Help! Disabling F55 Ride Controller

[Mojo]

Can anyone tell me how to disable the F55 ride controller? Removing the RPO from the BCM and unplugging the leftmost connector on the ESC removes the 'Service Ride Control' message, but makes the car go instantly into limp mode 'maximum speed: 80mph' without throwing any DTC's.

I need to get rid of this, as I have replaced the factory leaky mag ride shocks with bilsteins. I am unwilling to pay the 1k per corner for the factory shocks. I intend to put some Z06 or Z51 shocks, springs, and sway bars on.

 

[zagger]

I've seen simple plugs that install over the harness where it plugs to the shock and simulates its still there. Unfortunately I can't remember where, I'll try to find it. Meanwhile a call to Bilstein might produce some answers.

 

[Mojo]

The plugs don't seem to do the trick. With the plugs in, it will go into a "codeless limp mode" where it gives me "Max Speed 80mph" without throwing any DTC codes. This usually happens under brisk acceleration or a sharp turn. I'm thinking some sensor that is expecting input from the F55 system or something.

I want it programmed out so I never have to deal with it again. I even plan to remove the switch from the console.

BTW- It seems the F55 system is more involved than the F45.

 

[Hib Halverson]

My understanding was that it is not possible to fool the car's on-board diagnostics into thinking that F55 is there. I will be very interested to follow this thread to see if my belief is wrong.

The car does have a lateral acceleration sensor but that sensor is not only used for F55 but is also necessary for the ABS and active handling to operate.

Indeed, F55 is "..more involved than the F45."

 

[Mojo]

After calling every dealer and 'specialist' in Kalifornia, I ended up taking the car to Corvette Specialty of Riverside. They were the only shop in the state that said that not only did they know what to do, but they had experience in this very job. They ended up removing the ESC, downloading new code from GM and reflashing every module in the car with code from a non-F55 equipped car.

Problem solved!

 

[Hib Halverson]

Rather than trying to fool the system into thinking F55 isn't there, simply replacing all the cals with non-F55 programming, makes a lot of sense.

Curious...if you would, can you say how much the work cost?

 

[Mojo]

Sure! He charged me $600 for the work. I would have been happy to pay it, even if the dealer I bought the car from hadn't agreed to pay for half.

 

[LLC5]

Sure! He charged me $600 for the work. I would have been happy to pay it, even if the dealer I bought the car from hadn't agreed to pay for half.

Sounds like a good way to go if all your other systems function properly. Do you know for sure that your active handling is still operative?

 

[Mojo]

Sure do! Active Handling seems to be working very well.

The only problem I have with the car now is that I get a service column lock message that I have to clear every time I start the car after the reprogram of the BCM. I was told that I need a new BCM to clear the message because my current BCM will not accept anymore reprogramming. Apparently they can only be flashed so many times. I'm not willing to spend $600+ just so I don't have to push a button...

 

[Hib Halverson]

Sure! He charged me $600 for the work. I would have been happy to pay it, even if the dealer I bought the car from hadn't agreed to pay for half.

A resonable sum, I'd say.

 

[killain]

Can anyone tell me how to disable the F55 ride controller? Removing the RPO from the BCM and unplugging the leftmost connector on the ESC removes the 'Service Ride Control' message, but makes the car go instantly into limp mode 'maximum speed: 80mph' without throwing any DTC's.

I need to get rid of this, as I have replaced the factory leaky mag ride shocks with bilsteins. I am unwilling to pay the 1k per corner for the factory shocks. I intend to put some Z06 or Z51 shocks, springs, and sway bars on.

Hay MoJo, Can i ask you what was the problem with the F55 shocks on your 2004 and is the $1000.00 price for each replacement shock? Also isn't there a cheaper replacement somewhere in the aftermarket for the F55 mag ride option? $1000 seems really high for a single shock, and wasn't this covered under your warranty, if it was still in effect? Thanks for the info.
killain

 

[Mojo]

I was exaggerating with 1k per corner, they are actually something like $850 per corner. There are no aftermarket replacements, and the shocks tend to get leaky right about the time the warranty expires and they are not rebuildable. Add to that the fact that at the stiffest setting, the Bilstein sport shocks, factory Z51, and factory Z06 shocks all perform better at a fraction of the price, and there is no sense in replacing them.

 

[killain]

I was exaggerating with 1k per corner, they are actually something like $850 per corner. There are no aftermarket replacements, and the shocks tend to get leaky right about the time the warranty expires and they are not rebuildable. Add to that the fact that at the stiffest setting, the Bilstein sport shocks, factory Z51, and factory Z06 shocks all perform better at a fraction of the price, and there is no sense in replacing them.

I found a website, Gm buy-oem parts.com that sells the F-55 front shocks for 509.16 they sell from the dealer for 809.00 and the rear shocks sell for 509.16 for the right side and 571.46 for the left side, from the dealership, they sell for 814.66:ugh

 

[Mojo]

So, consider the fact that at the best discount a set of four F-55 shocks will set you back about $1200, and you can get a brand new set of C6 Z06 shocks for under $300, or lifetime warranty Bilsteins for about the same price, replacing the F55 shocks just doesn't make any sense.