Terrible day in America!!! This weekend washed and waxed the Vette and was taking my wife to Virginia Beach for the weekend. Absolutely beautiful day, top down, driving my fantasy car with my fantasy woman sitting next to me. I64 E was a little congested but I made due. We stopped at a large rest stop to use the facilities and when we got back in the car I placed the key and the ignition and I get the "Remove Key and Wait 10 seconds" message. Horror came over my face because I knew this wasn't good. I removed the key and counted down to ten very slowly. Inserted the key, started the car and the next message was "steering column lock". OH Shoot!!!!!!! (not what I really said)

Called USAA for roadside assistance and a tow truck flatbedded me back into Patrick Chevy in Richmond, VA but of course they were closed. So I had to leave the car there using the night drop. Rented a car and drove back to metro DC. While the tow truck was getting me onto the flatbed, he had to block all of the traffic to do so and it turned to entertainment for everyone at the rest stop. Everyone was just standing around watching the triple black convertible being towed. Oh the humiliation.

I thought I had done the right thing. I received a recall letter about the steering column lock and I immediately top it to my local dealer. Supposedly they fixed it and I was out the door.

What recourse do I have with the first Chevy dealer? I had to rent a car for several days, and I may lose wages for taking off work to travel back to Richmond. I'm definitely between a rock and a hard spot because I fly to Thailand on Wednesday (business) for a month, so I gotta get this thing resolved very quickly.

Thanks for letting me vent.

VETSTYL

 

Sorry to hear of your situation. First as has been pointed out many times here on the CF, the factory recall fix doesn't really fix the problem. You're living proof. Second. Why after all these years are folks still playing Russian Roulette by not sending $50 and installing a column lock by-pass is beyond me.

Let the dealer un-lock your column but I'd order a CLB and install it as soon as I get the car back.

If your under warranty GM should pay for the tow if not your insurance will cover most or maybe all of it.

Good luck.

Tom

PS: Where in Thailand are you going? I was stationed there from 1974 to 1975 while in the USAF at Nakhon Phanom (up north about 12 miles from the Mekong)

 

Bangkok bound!!!! Really, really, really looking forward to it.

Didn't realize that the factory recall did not fix the problem.

Who sells the CLB? Is it difficult to install?

Retired Army Guy here.

 

I just want to thank you for saving me some time. I got the "pull key and wait....." BS and thought hey, it seems like I read on the forum that this is a prelude to the infamous column lock (which I actually see as a column unlock ) problem. You saved me a posting along with the obligatory "do a search you lazy bastich" scolding. CLB4ME, soon. Thanks again

 

Several different Forum vendors sell the CLB including LAPD and WCC. Also, I've seen a number of posts where members have ordered from Thunder Racing. The CLB is the only sure fire fix for the column lock problem.

 

.....Because the CLB doesn't always work either, and of that I'm living proof!

 

How many here have actually had their CLB fail? I think maybe a poll would be in order on that subject as I know alot of people that are feeling secure would be interested to know.

 

If the CLB was installed correctly. The solenoid (locking pin) is unplugged (no power). I do not see how this could fail.

 

 

Do you have an A4 or M6.? The recall is different for the two. If you have an A4 the CLB is not needed. The recall has a K-harness replacement which has been found to be faulty. In other words the initial recall used faulty parts and thus failed for some.

If you have a M6 buy a CLB.

 

I am the proud owner of a new CLB. Corvettes of Houston is express mailing one to me. Thunder Racing are out of them until next week. Lesson learned, obviously the hard way.

VETSTYL

 

A day after I installed the "cure-all" CLB, I started hearing a clicking noise as I turned the steering wheel, as well as feeling some hesitation as the column turned. The sound was coming from the steering column. Using the tried and true analytic trouble shooting methods, I first asked the question, "What was the most recent change?" Answer? I installed a CLB.

I removed the CLB, the clicking stopped, and so far, I've been OK for the last year and a half.....

 

Good luck I would not want to be without one.

 

...as would many people on this forum. IMHO, the only solution is to remove the lock plate entirely. Over the winter, I plan on seeing how difficult this would be. (I have a MN6)

 

Can we clarify (I'm sure, again) for a newbie, the designations M6, etc.
It looks like M and A refer to manual or automatic (tranny) but are the numbers for years, models (C5, etc.), or ?

TIA

 

I have an A4 and the locking plate has been removed and replaced, but I'm sure I've read that A-4 people have had the column lock failure and although the column doesn't lock the fuel cutoff does, when the warning pops up out of the blue. I am sure this is GMs way to make sure I never get a good nights sleep ever!

 

Sorry that you had a problem!

 

So what is the best thing to do with the A4 vette? Have the recall done or CLB?

 

Man, the steering column lock is definitely the bane of the existence of any C5 owner. However, get the CLB. And, good luck to you.

 

Lucky here, 04 auto. doesn't have the lock..........