[Z06] Sometimes I really hate this car
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee WI
Sometimes I really hate this car
MFing column lock while parked in my garage 3 months after the dealership did the column lock recall without asking me.
That was after 3 years of not a single problem with the column lock.
Can't wait to see how we're going to get my vette out of the garage and turned 90 degrees so I can go down the driveway and on to the flatbed. This should be fun. Oh, and it's now out of warranty and I of course get to pay for the tow to the dealership.
[cartman voice] I...am...so...pissed...off...right...now ! [/cartman voice]
That was after 3 years of not a single problem with the column lock.
Can't wait to see how we're going to get my vette out of the garage and turned 90 degrees so I can go down the driveway and on to the flatbed. This should be fun. Oh, and it's now out of warranty and I of course get to pay for the tow to the dealership.
[cartman voice] I...am...so...pissed...off...right...now ! [/cartman voice]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Did you try to unlock it yourself? Do a search, there were some posts on how to get it unlocked yourself by yanking on the steering wheel. Time to get that CLB installed!! Good luck!
BTW...you should have the dealership cover the towing, since the item is under recall. Shouldn't matter if they did the recall or not. If it is a problem with what they did, they should still pay for the tow.
BTW...you should have the dealership cover the towing, since the item is under recall. Shouldn't matter if they did the recall or not. If it is a problem with what they did, they should still pay for the tow.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
That sux! I was under the impression that if the dealer fixed the Column Lock problem then it was fixed! I just bought this 02 last month and the previous owner told me he had it done a while back and has never had that problem since. Is this a fluke or is the dealer fix really questionable?
I'd definetely be putting up a stink about the tow and the charge. Since it is a TSB and they supposedly fixed it. That's a manufacturing problem and not an owner caused problem.
I'd definetely be putting up a stink about the tow and the charge. Since it is a TSB and they supposedly fixed it. That's a manufacturing problem and not an owner caused problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I agree... sometimes I hate this POS. Then I floor it and it's fun again. First the trans seal starts leaking (about two weeks total in the shop), then the clutch breaks and the car has to be flat bedded (3.5 weeks no car waiting on parts) then I get it back and the fuel injector wire rubs through and the car started running like **** and had to be flat bedded again b/c I didn't know what was wrong (another day in the shop). Now I have her back and hopeuflly I can enjoy it for a long time, thank god for an extended warranty.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee WI
Originally Posted by DONZ06
Be carefull, can't have CLB installed if you had the recall performed.
They wouldn't cover towing, but they did fix it under warranty even though I'm no longer under warranty. And yes, warranty should not have even been an issue since it was a freakin recall, but they're saying it's not because of what they did.
They replaced the column lock actuator.
Didn't know yanking on it would unlock it.
Total out of pocket for me: $125 and having to work from home for a day.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
I have yet to have the recall performed on my car. GM just keeps sending me the notices and as a matter of fact I just got another one in the mail today. NO recall and the car still runs great. My tech has agreed to leave my car alone as far as the recall goes. 
If it was me, I would do everything in my power to get the wheel unlocked myself. My tech told me about another trick to get it ulocked if the "yanking Method" does not work for you. The other method is: Get a 1/4" extension and locate the two holes in the plastic surround on the bottom side of the steering column. One hole will have a screw in it; the other hole will not. You want to insert the extension into the hole that DOES NOT have a screw in it. Then hit the extension with a hammer a couple times and then cycle the key again and see if the mechanism ulocks. It may take a few wacks with the hammer before it frees up. But, it's worth the effort.
If it was me, I would do everything in my power to get the wheel unlocked myself. My tech told me about another trick to get it ulocked if the "yanking Method" does not work for you. The other method is: Get a 1/4" extension and locate the two holes in the plastic surround on the bottom side of the steering column. One hole will have a screw in it; the other hole will not. You want to insert the extension into the hole that DOES NOT have a screw in it. Then hit the extension with a hammer a couple times and then cycle the key again and see if the mechanism ulocks. It may take a few wacks with the hammer before it frees up. But, it's worth the effort.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Originally Posted by DONZ06
Be carefull, can't have CLB installed if you had the recall performed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
I agree... sometimes I hate this POS. Then I floor it and it's fun again. First the trans seal starts leaking (about two weeks total in the shop), then the clutch breaks and the car has to be flat bedded (3.5 weeks no car waiting on parts) then I get it back and the fuel injector wire rubs through and the car started running like **** and had to be flat bedded again b/c I didn't know what was wrong (another day in the shop). Now I have her back and hopeuflly I can enjoy it for a long time, thank god for an extended warranty.
Glad your car is back up and running well. I need the extended warranty as I do not want any issues with mine when I get back from this deployemnt. Original post:
Sorry to hear of your issues. I had the recal done to but it looks like I need to get the by-pass mod done too. Good luck and sorry about your car
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Originally Posted by DONZ06
Be carefull, can't have CLB installed if you had the recall performed.
Please buy a $55 CL by-pass and end your worries.
Tom
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,106
Likes: 473
aerohawk: get the clb! i got mine from corvette of houston for around 60 bucks & don't even think about the column locking anymore. as for no longer having the column lock as a theft deterrent, a locked column sure as heck isn't going to stop a pro who really wants the car.
i installed the clb on my '04 z06, and also had it on my last c5. takes all of 20-25 minutes to install, and believe me, i'm no rocket scientist!
92647? isn't that huntington beach? i'm down in laguna, and could help you install it some weekend. great akita in your sig, by the way.
i installed the clb on my '04 z06, and also had it on my last c5. takes all of 20-25 minutes to install, and believe me, i'm no rocket scientist!
92647? isn't that huntington beach? i'm down in laguna, and could help you install it some weekend. great akita in your sig, by the way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
I think I have seen suggestions on this forum where members could disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and quickly reconnect and the steering would become unlocked?
Tino
Tino
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,454
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County CA
Originally Posted by hocheehoba
Buy a Ford, and you won't have these problems. It will always be broke down at the Ford Dealership and not in your garage.
O ya, sorry for the column troubles.