DBS Again!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
DBS Again!
This morning our Corvette club has a dyno session scheduled with one of our local tuner shops. I go out to the '05 and you guessed it-DBS! I had just used the car two days ago and after experiencing it previously I know the right shutoff procedure was followed. I had even pulled the relay 46 that had been discussed on the forum. It is a 6-speed, no surprise. Right now I am so frustrated with it I may either trade it on the spot for an '06 or just cash out and enjoy my '84 and '03 which are actually more reliable vehicles. My patience is really being tested, especially since there is not, to my knowledge, a real fix. I refuse to buy any kind of backup system out of principle; I just want the thing to work! I am not a frequent forum participant, so not sure if there have been any new developments in the DBS situation. Please post if there is anything new. I'm sure bringing it back to the dealer will only result in it being checked out as OK and somehow my fault. I have 4,300 miles on it and took it out of storage on April 1st. Had a battery tender on it during storage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Ok, asked this dumb question before with no answer -- what's the difference between BCMs on '05 & '06 Mn6 cars? In other words, is there a way they could be swapped cutting out column lock and reverse shut down?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by trivette
This morning our Corvette club has a dyno session scheduled with one of our local tuner shops. I go out to the '05 and you guessed it-DBS! I had just used the car two days ago and after experiencing it previously I know the right shutoff procedure was followed. I had even pulled the relay 46 that had been discussed on the forum. It is a 6-speed, no surprise. Right now I am so frustrated with it I may either trade it on the spot for an '06 or just cash out and enjoy my '84 and '03 which are actually more reliable vehicles. My patience is really being tested, especially since there is not, to my knowledge, a real fix. I refuse to buy any kind of backup system out of principle; I just want the thing to work! I am not a frequent forum participant, so not sure if there have been any new developments in the DBS situation. Please post if there is anything new. I'm sure bringing it back to the dealer will only result in it being checked out as OK and somehow my fault. I have 4,300 miles on it and took it out of storage on April 1st. Had a battery tender on it during storage.
But you're probably right about what they'll find.
Get a prioritystart module and keep your car and stay happy! For a small amount of money it will intercept DBS if it should rear it's ugly head again. www.priortystart.com or do a search on the forum for details....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 3
From: Penn Valley California
TriVette,please don't get rid of your car over something that is so easily bypassed with minimal expense.A PriortyStart and battery tender of your choice will all but make this annoyance a distant memory.There is no perfect car,especially when electronics are involved and you may be selling off a wonderful machine only to buy something else with a problem that the aftermarket has no bandaid for.Just look at it unemotionally as just another mod that will allow you to more fully and confidently enjoy your C6.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
I've been frustrated by this too but I haven't had an episdoe since December (knock on wood). I've been following a suggestion I found elsewhere on the forum and each time after I shut down I shift back into neutral and check the DIC to see if it shows any messages. It shouldn't show any if it's truly shut down. I don't know if this has really been the cause of my lucky 5 months without DBS but I'm going to keep doing it as long as I'm on a winning streak.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
I have the same problem (three times). Do me a favor, next time it happens check to see if the steering wheel is locked? The last two times its happen to me, I check the steering wheel and it was not locked. One of the different between the 05 and 06 id the steering wheel lock. Just an idea. 
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by So nsane
I have the same problem (three times). Do me a favor, next time it happens check to see if the steering wheel is locked? The last two times its happen to me, I check the steering wheel and it was not locked. One of the different between the 05 and 06 id the steering wheel lock. Just an idea.
ALthough if you take the time to lock your wheel, you are taking more time to exit the vehicle and giving the shutdown sequence more time and chance to fully turn off. (just my theory)
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
Thanks for the responses. The steering wheel was definitely locked as I had heard about that possibility earlier and have been conscious about it since. I believe someone had also commented a while back about looking for the flashing red security light on the dash indicating all was well. I know that was the case the day after I last drove it as I went in to get my sunglases I had left in the console. Did this disturbing of the sleep mode trigger something? All I did was open and shut the door; didn't have a fob with me. The next day was the DBS.
After 2 hours the battery had charged enough to start it and I did go to the dyno event. No problems the rest of the day. My wife and 89 year old mother are even saying I should unload it after she came home and was surprised I was still there and not gone to the dyno event. If I do, it'll probably be for a Z06. I haven't checked out their site yet, but I'm sure there are some issues also. The Priority Start should be a part of the warranty resolution of the problem as it seems there really isn't one otherwise.
