column lock again
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Va
column lock again
i just had my column lock up on saturday and got it unlock and drove it to the dealership to fix it for good, well they reflashed the memory I think and two days later it locked up again and I cant get it to unlock. I called AAA to come and it took 2 tow trucks cuz the first was too big to fit on my driveway and the second couldnt do it either and they sent another one with dollies but they were missing screws to lock the car so they couldnt tow it. Its still sitting in my garage and i called the dealership and they told me that they already did the recall and will not cover the cost of fixing it again and they said i have to put a new motor in it and will cost $450.I dont know if i should trust them.What do u all think?
Thanks Andrew
Thanks Andrew
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 70
From: Rochester MN
Andrew,
First thing to do is read the top post in C5 tech about this issue
Second, I would go out to your car, turn key on and violently shake the steering wheel back and forth and hopefully the pin will retract to avoid another tow.
Next I would order a column lock bypass from forum vendor Thunder Racing tonight and you will never have to face this issue again
Dave.
First thing to do is read the top post in C5 tech about this issue
Second, I would go out to your car, turn key on and violently shake the steering wheel back and forth and hopefully the pin will retract to avoid another tow.
Next I would order a column lock bypass from forum vendor Thunder Racing tonight and you will never have to face this issue again
Dave.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
The advice above is right on. Move the steering wheel back and forth violently. That should (maybe) free up the lock. If it's real hot where you are, that sometimes can make it lock up. Drop fifty bucks on a CLB from Thunder Racing or Corvettes of Houston (closed now for the hurricane) and put it in! It takes about 30 minutes. Very easy mod.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 15,540
Likes: 275
From: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast
St. Jude Donor '07, '11 thru '24
Official Sponsor of the 60 Day VacatioNN
10,000 poster in the "thread" Part II
Mine did the same thing last satuday night... 
But I got lucky and did the steering wheel shake and made it home. I left the key in the ignition (locked in garage) to make sure it dosent lockup again before I install a clb....... 
But I got lucky and did the steering wheel shake and made it home. I left the key in the ignition (locked in garage) to make sure it dosent lockup again before I install a clb.......
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
You'd think by this time GM would be embarrased by this lack of attention. No wonder they have their well deserved financial problems as they deserve it! I'll bet Dave Hill doesn't eat hot dogs for lunch either on his salary.........
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,276
Likes: 4,577
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Turn the key to the off position and remove it from the ignition. Next, firmly tug the steering wheel back and forth several times, it may help to give you better leverage if you stand outside the car while doing this. Then get insde and turn the key to the "on position" without starting the engine and the column lock should release. This has worked for many people including myself.
Once you release the pin and unlock the steering column, do not attempt to start the engine until after you install the bypass or it may lock up again.
Just follow the installation instructions that come with the CLB kit, it's really not difficult at all. The hardest part is to re-attach the lower dash panel. You can buy a CLB for less than $50 at Corvettes of Houston or Thunder Racing. Many other Forum vendors carry them as well.
Here is a link to the best instructions for installing a CLB:
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
Once you release the pin and unlock the steering column, do not attempt to start the engine until after you install the bypass or it may lock up again.
Just follow the installation instructions that come with the CLB kit, it's really not difficult at all. The hardest part is to re-attach the lower dash panel. You can buy a CLB for less than $50 at Corvettes of Houston or Thunder Racing. Many other Forum vendors carry them as well.
Here is a link to the best instructions for installing a CLB:
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,276
Likes: 4,577
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Here is some very good info I just came across:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...483&forum_id=1
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...483&forum_id=1
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Paramus NJ
I had a similar issue. First Colum Lock occurred and car was flat bedded to Chevy dealer who said he did the recall (Y2K M6). Was on vacation so I brought the car home and started it 11 times when it locked up again. Flat bed to local dealership who said the first guy did not do all of the recall and also needed to change the lock mechanism for $400. I call Chevy and they are paying in full... cost of both flatbeds, a rental car and the replacement of the lock mechanism. Installed CLB this past weekend!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1
From: right here right now
CI 5-6-8-9-11 Veteran
I had the recall done last year, and this summer the column locked up in my drive. The problem was the key would turn and I could hear the fuel pump power up but the wheel would not turn and no power to the starter. I had AAA flat bed it to the dealer and it turned out to be the ignition switch. The car is a 99 with 28,000 miles, it cost my about $300... GM would not pay for anything.
Now a CTS-V Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 1
From: Central Ohio
CI 5-6-7 & 9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by Dave1998
Andrew,
First thing to do is read the top post in C5 tech about this issue
Second, I would go out to your car, turn key on and violently shake the steering wheel back and forth and hopefully the pin will retract to avoid another tow.
Next I would order a column lock bypass from forum vendor Thunder Racing tonight and you will never have to face this issue again
Dave.
First thing to do is read the top post in C5 tech about this issue
Second, I would go out to your car, turn key on and violently shake the steering wheel back and forth and hopefully the pin will retract to avoid another tow.
Next I would order a column lock bypass from forum vendor Thunder Racing tonight and you will never have to face this issue again
Dave.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by Doughan
The only guaranteed fix is a column lock bypass. They're easy to install and will permanently disable the column lock.
column lock
column lock
Its the only REAL FIX
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Call GM and tell them your not impressed. And that you know of others on the forum that are also less impressed with GM's performance regarding the column lock. Why they can't redesign the CL and permanently correct the problem is beyond many of us here.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
I know I'm stating the obvious, but for those that still don't know, if you have an M6 tranny, THERE IS NO RECALL THAT WILL FIX THE COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM! 
The dealer in this case may not be the one to blame. If you car is out of warranty, the replacement of the CL will not be covered by them. The recall they did was simply a reflash of the BCM to change some of the logic in the computer to detect a faulty CL and cut fuel to the engine. There is no recall to fix the CL.
On A4's the recalls include completely disabling the CL forever, so that's the solution GM came up with. They know it will fail and have no fix. On M6's, they are not allowed to disable it (NTSB requirements on immobilizers).
The ONLY solution for M6s is the CLB, either aftermarket or the GM Harness K that they use in disabling the CL on the A4.
John
The dealer in this case may not be the one to blame. If you car is out of warranty, the replacement of the CL will not be covered by them. The recall they did was simply a reflash of the BCM to change some of the logic in the computer to detect a faulty CL and cut fuel to the engine. There is no recall to fix the CL.
On A4's the recalls include completely disabling the CL forever, so that's the solution GM came up with. They know it will fail and have no fix. On M6's, they are not allowed to disable it (NTSB requirements on immobilizers).
The ONLY solution for M6s is the CLB, either aftermarket or the GM Harness K that they use in disabling the CL on the A4.
John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
From: Canonsburg home of Yenko Chevy (gone but not forgotten) Western PA
what year
Hi
Anybody know what years or year the clounm lock problem is happening too. I have a 00 and had the dealer do the recall. Just read the last post and I have an M6.
thanks
Anybody know what years or year the clounm lock problem is happening too. I have a 00 and had the dealer do the recall. Just read the last post and I have an M6.
thanks
Last edited by avacorvette; Sep 22, 2005 at 12:53 PM.