I have an 05 that I show and track. The car has about 8500 miles on it. Over the past couple of track days, it has developed a unique problem that I cannot figure out. I have narrowed it a little, but do not know how to solve it.

As I am on the track (and sometimes the street), the car will randomly shut down completely! The only thing that comes up on the display is the steering column lock message. When it first started happening, I could restart the car while rolling. This past Monday, I had to pull off, completely shut the car down and shift into reverse, then start back up. When it shuts down, it is as if someone pulled the battery cable as everything resets (clock, radio, etc.)

My first thought was a battery problem. I installed an Optima red top a while back. I checked all connections, and all seem perfect, but I redid them anyway. But the problem continued. I also added a battery emergency pull cord, so I bypassed that, and it still continued. I have Corbeau seats in it with the airbag disconnected, and I thought that might have something to do with it, but I had the seats in long before this problem started. I also have a quick release Momo wheel and again I thought of the airbag being disconnected, but again, this problem started long before the wheel swap.

I had Doug from ECS do a quick check on it at the track the other day since they do the tuning on it, and from an engine point of view, everything was dead on.

Then I had a possible breakthrough (though I still don't know what the problem is). The first time it happened on the track yesterday was on the warm up lap. I normally run the car in competitive mode or traction off, but forgot to switch it when I started so it still had full traction control on. As I exited a hard left hand turn, it shut down. I pulled off and finally got it restarted. I pitted, checked everything, switched to comp. mode, and had no problem. The next 2 runs were in comp. mode and again, no problems. The last run I started in comp. mode, and all was fine. They stopped us and we all pitted due to a car off course. On pit lane, I shut the car off while waiting. When I restarted, I forgot to go back to comp. mode and again about half way through the first lap coming out of a hard left corner (same corner it happened to the first time), the car shut down. I get it restarted, pitted, put it in comp. mode, and continued on with no problem.

Clearly this is a traction control issue, but why would it shut the car down and what (if anything) can I do about it? I am happy I at least narrowed it (at least I think I did) to that, but again, I am not 100% positive. I just don't know what would cause the complete loss of power. If I have to keep it in comp mode, I am fine with that, but I would still like to know what is causing it.

Any help or advice is appreciated!

 

Anybody have any ideas?

 

Nothing comes to mind except the connector issue in the steering column where it separates or corrodes and then you have troubles. I think there is a TSB on it to replace the connector. I think the main symptom of the connector issue was the brakes were being applied causing the car to veer. It was "bypassed" by people by going to "competitive" mode to stop the trouble until they replaced the connector. The wires at the connector were too short and there was stress. Search on "orange connector" something about "active handling" or "Consumer complaint".

That is a wild one and might not apply at all to your situation.

Elmer

 

could it be the steering column lock? im having issues with mine and the car does not start at times. maybe yours startes and then everytime you turn the wheel it thinks the wheel is still locked and shuts down? This is just an idea and im not sure if the computer shuts down the car but i know my car wont start if it thinks the column is locked. Most of the time its not locked though when i cant start it.

 

maybe this,
i am exploring an aftermarket nav for my 2011. based upon what i am discovering, it is possible to have latent ecm issues and other electrical problems directly caused by after market installs and apparently the harness used for the install may not be as good as others. a bunch of people deny this as a possibility but i have discovered that higher volume installers are on top of the problem. i am no expert but i am convinced that issues may well occur well after the install date and the solution is not pretty.

 

I don't think that's clear at all based on your description. You mentioned that the shutdown occurs randomly.

It could be a loose connection, but you still have to rule out the battery itself. A weak battery can cause exactly the symptoms you describe.

 

Did you re-use the stock battery connections AND the original nuts on the connectors? The connectors suck IMHO.

Elmer

 

Hey Jeff,

Sorry to hear about the issue. I think I remember reading about electrical gremlins with the aftermarket spark plugs, have you checked the connections and plugs?

 

Yea, I checked everything. I did use the original battery connections though I do agree, they do stink. I was thinking of trying a different battery since the problems did start after putting the red top in. I just don't understand why it doesn't occur in comp mode.
I am going to spend some time, hopefully this weekend, driving and trying to find some more clues.
Thanks guys for the help.

 

i have a similiar problem with my 05 m6. when the engine is warm, on the comute home, i loose throttle response when I come to a stop, mine will restart and reset right away though. i have checked power and ground from the batter, starter and alternator. the car is driving me crazy as well.

 

I have a friend who works for GM and is going to bring home a Tech II to take a look at it. I too checked everything, changed the plugs, checked the battery, etc. My only 2 thoughts now (even though the symptoms are slightly different) is to recheck the connector that was recalled in the steering column and do something with the column steering lock. My friend says that do have something to bypass/block the lock that will work, but it isn't exactly advertised. Once I get it and figure it out I will do a post as I know alot of people would like to do something with theirs. My thought is that if it still shuts off, at least I will never loose steering.
I am starting to lean towards the connector in the column that has to do with the traction control. This is the one that was recalled and comes loose. It might be it since the car only does it when it is in normal traction control on mode, and not with TC off or Comp. mode on.
I will keep you posted.

 

This could be a reach, but are you using stock wheels and monitors? Those darned tire pressure monitors cause me all kinds of intermittant problems. They simply don't like my 18" rear wheels. The car sometimes has gone into restricted power mode, limp mode, won't go into Comp. mode, won't go over 50mph without switching off the traction control, etc. All intermittantly. Sometimes if I stop and restart everything is fine, othertimes I've had to disconnect the battery and wait 15 minutes to clear the issue. Good luck.

 

You need to see the codes. A Tech2 will do it for you. There are a few other code reader systems with optional GM body codes that will get all of them for you. The readers in the stores will only do the PCM/ECU codes

 

I haven't checked it with a Tech II yet, but had another problem tonight that may indicate what it is, and the above might be right on. At a car show and tried to start, nothing. Figured battery ran down. Wouldn't jump at first til person holding clamp really moved it around a bit. Left and stopped at diner. Wouldn't start when going to leave so twisted on positive battery clamp. It was as snug as can be, but the car suddenly lit up and had power and started. I think it might be a simple as the factory clamps on my red top. I am going to replace them and see what happens. If the problem continues, I will replace the red top. Thanks everyone for their help.

 

I cut off the OEM connectors and installed a pair of universal connectors. The installer had lost the original tapered nut and put a regular nut on the terminal. IT resulted in a loose connection and corrosion. See this for pictures: http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=846931


Elmer