GM has released two documents to dealers regarding DBS (Dead Battery Syndrome) software updates to the BCM/ECM. PIC4188A pertains to 2005 cars and PIC4188B pertains to 2006 cars. They are asking for feed back from owners as to any results, positive or negative. Please reply within this thread and I'll forward (cut & paste) your responses to GM in an email. Please consider the following guidelines before responding.

You have had multiple DBS issues and the software update was performed by the dealer.

The software update was performed long enough ago for you to know what the result is, or if no change was the result. Include any resulting changes, if any, which did not pertain to DBS.

Please include the date the update was performed and be sure to include the year of your car and type of transmission. Any other specifics regarding your car are welcomed.

If you have had DBS and another solution was found, please provide that information. Examples might be removal/reinstallation of LoJack, or iPOD accessories.

Note: I am not a GM employee - I'm only acting as an information conduit. Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

Bruce,

I have an '05 MN6 F55 #6810. I have experienced the dbs issue at least once and have had low battery voltage on other occasions. Based upon information gleaned from the forum, I have since replaced my battery with an Optima (red top) and have made sure the car is fully in reverse by backing up just a tad each time I park. This process (fully seated reverse confirmation) seems to have prevented further episodes of dbs with my car. It has been pointed out, on this forum, that the transmission has two sensors for reverse detection, basically, if I recall correctly, one to activate the reverse lamps and one to tell the car it's safe to shutdown. My instance of DBS was prior to my installation of a Hurst Short throw shifter. Recently I began having problems placing the car in reverse with the Hurst short throw shifter, it just so happened to begin after I had the clutch replaced under a tsb. At first I thought there was a problem with the transmission but after talking with a local vette dealer (non gm, private dealer) it was suggested that I look at shifter adjustment before I had the transmission dropped and rebuilt. Long story short, I spent the following day switching between the stock shifter and the hurst short throw. The ability to place the car in reverse with the hurst shifter became so bad that it was next to impossible to properly place it into reverse, I had to wiggle it around alot before I was able to fully seat it, on occassion I was able to catch the edge of reverse just enough to clear the 'shift to reverse' message but the shifter would 'pop' out of gear and into neutral all-by-itself. I reinstalled the 'stock' shifter and it would shift into reverse everytime. I reinstalled the hurst and no reverse, put the stock back in and reverse. During the 'reverse' tests I never started the car nor moved it in anyway. I became discouraged and was prepared to reinstall the 'stock' shifter and blame it on the Hurst when during the reassembly of the console I noticed that the 'stock' shifter would move left-to-right, even though it was in gear. It had basically the same amount of left-to-right movement that one would have if the shifter was in neutral. Even though my reverse issue was resolved I was not satisfied with the excess shifter movement. After studying the shifter I found that the 'clamp' on the transmission connection bar was loose. I tightened the clamp and now the excess play was removed. Encouraged, I reinstalled the Hurst shifter and instantly I was able to shift into reverse each and everytime. Oddly enough, even though the 'clamp' was loose the 'stock' shifter had enough throw to 'catch' reverse each time. After experiencing this, it made me wonder if it would be possible that it could be related to the dbs issue. Even though the 'stock' shifter was able to find reverse with the loose clamp, I wonder it was not fully seated and therefore not properly activating the shutdown process.

Just wondering and reporting what I have experienced with my 'reverse to shutdown' '05 corvette.

 

I have had similar experiences, and have reported it in the past. Especially when I try and shut down pointing uphill.

 

2005 MN6. Reflash done 3 weeks ago so it's too soon to know if the DBS is solved, but none so far. I don't notice any difference in how the car works. No new messages on the DIC and no change in the shutdown sequence. I will definitely post again if I have a fresh genuine DBS incident.

 

I had the reflash a few weeks ago and still get the 'shift to reverse' error. Especially if I park uphill. But no DBS of course.

 

C5 Bruce;
Quick comment-Way to early to determine if the re-flash has worked. My C6,MN6 has had a new alternator, new BCM, new battery, & finally the reflash about 3 weeks ago. My first episode of DBS occurred after owning the car for about 5 months-Lets' give this some time. I would hope the GM engineers would understand.
Much thanks for All your help-Jery

 

2005 C6 with about 7000 miles; jumped it 3 times; so the dealer replaced battery a few months ago, it's dead again for the third time, so it's going back to the dealer Monday. I'll be sure to point out the reflash info, and let you know how it goes from there. It's aggrevating. (The car gets backed up into the garage, so I'm pretty sure it's not that).

 

just out of curiosity. have you checked the clutch rod clamp ?

it's possible to get it in reverse enough to make the car back up and at the same time not be fully seated.

 

Had DBS on my 2005 six speed Z51 four times. Took it to dealer three times and was told they could find no problems with the car. On Sept 27, 2006 dealer downloaded new software to the PCM. Today is Nov. 16, 2006 and I have had no problems with DBS. I will feel better if the problem does not show up in the next two or three months because in the past it sometimes went that long before it happened. The car is parked in the garage 100% of the time and the message never appeared on the display or the horn went off when I closed the door prier to a DBS.

 

Please define and explain?

 

the clamp is that southmost hex bolt. the one on the bottom edge of the pic.



my shifter tube clamp was loose, allowing the tube to slip.

you can test for a loose shifter tube clamp by checking the left-to-right movement of the shifter while it's in gear. if your shifter will move left-to-right while in gear you clamp is loose or slipping.

oddly enough, the 'stock' shifter would find reverse everytime even with the loose clamp.

i'm not saying this is the dbs fix. i'm just woner if others have found or find the same thing, and since it's a reverse issue i wonder if it could be related, that's all.

 

Interesting for sure. I have asked in the past if its possible to have a situation where you might only be 90% in reverse. Enough of reverse to eliminate the DIC warning, but not far enough in to engage the reverse sensor on shut down. This may be another clue to the pathology of DBS.
I don't think my shifter is loose. I'll have to check again...

 

As of Tuesday GM will own my car. So maybe they can use it as a guinea pig. Great car to drive but I'm glad to be through with all the BS

 

Just had it flashed yesterday after a recurring DBS issue. After doing so the check engine light came on but the tech felt it had to do with interrupting an O2 self test while flashing the PCM. Drove 50 miles after that and all was well. I backed it into the garage and left the battery tender off and will see the results. Will post in a week or so...Regards, Andy

 

I haven't had the pleasure od DBS as yet.I have a late (last 887 built for 05) build 05.I pay close attention to shutdown and what my car does.I hear a noise when I shift to reverse which I equate to whatever is supposed to shut off is in fact doing so.I also know that I get plenty of notice/warning if I forget to shift to reverse or leave my key in the car.One thing I have noticed a couple of times is the "shift" to reverse doesn't feel quite right,like this morning when I got to work. It doesn't "feel" like it's all the way in.I repeat the shift process till I get the familiar feel of reverse.14+ months /8400 miles with the car.

 

I called my dealer with the PIC 4188B number, and he said he does not have anything on it. Can anyone give me a source to find this thing? Thanks.

 

Next you get that odd feeling, shift to neutral and see if the 'shift to reverse' warning comes on.

 

When I shift to reverse, I always hear & listen for the "Click".