DickM

Gentlemen- This is my 2005's THIRD trip to the local Chevy dealer on a flatbed. So far- new battery (old one was due to be replaced). Worked for awhile- 2nd trip they couldn't find anything- said it was fine. 3rd trip- I am telling them it has to be the steering column lock unit. I have read dozens of threads concerning this, and I am positive that it needs to be replaced. They said the BCM was bad- not communicating so they replaced it ($800). I arrived to pick up the car- it was DEAD. 10 days later- now they want to tear the DASH apart and check the modules/wiring on the firewall! This was on the recommendation of Chevy Tech (at corporate I guess). They say there is nothing in the "database" about this problem? I am telling them to REPLACE the Steering Column Lock Unit. Your thoughts?

lordofwar

trade it for a new 1.job done.you can buy a new 1 faster than they can fix a old 1.

EVRose

If you tell them what to replace and not to touch anything else I can't see why they would argue that. If your sure that's what it is then I think your doing the right thing by TELLING them to replace the SCL.

VET4LES

I'm guessing you don't have the GMPP. If not why not take it to a Corvette specialty shop? It sounds like your dealer doesn't know what their doing and throwing parts at it at your expense. Ask them why you should pay for a BCM when that wasn't the problem?

mpuzach

Are you familiar with the phenomenon that's become known here as "Dead Battery Syndrome" (DBS)? (That's a term that was coined here on the forum; it's not an "official" GM term so your dealer probably won't be familiar with the term.) DBS affected a good number of 2005 Corvettes with manual transmission. (Mine had it.) What happens is that even when the car is properly shut down (with the shifter in reverse), some of the electronics sometimes continue to draw considerably more power from the battery than they're supposed to. This isn't something that happens every time the car is shut down; in fact, my 2005 did it only three times in over two years. The problem is that there's really no way to tell when it's going to happen. When it happens, the battery can be nearly completely drained within a few hours.

The good news is that GM eventually figured out that the problem was due to a firmware (I hope I'm using the correct terminology) glitch. They then developed an antedote; by having the dealers do a "reflash" they were able to solve the problem in the affected cars. I had the reflash done to my 2005 approximately five years ago and I've not had a single problem since.

My suggestion is that you have a dealer run your car's VIN to determine whether or not it's received the reflash. If it has not, get it done. (Hopefully GM will still cover it.) There's a good chance it will solve your problem.

Good luck.

CO Lightfoot

Did they check the clutch pedal switch? If it's malfunctioning, the starter won't engage.

More ideas from another thread:

DickM

Yep- I told them to check it the second trip to the shop and double- checked with them yesterday. The steering column lock unit has been ordered...

DickM

DBS has been ruled out- the car has full electrical- plenty of juice- just won't start. Thanks for the tip, though!

CO Lightfoot

Sounds like you're very well-informed. And hopefully the new SCL will fix it.

Let us know what happens.

rowdync

My '05 died several times and ended up being the PCM. Two seperate Chevy dealers replaced the crank sensor(twice), the A/C relay, and the water pump before figuring it out. GM paid for the PCM. I bought my vette at CarMax and have the big warrantee but the PCM was covered by GM.

C7&7

When it doesnt start does a disconnect and reconnect of the battery fix it? If it does then its the SCL. Mine did this a few times, and I thought it was the SCL. I just bought a battery tender and everytime I park it I plug it up and it has not done it again. Fingers crossed.

05C6GAC

There are a couple of other threads on this same topic recently, just do a search!!!

Chevy Cust Svc

Has your concern been resolved? Please feel free to contact me or Justin to provide more information or if you require further assistance. Thank you in advance.
Tricia, Chevrolet Customer Service.

DickM

I just got off the phone with my Bill, my service rep. They replaced the Steering Column Lock unit, took it out for a test drive and it STILL is showing SERVICE COLUMN LOCK on the DIC. We're up to around $2000 parts and labor. They are talking about replacing the PCM next...

DickM

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Nope- when it died for the last time on me a couple of weeks ago in my garage (thankfully) I tried all the "tricks"- turn steering wheel, hit start/access several times, and did a battery disconnect. Nothing worked= called AAA!

AORoads

^^^what he's saying.

LDB

I had what sure sounds like your problem on my 05 MN6 (now sold). Several fruitless repair trips after tows. Often got steering column message when it failed to start. When the problem happened, jumping did not help, so it was not battery. Always tested ok once it got to the dealer's service bay. Finally noticed that it only happened when car was parked in the hot sun, so the dealer put it there rather than in a service bay and it finally failed for them when they had their diagnositic tool on it (in the sun). I'm embarrassed to say that I've forgotten which module it was, but they guy said it made sense since the module in question was right under the hood, where hot sun would raise its temp. I want to say steering interlock module, or some such thing. It was not the steering lock itself. It was a module that was somehow interconnected to that. Sorry I can't quote the exact part, but perhaps that's enough clues to help.

DickM

I think- picked it up this morning- no codes, has started O.K. several times throughout the day. Three weeks and over $2500 parts and labor. After this I thought this would be my third and last Corvette, but after driving around in it most the morning and afternoon running errands, I

boraxman

And the problem was?

DickM

They say steering Column Lock MODULE and burnt out BCM. I had them replace the Steering Column Lock UNIT too. Judging from the way the new one sounds vs. the old one it was either shot or on the way out next...