Column Lock again
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,395
Likes: 1,189
From: Lexington,NC,USA
C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Column Lock again
I realize that this topic has been discussed to death, but I have searched the archives and have not found an answer to my question. I have a '98 6 speed with a locked steering column. I had the first recall service performed several years ago and the column lock hasn't given me any problems until yesterday. I have not yet had the second (reprogramming) recall done, but I was wondering if anyone knows how to unlock the column so as to be able to drive the car to the dealer to get it (hopefully) fixed. I have talked to the service departments at two dealerships and they both tell me that I must bring the car in in order to unlock the column. I realize that there is a lot of "stuff" under the panel that is in the way in order to get to the steering column, but is there any reason that this could not be performed by a reasonably competent mechanic (me). Is there some ECM programming involved? Has anyone actually done this?
Thanks,
Charles
Thanks,
Charles
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58,521
Likes: 70
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by cbernhardt
but I was wondering if anyone knows how to unlock the column so as to be able to drive the car to the dealer to get it (hopefully) fixed.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=105&TopicID=1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by cbernhardt
I realize that this topic has been discussed to death, but I have searched the archives and have not found an answer to my question. I have a '98 6 speed with a locked steering column. I had the first recall service performed several years ago and the column lock hasn't given me any problems until yesterday. I have not yet had the second (reprogramming) recall done, but I was wondering if anyone knows how to unlock the column so as to be able to drive the car to the dealer to get it (hopefully) fixed. I have talked to the service departments at two dealerships and they both tell me that I must bring the car in in order to unlock the column. I realize that there is a lot of "stuff" under the panel that is in the way in order to get to the steering column, but is there any reason that this could not be performed by a reasonably competent mechanic (me). Is there some ECM programming involved? Has anyone actually done this?
Thanks,
Charles
Thanks,
Charles
Basically, you have to jerk the wheel back and forth while turning the key to the on position. If you are lucky, the pin with unstick and the column will unlock. I have also heard a mechanic say you can remove the trim plate below the column and tap on the steering column in the area where the actuator is located, and that will usually free it up.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
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From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Originally Posted by TEXHAWK0
You cannot install the CLB until you get the column unlocked. The CLB will not unlock the column.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by TEXHAWK0
You cannot install the CLB until you get the column unlocked. The CLB will not unlock the column.
Last edited by screw991le; Feb 16, 2005 at 02:40 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Yeah, mine was done before too, and I still get them, the funny thing is I just got (about 1 month ago) a letter from GM stateing that there is a colum lock problem with the 1998 C5, (No Doubt) and that I should take it in for a recall.
Well my C5 has been stored for the last couple of months, so I called and talked with a GM rep, they told me that this was an OPEN claim and that I could take it to the dealer at any time and they will honor this free recall.
So when Springs comes, I guess I will take it to the nearest dealer and get it done
Well my C5 has been stored for the last couple of months, so I called and talked with a GM rep, they told me that this was an OPEN claim and that I could take it to the dealer at any time and they will honor this free recall.
So when Springs comes, I guess I will take it to the nearest dealer and get it done
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Lost in the Pine Barrens with only ketchup and relish packs, New Jersey
Originally Posted by bsmith
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 264
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From: Summit Station Ohio
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-‘16-‘17
Originally Posted by cenzo
Is there some way to determine if either the CLB or the recall has been already performed on my newly acquired '99 A4?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
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From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
There are a whole lot of folks who think they can ignore the problem because it will never happen to them. When it does happen they could do us a favor and take their medicine by getting it fixed and not starting a thread that takes any doubt out of how ridiculous the decision was to ignore the problem in the first place
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 6
From: Gulf of Mexico Florida West Coast
Easy Brother, he is just stressed. The knowledge on this forum is plentiful and the quality of its members speaks for itself. Sometimes people just need a little direction. You are right however, you should get the recall peformed. a lock up would be a hassle. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by Shall
If the recall campaign was done at a dealership, it will show on a dealers computer. They should be able to tell you by running the VIN. If an aftermarket solution was completed, you would have to go looking for the pigtail.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by Lusky
Does my 04 ZO6 Z16 need this fix?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
Originally Posted by Shall
If the recall campaign was done at a dealership, it will show on a dealers computer. They should be able to tell you by running the VIN. If an aftermarket solution was completed, you would have to go looking for the pigtail.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 24,592
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From: The Rock Arkansas
Elite Member
Cruise-In III Veteran
Same with MN6's, if the steering wheel turns with the engine off, it has the CLB.
And the CLB kit will disengage a locked column lock during installation. Takes less than hour to install if you go very slow.
column lock
And the CLB kit will disengage a locked column lock during installation. Takes less than hour to install if you go very slow.
column lock
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 19
From: Carson City, NV
Originally Posted by cbernhardt
I realize that this topic has been discussed to death, but I have searched the archives and have not found an answer to my question. I have a '98 6 speed with a locked steering column. I had the first recall service performed several years ago and the column lock hasn't given me any problems until yesterday. I have not yet had the second (reprogramming) recall done, but I was wondering if anyone knows how to unlock the column so as to be able to drive the car to the dealer to get it (hopefully) fixed. I have talked to the service departments at two dealerships and they both tell me that I must bring the car in in order to unlock the column. I realize that there is a lot of "stuff" under the panel that is in the way in order to get to the steering column, but is there any reason that this could not be performed by a reasonably competent mechanic (me). Is there some ECM programming involved? Has anyone actually done this?
Thanks,
Charles
Thanks,
Charles
