Another column lock question
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by napacruzerc5
What do you guys think?
Ya'll just don't get it on this issue and it's been discussed 'till your tongues fall out for the past several years on this Forum. The vast majority of the older members don't even bother responding to this ancient problem anymore.
Even still, there are still those who just refuse to believe that the CL will fail...until it happens to them...and then they come running to the Forum for advice. The same advice that's been posted for more than five years running.
GET THE F'N CLB AND BE DONE WITH THIS ISSUE.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City Ca
Originally Posted by IdriveC5
OK, I have had my C5 for about a month. I got the vehicle service history, and the following was listed:
10/13/1999 022846 # E7501 - LOCKING PARTS, RACK/SECTOR/LOCK BOLT/ACTUATOR ROD, STEERIN 4059 miles
10/13/1999 022846 # Z7903 - 3-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 4059 miles
10/12/1999 752130 # T2020 - TOWING 4059 miles
I assumed this is the repair. Am I correct?
Should I worry about it locking up, or not?
10/13/1999 022846 # E7501 - LOCKING PARTS, RACK/SECTOR/LOCK BOLT/ACTUATOR ROD, STEERIN 4059 miles
10/13/1999 022846 # Z7903 - 3-DAY COURTESY TRANSPORTATION 4059 miles
10/12/1999 752130 # T2020 - TOWING 4059 miles
I assumed this is the repair. Am I correct?
Should I worry about it locking up, or not?
Once again, the factory recall "fix" won't guarantee that your column will not lock up on you again. Unless you're a very lucky guy, it probably will lock up sometime in the future. Install the CLB, and you'll never have to worry about this issue ever again! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Thanks for the info. Just owning a Corvette proves that I am a very lucky guy. Now, how lucky am I?
Is my battery leaking?
Will my column lock up?
Is my battery leaking?
Will my column lock up?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,876
Likes: 0
From: Ghent
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by deercula
You're kidding yourself, and playing with FIRE. For $40, and half an hour of your time, you can forget about the column lock forever. Save yourself from that sick feeling of being stranded, and big bucks wasted. Don't delay install the CLB A.S.A.P.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by Shylor
Wait a minute you installed a CLB and yet the car still locked up? From what I understand as to how a CLB works, it is impossible that the column would lock up after a CLB is installed. I may be wrong but, I'm getting the feeling this story is 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 1
From: atlantic city new jersey
Originally Posted by CCMC5
Where can you get a CLB for $40.00?
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Spartanburg, SC
Shylor, what is your relationship to GM? You're always claiming people are wrong when they talk about problems with Corvettes. If there isn't a problem with the column lock like you claim there isn't, why do so many people on the forum recommend the CLB? Why would they even be made in the first place? Are you paid by GM to astroturf?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
I'm not saying the column lock doesn't exist. I'm saying it doesn't happen while the car is moving. Anyone can claim this happened while the car was moving but none have proved it. I'm not even against an aftermarket bypass but I would prefer to install the GM version of the bypass (harness K, with the blocking plate), if I ever have a column lock problem.
A lot of companies make aftermarket items for the Corvette, some are useful and some are not. The aftermarket CLB's were put out in the market place because GM was slow to respond.
Don't think I'm happy with everything GM does. Column lock issues should have come up in the C5's long testing phase. And maybe there were issues but it wasn't as common place as in the real world. Do I think GM should step up and once and for all redesign the Column Lock? You bet! But people tend to jump on the band wagon even without really having any problems, just to get a settlement. So in this area GM has to be very careful.
A lot of companies make aftermarket items for the Corvette, some are useful and some are not. The aftermarket CLB's were put out in the market place because GM was slow to respond.
Don't think I'm happy with everything GM does. Column lock issues should have come up in the C5's long testing phase. And maybe there were issues but it wasn't as common place as in the real world. Do I think GM should step up and once and for all redesign the Column Lock? You bet! But people tend to jump on the band wagon even without really having any problems, just to get a settlement. So in this area GM has to be very careful.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Shylor
I'm not saying the column lock doesn't exist. I'm saying it doesn't happen while the car is moving. Anyone can claim this happened while the car was moving but none have proved it. I'm not even against an aftermarket bypass but I would prefer to install the GM version of the bypass (harness K, with the blocking plate), if I ever have a column lock problem.
