please help with possible fuel shut off

[thbwl-z06]

I am new to the forums, but after reading the depth of knowledgable advice, I wanted to join and seek advice. I have tried to search a bit before asking my question, so here goes. I have a 2001 Z06 that I purchased last summer. I had read about the infamous steering column lock issues that have been written about extensively. I had some mechanical work done in Oct that meant the battery needed to be disconnected and after the work was done, the "service column lock" signal would come on every time I started the vehicle. The steering wheel would not lock up, has never locked up, so I just reset the message everytime. I thought there had been recalls issued in 2004, and figured that maybe it had been serviced and that the message would just come on but not lock - no big deal. Then the other day after driving with no issues, I parked her to go in for an appointment. I came back about an hour later, succesfully unlocked the door electronically, got in, normal accessories came on with the key, turned key to start, everything went dead. Turned key back again, absolutely no juice, no accessories, nothing. I called a friend who came with some jumper cables, hooked up the batteries, immediately had all the accessories again but would not crank, just got the click click click going on. So I pulled the battery, took it up to Advanced Auto, they checked it out, it showed ZERO CCA. Great, so it's just the battery. Bought an Optima red top, went back to reinstall, car cranked stronger and quicker than ever before. THEN (you can bet where this is going) the car cuts out as soon as I go to let out the clutch more than a crawl. I can creep it but if it tries to get past 2 mph, it cuts off. I also get a message telling me to " pull key and wait ten seconds." After reading some more on this forum, it sounded exactly like the potential problems from the recall service for the MN12's where the fuel shut off could be activated after the computer getting "confused" by low voltage or a dead battery. I called my local Chevy dealer, spoke with someone in the service department, he was somewhat vague and reluctant to offer too much advice. All I wanted to know was if I could find out from the VIN if it had been serviced for the recall, and if the situation was as I am thinking, is it something I could reset or change a relay myself. He said, "oh no, you'd have to have us reset it and it's probably much more than that anyway." He said I could call back with the VIN and he would check if it had been serviced. Great, I went to the vehicle, pulled the codes (after reading that here too), and called back with the VIN. He wasn't there anymore, so the service writer said she would run it and check. She came back and said there was no recall for that vehicle. I said "really? nothing from 2004? do you mean mine wasn't serviced, or there was no recall?" She just repeated, "there's no recall for that vehicle" I politely thanked her and hung up. I don't believe her.

SO my questions: does this sound like a plausible explanation for my situation?
was there definitely a recall for the steering column lock issue for all C5 Z06's?
I read about a relay in the passenger footwell, before I go messing something up in there, is that something I can either reset or replace myself, or does the dealer have to do it?

I really respect the advice issued here that's why I'm turning to here first. Any an all advice is very much appreciated. I will post any other information that might be helpful like codes or anything if asked to. Thanks in advance for any help. ;help

 

[thbwl-z06]

After reading further, I wanted to include some additonal info that may be of help.

I CAN turn the wheel with the key out of the ignition. When I start the car, I can hear what sounds like a motor engaging in the steering column. However I can turn the wheel with key out of ignition and the column has never locked up even with the "service column lock" message coming on.

If I have the key in the ignition and and open the car door, I DO get the chime, which makes me believe the BCM is recognizing that there is a key in the ignition.

When starting the car, I can get the " remove key and wait 10 seconds" message. I do as instructed, eventually it goes away, but after starting the car (without the pull key message), the fuel still shuts off after 2 mph.

I will anxiously await any advice.
thanks again in advance.

 

[leftyvette]

Is your Vette an automatic? If so, if you can turn the steering wheel with the key out of the ignition and in Park it has had the recall done. If it is a standard trans it is harder to know without looking the VIN up at the dealer. The C5 electrical problems have run off many a Vette owner. I hope you get some good advice soon. This discussion board has some of the best people that can help.

 

[zagger]

First off the "wait 10 sec" message is probably caused by a week battery. I know you just installed a brand new optima,and that is great, but even a new battery should be charged before installing. You should have a min of 12.7 volts reading on the battery, anything less will probably cause the fault code. Also measure the battery with a good volt meter not the DIC as they are inaccurate in some cases. If you can move the wheal the locking plate has been removed, this was one of the recall procedures. Unfortunately just removing the plate still left behind the rest of the faulty lock mechanism which in your case is not disengaging the lock pin (most likely do to low voltage) and the computer is shutting off the fuel because it thinks you are about to drive with locked column. Try charging the battery, get it going without the message and install a CLB and you will never have this problem again, even with half dead battery.

 

[thbwl-z06]

Thanks for the quick replies. My vette is a 2001 Z06, six speed manual, (M12 I believe). From what I have read, the GM "fix" would have been to reprogram only, so that the fuel would shut off if it happened to lock up. Well, my steering wheel does not lock even with the key out and the fuel shut off is activated.

I do not have a battery charger, so since it is brand new, could I just let the car run at idle for a while, will the alternator charge up the battery?

If in fact the battery is below 12.7 volts and I charge it up to over this, will the fuel shutoff deactivate/reset itself or do I need to physically reset something myself? Will pulling some fuses and replacing them possibly do the trick?

Then having said that, where can I find a fuse box diagram? (I do not have the owner's manual if it were in there to begin with)

Thanks again for your help. Yes I do not want to be frustrated away from this car due to potential persistent issues like this. This is by far the most enjoyable and exciting car I have ever driven let alone owned. When I was shopping around last summer for "something fun", I drove mustang GT's, RX-8's, nissan 350Z's, along with a few others. I saved the corvettes for last (because I didn't want to effect my expectations for the others). I found a place that had C5 coupes, a C5 Z06, and a few '05 C6's. I drove all three, but when I nailed the throttle on the Z06 in second gear getting on to the interstate... that was it! I was sold. Nothing beat that feeling for me, and then the unbelievable handling and cornering that I have come to appreciate, I don't want to sell it.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[zagger]

No need to sell it, the column lock has plagued the C5 line but fortunately it is easily preventable. GM tried to fix it by removing the locking plate or installing K harness on the lock mechanism. There is no easy fix like pressing the reset button, puling the fuse, programing or unplugging the lock mechanism. The way it works is when you insert the key into ignition the first thing that happens is the steering lock is energized and the wheal is unlocked. At that time the computer senses the wheal is unlocked and all goes well, it it does not receive all appropriate inputs from the lock then it throws a code as the one you experienced. The lock system is the week part and it is prone to fail. A CLB device is an electric gizmo you plug into the harness which emulates properly functioning lock mechanism. For several reasons, safety being number one the CLB can only be installed once the wheal has been unlocked. I would strongly suggest you install one before you get stranded and have to flat bed your car to a dealer who most likely will be the only one capable of unlocking the column.

 

[hendel]

I have the same problem. What did you do to fix the problem. Thanks Rick

 

[gmjunkie]

First thing I'd do is Clean All the Chassis and Engine grounds!!!
Then I would also Clean and Inspect both ends of the Positive and Negative battery cables and at the Power Distribution Center!!Clean and Inspect ALL fuse spades too!!
These cars Must have a minimum of 12.5 volts,or strange things WILL happen!!!