After 2 hours the battery had charged enough to start it and I did go to the dyno event. No problems the rest of the day. My wife and 89 year old mother are even saying I should unload it after she came home and was surprised I was still there and not gone to the dyno event. If I do, it'll probably be for a Z06. I haven't checked out their site yet, but I'm sure there are some issues also. The Priority Start should be a part of the warranty resolution of the problem as it seems there really isn't one otherwise.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 88
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Well I let it sit for 6 weeks in below zero weather and it started right up. I took it to the dealer about 2 weeks ago about this problem and they could not find anything wrong. Its going back in Wednesday for them to tell me there is nothing wrong. I do call On-start and ask them to keep a record on this problem. In Ohio three times in service for the same problem is a lemon. We will see what happens. Any theory is a good one at this point. I do try to make sure that the steering wheel is locked before I get out. Just happen that one warm Friday night the warden was in a good mood and I was in a hurry to get in the house before I missed that five minute window of opportunity. It was a new month. Sunday morning I had the DBS and the steering wheel was not locked when I check it.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 10
From: Mauriceville TX
I have an 2005 6-sp, Z51, with all possible options. I bought the car used...it had about 6000 miles on it. One week after I got it, I experienced what I would call DBS. Had it towed to the dealer, they had it over night and said it started up the next morning. They did tell me that a review of the service history, showed that the previous owner experienced the same thing at around 3500 miles. About three weeks later I experienced another DBS. Had it towed to another dealer were they kept it 2 days and eventually replaced the battery. I've not had a problem since...about 4 months, and there have been times were I would not start the car for up to 2 weeks...it starts up every time. Not saying you might have a bad battery, but that seems to have been my problem. Crossing my fingers.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 34
Originally Posted by billybaloneey
Not saying you might have a bad battery, but that seems to have been my problem. Crossing my fingers.
Also, had to have the battery replace to solve the problem as have too many others. There should not be so many defective batteries showing up in a new car. I would not at all be surprised if an extraordinary number of batteries with internal defects that have been installed on the C6 turns out to be the real cause of the problem in the end.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
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From: Arizona
Originally Posted by silvertc6
Also, had to have the battery replace to solve the problem as have too many others. There should not be so many defective batteries showing up in a new car. I would not at all be surprised if an extraordinary number of batteries with internal defects that have been installed on the C6 turns out to be the real cause of the problem in the end.Why would all the bad batteries just be installed in MN6 and not A4?
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I have had the battery replaced after the first episode. I have experienced DBS twice more after that. Dealer (two different ones) thinks I am crazy because they don't find anything wrong. The last time it was in, the dealer proceeded to tell me it was my fault because I MUST be taking small trips and also I don't disconnect the battery if it is going to sit for more than 3 days.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
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From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by billybaloneey
I have an 2005 6-sp, Z51, with all possible options. I bought the car used...it had about 6000 miles on it. One week after I got it, I experienced what I would call DBS. Had it towed to the dealer, they had it over night and said it started up the next morning. They did tell me that a review of the service history, showed that the previous owner experienced the same thing at around 3500 miles. About three weeks later I experienced another DBS. Had it towed to another dealer were they kept it 2 days and eventually replaced the battery. I've not had a problem since...about 4 months, and there have been times were I would not start the car for up to 2 weeks...it starts up every time. Not saying you might have a bad battery, but that seems to have been my problem. Crossing my fingers.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by silvertc6
Also, had to have the battery replace to solve the problem as have too many others. There should not be so many defective batteries showing up in a new car. I would not at all be surprised if an extraordinary number of batteries with internal defects that have been installed on the C6 turns out to be the real cause of the problem in the end.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
My bet it is the programming in the computer is not detecting the column being lock. Something to do with the shutdown sequent timing, but then again I am not ruling out the battery yet. But the 06 seems not to have the problem and the big different is the locking column and shift to reverse. I do not believe the shift to reverse is causing mine.
The above statement is only an opinion and not based on any facts beside three DBS and twice the steering wheel was not in the locked position. The first time I did not know to check for the steering lock. I would love to check this theory with the steering wheel not locked but how do you tell if the wheel is not locked without turning it?
The last thing I do now before getting out is check the locking position. Sense I have done this I have only had one DBS and the lock was not engaged.
The battery would sound like a better bet if the automatics guys where having the same problem. I think its a software issue.
The above statement is only an opinion and not based on any facts beside three DBS and twice the steering wheel was not in the locked position. The first time I did not know to check for the steering lock. I would love to check this theory with the steering wheel not locked but how do you tell if the wheel is not locked without turning it?
The last thing I do now before getting out is check the locking position. Sense I have done this I have only had one DBS and the lock was not engaged.
The battery would sound like a better bet if the automatics guys where having the same problem. I think its a software issue.