A lot of companies make aftermarket items for the Corvette, some are useful and some are not. The aftermarket CLB's were put out in the market place because GM was slow to respond.
Don't think I'm happy with everything GM does. Column lock issues should have come up in the C5's long testing phase. And maybe there were issues but it wasn't as common place as in the real world. Do I think GM should step up and once and for all redesign the Column Lock? You bet! But people tend to jump on the band wagon even without really having any problems, just to get a settlement. So in this area GM has to be very careful.
A lot of companies make aftermarket items for the Corvette, some are useful and some are not. The aftermarket CLB's were put out in the market place because GM was slow to respond.
Don't think I'm happy with everything GM does. Column lock issues should have come up in the C5's long testing phase. And maybe there were issues but it wasn't as common place as in the real world. Do I think GM should step up and once and for all redesign the Column Lock? You bet! But people tend to jump on the band wagon even without really having any problems, just to get a settlement. So in this area GM has to be very careful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by deercula
SHY, The reason for the recall, and the GM fix, are based on the FACT that the car can be moved with the column locked!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by Shylor
If this so called fact can be proven, as to the reason GM did the recall, I'd like to veiw the documents. As others have already stated, GM is not saying the lock can happen while the car is in motion, so how can this be fact?
The below quote is a copy/paste from the GM document ID# 1539148, recall #04006A, issued 7/26/04
Reason For This Recall
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1997-2004 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. When you remove the ignition key, the electronic column lock (ECL) system prevents turning of the steering wheel. When the vehicle is started, it unlocks the steering system. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving.
1. Your vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when you start your vehicle, the fuel supply will be shut off it you try to move your vehicle. If voltage at the powertrain control module (PCM) is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering is locked.
2. During quick cranks, the ECL lock pin may not withdraw fully and, in vehicles where there is abnormally low clearance to the lock plate, there may be contact between the pin and lock plate. This can cause a noise or ratcheting when the steering wheel is turned or, if there is insufficient clearance, the steering wheel cannot be turned.
If one of these conditions occurs, a crash could occur without warning.
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1997-2004 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. When you remove the ignition key, the electronic column lock (ECL) system prevents turning of the steering wheel. When the vehicle is started, it unlocks the steering system. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving.
1. Your vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when you start your vehicle, the fuel supply will be shut off it you try to move your vehicle. If voltage at the powertrain control module (PCM) is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering is locked.
2. During quick cranks, the ECL lock pin may not withdraw fully and, in vehicles where there is abnormally low clearance to the lock plate, there may be contact between the pin and lock plate. This can cause a noise or ratcheting when the steering wheel is turned or, if there is insufficient clearance, the steering wheel cannot be turned.
If one of these conditions occurs, a crash could occur without warning.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,302
Likes: 346
From: yardley, pa 19067
Originally Posted by IdriveC5
Have you ever felt like nobody could hear you speak?
Is your car an automatic???? Go and feel the steering wheel if it is. If it moves freely with the car off then your lock is disabled. If it's a 6spd the factory fix won't work and you need the bypass!!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 2
From: Havin' fun in Frederick, MD!!!
St. Jude Donor '05 '09
I really believe that most of the "failures" are due to connector impedance that develops from dirty or corroded connector pins. I suppose there's a chance that the load on the pin could contribute something, but I think it's really reaching.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Originally Posted by napacruzerc5
Couple of things that I do or not do which I think keeps me away from the dreaded column lock. I never use the steering wheel to help me get in or out of the vette. When I park it I don't turn the wheel until it "locks" after I take the key out. I've seen some drivers lock the steering then grasp the wheel to help leverage themselves out of their vettes. I bet in the long run that could bring on the dreaded column lock. What do you guys think?
As for using the wheel to leverage yourself out while it's locked, I'd think that would increase any clearance between the pin and plate which is good.
Ron ...
