I was making a very sharp very slow turn in a parking lot and all of a sudden if felt like the car was having a seizure; felt like a flat tire combined with the engine missing badly, car shaking, etc. The service active handling light had come on. I gave it some gas and in a few seconds it all just went away but it was about 5 seconds or so of 'panic'. WTF happened? Everything has been fine ever since. I had never pushed that little 'active handling' button before. Do I need service?

 

There have been issues like this before. There is a connector under the steering wheel that sometimes malfunctions causing this issue. I believe there is a TSB on it.

Found it:


TSB 06.02.35.002

Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C0710 Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS) Signal, Service Stability System Message on Driver Information Center (DIC) (Inspect and Secure Wires in SWPS Connector)

2005-2006 Chevrolet Corvette

with Steering Wheel - Tilt, Telescoping (RPO N37)

Condition
Some customers may comment on a Service Stability Message on the DIC.

Diagnosis with a scan tool may reveal a DTC C0710.

Cause
The most likely cause of a DTC C0710 on a vehicle equipped with telescoping/tilt steering wheel is high resistance in SWPS connector C202. Fretting terminal corrosion maybe present in the SWPS connector due to the telescoping motion of the steering column. When the steering column is telescoped in and out, the female terminals within the SWPS connector may move on the male terminals of the SWPS. This movement between the terminals may cause a high resistance condition in the SWPS connector.

Correction
Remove the driver's side close out panel.

Notice:

• Failure to properly tape the wires in the connector may result in additional concerns.

• Failure to use a small plastic strap 2.5-3.5 mm (0.10-0.14 in) in width may prevent the SWPS connector from properly seating, resulting in additional SWPS DTCs.

Using electrical tape (1), tape from the plastic strap up the wires a minimum of 2.5 cm (1 in).
Install a small plastic strap (2) 2.5-3.5 mm (0.10-0.14 in) wide around the SWPS sensor connector so that it retains the wires to the connector as shown.

Important: Install and remove the SWPS connector a minimum of three times to remove any possible terminal corrosion.

Reinstall the SWPS connector.
Reinstall the close out panel.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1429960

 

Yes, you need it serviced. Get it in to a dealer soon. The system will save the trouble codes and that will help them diagnose it. Be real careful driving it there, I'd take it straight there - slowly with both hands on the wheel.

 

I'll get the "service active handling" on occasion and had the C0710 code. I want to perform the TSB listed above, but just want to make sure I'm looking at the right connector. Is this referring to the small connector that plugs into the SWPS, or is it referring to the large harness connector that is under the column closer up to the wheel?

I was assuming it was the smaller one on the sensor itself, but in another thread I was reading, they mentioned the larger one. Also, what do I tape and zip tie (plastic strap?)? Thanks.
Joe

 

You should check out my thread about it, I had a scare like that too. Car's been in the shop for 4 days now, they say there is a new TSB that replace the original one.

 

I would take it in and make sure they log that you did have a problem.

Not sure if it still works this way but many moons ago I had an electrical problem with my Pontiac Fiero. I complained but the problem always went away when I got to the dealer. They logged it in their system, but said they could not fix something they could not verify. The problem eventually became solid AFTER my warranty expired. They fixed it and did not charge me because it was logged as a problem during the warranty period. (The speedo needle and tac would point straight down and not indicate anything useful at all).

So - if the dealer knows there is some problem but can't identify the real source of the problem during the warranty, you might still be able to get it fixed after warranty expires.

I have also had (have?) the traction control error. For me it was occasionally accompanied by ABS failure and even some times the gas gauge will read empty. 'Rebooting' the car usually brings it back to life. Does this car have any Microsoft blood in it? They have yet to find the cause of the problem. 3rd time in for this. They have the logs of the many events, I even drove with a logging device in the car for a while. It did not help them track down the issue. Next time I will bring in the service bulletin and see if they have already performed that fix.