Word to the wise

[The Drakester]

I recently put in a thread about an inspection faux pas that occurred at the dealer.

Well as it turns out that is not the only thing!

I when there to have the ignition lock safety recall done. As it turns out they reflash the ECM to do this and it made the car not so very drivable when it was cold. I spoke to the dealer and they didn't have a clue so I called LPE. They immediately knew what was wrong as it had happend many times. The dealer had removed the custom LPE program in his recall process. Fortunately, I had not driven the car hard or it could have damaged the engine. I am getting a programmer from LPE with the correct program for my car in it.

Point: If you have a custom program and are contemplating the safety recall, check with your tuner first.

 

[warren s]

This is long known issue with the recall, the first process is to re-flash the computer to make sure it turns off the engine if the colume locks. So the recall really does little to fix the potential problem, it justs protects GM from additional lawsuits from owners being able to drive with the colume locked.

 

[Cessna 182]

How can I tell if column lock recall has been done?

I have a 99 manual. i bought it a year ago how can i tell if the column lock recall has been done?
Many thanks

Jim

 

[The Drakester]

The dealer will be able to tell from the VIN

I have a 99 manual. i bought it a year ago how can i tell if the column lock recall has been done?
Many thanks

Jim

 

[Gorgon]

I have refused to get the column lock fixed just because of this issue. I have an LS1edit on my C5 and once I heard about the ECM flash I have just ignored the recalls.

- Leon

 

[vet346]

GM Recall

I won't take mine either, it's to me a worthless recall. First it does not take care of the column lock problem like said above, but it also will cause the car to shut off if the Column does thinks it's going to lock on you.. Then what happens? Flat bed the car to the Dealer have them reflash the ECM??

Not me, Ill deal with the lock problem first.

As noted this is a old problem,, If you have a custom Tune, don't let them do it..

Ernie

 

[The Drakester]

Update!

Well, I'm back in business after getting a programmer from LPE with the proper program in it. Now I am off to the dealer to give them a growling.

 

[99bronzecoupe]

quick question. J just bought my 99 coupe and had take it to the dealer for some other work and they did the recall while it was there. I was told the car had a "chip" in it. meaning high performance chip. But I have no proof in writing that it does. Is there a way I can find out if it has a "chip" in it?

 

[silver98]

There is no 'chip' for the Vettes. Just a tuning program that can be loaded into te ECM

 

[Mr. Lucky]

There is no 'chip' for the Vettes.

Actually, there is (it's not very popular though). The dealer would be able to tell because it "piggy-backs" onto the OBD-II port.

http://www.autoanything.com/products/product_gnn.aspx?p_id=1777&se=jet_performance_chips_power_control_module_pcm

 

[99bronzecoupe]

Thanks..I've looked at the ECM on the passenger floorboard, nothing piggybacked..I guess I will have to have it reprogrammed if I feel a difference than how it drove before the recall.

 

[silver98]

Actually, there is (it's not very popular though). The dealer would be able to tell because it "piggy-backs" onto the OBD-II port.

http://www.autoanything.com/products/product_gnn.aspx?p_id=1777&se=jet_performance_chips_power_control_module_pcm

Thanks, I did not know that

 

[mrm1149]

It's my understanding that the only cars that get flashed as part of the recall are the MN6's. A4's get a smaller plate that the lock cannot engage into and the k-harness(which has been proven to have bad relay problems)

 

[jrose7004]

I try to steer clear of dealerships!

 

[Patrick]

I try to steer clear of dealerships!

I disagree. Some Chevrolet dealerships will have well trained technicians in dealing with Corvettes- people like C4C4Specialist, who have accumulated their training and education with a vast amount of support from the dealership itself. Admittedly, those are the exception, rather than the rule, but if you find a dealership that has such a specialist, they are worth their weight in gold for your car.

The problem is finding such dealerships, and your best source of information for that is local Corvette clubs.


-Patrick

 

[invinceablevett]

Update!

Well, I'm back in business after getting a programmer from LPE with the proper program in it. Now I am off to the dealer to give them a growling.

Nice vette you got there.... ...let them eat some rubber...lol

 

[mqqn]

Hi Drakester -

Yup - that's good advice -

I just got the third or fourth recall notice for my Z06 - but since I have a custom tune, I am not going to let them do the work.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[schmaltzr]

I agree Patrick. I think the dealerships have been pretty good to me so far. I did have one snafu last summer, but it was becuase the mechanics manual the mechanic was going by was incomplete in its instructions for replacinig the oil seal on the rear main. The dealership has also gone to bat for me to get GM to chip in for some of the repairs that were obviously rework from another dealership prior to my ownership. 60% of the bill was cut off. I didn't even ask them to do that. I don't think you'd get that from an independent.

 

[Pegasus]

Thanks..I've looked at the ECM on the passenger floorboard, nothing piggybacked..I guess I will have to have it reprogrammed if I feel a difference than how it drove before the recall.

Just one problem here. The item you were looking at was NOT the PCM, but rather the BCM (Body Control Module). The PCM is located underneath the battery in front of the firewall. To access it you must first remove the R/F wheel then remove the close-out panel at the rear of the wheelwell. Both the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) and the TAC (Throttle Actuator Controller) module are located there. HTH

BTW, FWIW I too have chosen not to get the "recall" done and have installed a Column Lock Bypass. No worries with a locked up steering wheel.