, so any other suggestions would be appreciated. My burning question is, can the battery really cause so many problems such as the Service Column Lock message, and other nonsensical messages and codes?
Service Column Lock: Since I got the message, and no adverse operation of the car, where should I look first to fix the problem. This car has had several previous owners, and who knows what was done to it in regards to this problem. Was the LMC5 installed? How would I know? Was the recall done? How would I know?
Sorry for the length of this post. Thanks in advance for some advice.
Yesterday, I was about 120 miles from home in the middle of nowhere, in Armagosa Valley, when the "Service Column Lock" message appears as I was starting the car. It went into gear and steering was no problem. I stopped for gas, and instinctively shut it down and thought that might have been a mistake. However it started, ran and steered normally, yet the message persisted no matter how many times I reset the DIC. At home, I scoured through forum posts, and it seemed everyone had an opinion or a fix for the problem. I read of recalls, batteries, grounds, jumpers, LMC5s and other words of wisdom gained through experiences.
Battery: The battery I have now, I know is not right for the car. It is 3 years old and small. it has 650 CCA, 90 RC and is a size 75. It seems to work well, but is on my short list for replacement. What would be the best battery specs for this car? My research says Size 78, 800 CCA and 100+RC. Many would say, Red Top or Yellow Top. I'm not into $300 for a battery, so any other suggestions would be appreciated. My burning question is, can the battery really cause so many problems such as the Service Column Lock message, and other nonsensical messages and codes?
Service Column Lock: Since I got the message, and no adverse operation of the car, where should I look first to fix the problem. This car has had several previous owners, and who knows what was done to it in regards to this problem. Was the LMC5 installed? How would I know? Was the recall done? How would I know?
Sorry for the length of this post. Thanks in advance for some advice.
Last edited by SteveBougon; Nov 1, 2021 at 02:55 PM. Reason: spelling
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,643
Likes: 4,082
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Thanks and you have a great battery that’s recommended and the max cranking voltage that will help prevent what you’re seeing !!
Last edited by C5 Diag; Nov 1, 2021 at 03:50 PM.
