I was wondering if someone can guide me with a link or some help on here. I have a 2005 C6 vert and recently had the issue with the putting the car in reverse and it not recognizing that the vehicle was in reverse.

I scanned the code and saw that it was the infamous rear light sensors (2 in the 2005). I am in an underground garage and when I tried to boost the car (since the battery died because of the car not recognizing it was in reverse), it will not start. I heard that the computer is now preventing the car from being started in some kind of safety mode.

I need to get the car started because it cannot get towed out of the underground (low clearance). I have the two parts that are required but need to get it to a mechanic to install the two sensors (GM PART 89060011). Can anyone guide me on how to reset the computer as I scanned the code out but that didn't work. I just need to get the car started and it wont let me.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

It's a manual...tow/push/pull it out...

 

I am not familiar with the 05 lockout, but did you hook up the jump pack, clear the code, then try to start the car before removing the jump pack ?
If that does not work, your best bet might be to remove the battery from the car and charge/replace it, then reinstall and try to clear the code/start the car with a fresh battery.

 

I've never heard of this.

 

I'm not sure if I see the whole picture in your post. Have you now got a fully charged battery and the car still won't start?
I would think that the car would start as soon as you depress the clutch, regardless if the transmission is in Reverse or not.

Try disconnecting the fully charged battery for 10 minutes, reconnect and see if it starts. TThat may reset any codes or electrical gemlins.

FYI
On the passenger side of the transmission (just in front of the rear differential), there are only 2 wired connections. One is at the bottom, it is the trans temp sensor. The other (Back up Lamp switch) is above it, near the top but still on the side. Simply unplug the connector, use a 7/8" deepwell socket and unscrew the switch. No fluid will come out. The switch has a ball plunger on the inside that opens and closes the circuit. Screw the new switch in and firmly snug it down. Don't over tighten. Keep your socket straight while tightening so you don't crack the plastic connector. Plug the connector back in.



Report back so we know how you fixed this issue.
Good Luck

 

Same here, EV. I killed the battery several times in my '05 and a jump/fully charged battery always fired it up.
I don't know what the two light sensors in the rear could be...

 

On the 05 only (not 06 up) there are two of the same switches part number 89060011 to tell the computer the transmission is in reverse and to turn on rear lights. If one of the switches fails then they both do because of the way they are wired. The battery is dead but I got a jump with cables and it did not start the car. I guess I could try disconnecting the battery and charging it first does anyone know if that will work for sure? I already cleared the code when I got the jump and the code is not there but car still wont start. the code does not show up now when car is jumped.

this is the issue:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-switch-2.html

 

I'm thinking the switches are necessary to:
Turn on the reverse lights;
​​​​​​Put the car in sleep mode.
I cannot fathom that either switch will keep the car from starting...the car does not 'need to know it is in reverse' to start.
When you say your car "won't start" what do you mean?

 

Battery was completely drained (happened before when alarm stayed on) and then I tried to jump it and it didn't work. the car did start before this issue with a jump. car did not start this time with a jump so I thought computer went into some kind of safe mode and not let the car start. am I wrong? do I just need to take battery out and charge it? its a yellow top.

 

I think the man is trying to say that a failure of the reverse switch prevented the car from entering "sleep mode," thus allowing the battery to drain. Drained battery = no start and all of the other voodoo.

After reading this forum for the last year, I am starting to realize what a sheltered Vette owner I am by driving a C6 A4! My car just starts and goes.

 

Exactly. Charge the battery fully and give it a shot.

 

will do... I had the battery drain before by the alarm and I jumped the car no problem... this time it is just not cooperating so I figured it was something to do with the computer in safe mode. I figured cables giving me a jump from another car running should give me enough juice to start it if the battery was drained by this switch.

 

Battery is now so low that a jump cant provide enough amperage output to charge the battery + start the car.

I've had this happen on cars with a bad short in the battery. Either leave the jumper on for a while to allow the battery to charge, or replace the battery. You can also start the car with the battery removed + jumpers on... but i've read it can damage sensitive electronics as you now have two alternators trying to charge the same battery. I suppose if you turn off the jumping car + use jumper leads + disconnect your battery, it should be fine.

 

So I got a new yellow top battery, hooked it up and still no go. there must be something that is stopping the car from starting. is there any way to start the car without replacing these switches? obviously there is something more happening here as the battery is brand new. the battery is not the problem.

 

It could be a few things that is preventing a start.

Starter solenoid bakelite broken, thus not making connection. Have you checked all the wiring and ground wiring from battery to starter.
Have you checked the main 60Amp fuse, and the other fuses that are part of the charging/starting circuit.
The Clutch Start switch, etc. etc.
Here is the schematics





Starting Circuit Description
When the ignition mode switch is placed in the START position, a discrete input is sent to the body control module (BCM) notifying it that engine start has been requested.
The BCM then verifies that the brake pedal has been depressed with a discrete input from the brake pedal position sensor and that the key fob, with the correct code, is in the vehicle.
After this information has been verified the BCM grounds the control side of the RUN/CRANK relay closing the switch side of it and allowing battery positive voltage to flow from the BATT 3 fuse through the RUN/CRANK relay switch, engine control module (ECM) fuse to the battery positive voltage side of the CRANK relay coil.
The BCM also sends a high speed GMLAN message to the ECM requesting engine start.
The ECM will then verify that the internal mode switch (IMS) is in Park / Neutral or the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
After this has been verified the ECM the supplies ground to the control circuit of the CRANK relay closing the CRANK relay switch circuit and allowing battery positive voltage to flow through the STARTER fuse, the CRANK relay switch to the S-terminal of the Starter solenoid cranking the engine.
Ground is supplied through the engine block.

Good luck