Rob4092xx

Just received the response to my complaint with GM reference DBS.

They advised “no such problem” exists if the vehicle is shut down “per the owner’s manual instructions.”

My complaint number was 1-371989408.

Is GM really working on this issue?

corvettetanner

Maybe they realized that there is no DBS problem if the vehicle is shut down properly.

LTC Z06

We have thread, and I think I added toward the end of the FAQ, that GM has some engineers working on the problem and want input from owners.

LTC Z06

C6 Dead Batteries - A GM Response

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[I published this in the General Section near the end of a very long thread on the DBS issue. Thought it would be of benefit to post it here as well]

Sometime ago Jeff and I asked for information regarding your DBS problem, that we would forward it to the GM team working on the solution. As a result, several C6 owners were put in direct contact with our source and have been working with GM to identify the root cause. A number of you have suggested that GM is wearing blinders, which is not the case.

I received the following letter from our "Friend in High Places" which provides an update as to GM's efforts in trying to determine the cause and provide a fix. It is addressed to those of us who have been in direct contact. You are NOT being left out in the cold by GM!

Our source asks a question of us at the bottom of his letter. Please reply to me with any input and I'll see that he gets all responses: c5bruce@adelphia.net

Hello Everyone: I'm sure most of you do not know each other but you are all Corvette enthusiast that I have been communicating with regarding your dead battery syndrome. I just wanted to give everyone an update so you know where we stand. I was off on vacation in November and December but rest assured the project is moving forward.

There is a complete team working the issue and a specialist in root cause analysis has also been assigned. We have been successful in identifying
some issues that are not causing the condition and we also believe that it can not all be associated with customers not putting the car in reverse. Especially with this group I trust you all fully understand and practice the proper shut down procedures.

As you know for 2006 the shift to reverse feature was eliminated. GM was successful in convincing the Federal Government that this feature was not
essential in preventing car theft. While the Fed ruled GM could discontinue it on future models it did not approve a retrofit that would eliminate the requirement for 2005 models. So 2005 cars are stuck with it.

Also for 2006 the column lock feature has been removed. We are not sure how much, if any, this influences DBS but it is a difference we are investigating.

We understand there are two switches that are used to tell the BCM the shifter is placed in reverse. If these switches are not activated the BCM does not actually shut down the electrical system. The car could believe it is not in reverse and stays live, even when the shifter is in reverse.

We are developing a couple of testers that can easily be installed in a customer car and monitor these circuit and switches. We will be installing it in one customer car next week. We have had two test
computers built that are currently on customer cars that actually monitor battery voltage, amp draw and ignition cycles every 30 seconds. The computer is not invasive and the customer can drive the car while it stays connected and monitors the data. We are looking to our engineering group for more improvements that can determine if a module is not going to sleep as it is intended and identify the naughty module.

We are also looking at stray radio waves that could be waking up the BCM once it is asleep much like doing an key fob button press. In one case we identified a customer's car that lived close to the security gate for their neighborhood. Every time someone hit the button to open their security gate their car would wake up and go through the 20 minute shut down
procedure.

Each of you have been supplying information and data particular to your car and some of your friends. I thank you for your continued support and patience. We are making progress but since I have no idea how long the road is, I can only tell you when we can finish the race. Rest assured we will not quit until we identify the issue and correct it. As more information becomes available I will pass it to you.

If you are still driving your cars and don't happen to be hampered by Michigan's winter and bad roads, you could try something for me. As you drive and park the car and shift to reverse, once the car is in reverse do you ever get the message to shift to reverse even though it is there? Just curious. If you do experience this event please let me know.


Have a great January, enjoy the Detroit Auto Show if you are coming this way.

TheJimer

Rob,
I guess only you can answer the question, do you faithfully shut down the car each and every time per the owners manual instructions?

If the answer is truly a “YES”, then I would say that GM is wrong and DBS really does exists!

Jim

AA2PR

Rob4092xx

Check the phone number. your missing a digit.
And thanks for the heads up.

AA2PR

They also deny "the sky is falling" , and it is.

Steve Germany

but I don't think that he was intending for you to dial his complaint serial number.

double eagle

And the world is flat...

JoesC5

For years GM denied that the C5 had column lock problems also. They finally had to tell the Feds that there was a problem(that a C5 could be driven at speed with the column locked) and they had to have a recall. I don't believe anything GM says.

not08crmanymore

We should all sign a petition,of sorts,about the DBS ISSUE,and send it certified to GM.This way,we'll know that they know!!

warthog34

that's a good idea, may be tough to organize, but good.

Top Flight Reproductions

You mean it isn't?

Rob4092xx

Yes, I am the only driver and very conscientious of not only shifting into reverse, but moving the wheel until it locks.

I posted my complaint number in case another forum member wanted to make reference to it with their complaint.

ajfruscia

I got it! I really do!! This is no BS, DBS has gotten me 5-6 times, 2 different cars. My car has been in the shop 3 times once for 5 days. (NO OTHER PROBLEMS 8K miles) I’ve tested my theory for 4 months with NO DBS! Patience is key…you must follow this shut down procedure.
1) Ensure car is in reverse with e brake up prior to pressing the off button.
2) Ensure steering wheel is straight.
3) Press shut off button.
4) Before doing anything else (DO NOT OPEN DOORS) shake steering wheel to ensure it’s locked, shouldn’t be hard to do if the wheel is straight.
5) THIS IS KEY before opening any doors listen for 2 distinct clicks. (It might be relay’s clicking off, but I’m not positive) 1st click will come from the engine compartment behind the dash (center to passenger side) the 2nd will come from the steering column. Both clicks should happen about 3-8 seconds after the car is off.
6) Then exit!
This may sound strange but I’m telling you all it works!!! I am obsessed with this. It works!
If you are having true DBS episode please give this a try. If it works great if not no harm. I wish it didn’t have to come down to this, GM should fix it…my bet it’s in the steering column lock or timing of the reverse switch.

orca1946

busysignal

I noticed the gentleman mentioned that one Corvette parked near a security gate was triggering the event. Do you think any automatic garage door opener could do the same?

AA2PR

My apologies for the error. I thought it was the complaint number and wanted to register support for the issue that seems to be common. About the reference to intelligence i won't dignify that with a response

WWK888

Lighten up, it was meant as a joke.

VET4LES

I am happy that the 6 steps are working. I must say my 05 MN6 with 7000 miles has never had DBS and I only do step one. Sometimes I don't put on the emergency brake and the only problem with that is the seats and steering wheel don't retract. I know many C6's have the problem but not all of them. I hope my day never comes but it probably will. At that time I will install a priority start.