Do all C5's need CLB?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 75
From: SW Missouri
Do all C5's need CLB?
I just bought my first C5 six speed in Sep. 05. I can here the motorized sound in the dash when I take the key out. Do I need to do the CLB or is it certain models or years? What about the dealer, is this covered on a recall or anything else? My 99 Corvette is out of warranty with 47,000m.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Yes, you need a CLB. Normally, if a CLB has been installed, you don't hear the whinning sound when the ignition key goes in/out and you can turn your steering wheel when the key is out of the ignition. Do not take the car to the dealer. Install the CLB yourself.... 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 275
Likes: 21
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by rc51racer
I just bought my first C5 six speed in Sep. 05. I can here the motorized sound in the dash when I take the key out. Do I need to do the CLB or is it certain models or years? What about the dealer, is this covered on a recall or anything else? My 99 Corvette is out of warranty with 47,000m.
Do a search on column lock problems after the factory 'fix' and then installing a CLB. Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Northern N.J. NJ
Install the CLB. Image the pain of seeing your vette being wenched onto a flatbed because your steering column lock failed to unlock. This can happen! There's a bunch of guys of this site that have told the sad story.
PS: I am about the further thing from a car mechanic. I did the install myself. It took me 3 hours since I REALLY took my time. Most of the time was just trying to figure out how to work in tight places under the dash. The actual install is easy. In other words, if the work area under the dash was 3 times it's current size, you could do the install in under a 1/2 hour.
PS: I am about the further thing from a car mechanic. I did the install myself. It took me 3 hours since I REALLY took my time. Most of the time was just trying to figure out how to work in tight places under the dash. The actual install is easy. In other words, if the work area under the dash was 3 times it's current size, you could do the install in under a 1/2 hour.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City Ca
The CLB was the first mod I did on my '99 coupe when I bought it new because I didn't want to run the risk of getting stranded far away from home. Being that you can hear the whining sound of the column lock motor when you turn the key, I would guess your Vette doesn't have the CLB. Do a search, and I think you will end up installing the CLB. 
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Make me Nervous
The original owner of my MN6 2000 Conv. showed me the sticker under the hood where the Dealer did the "Factory Fix" Some say this is OK others say not...On this post, it seems dealer fix may interfere with CLB on a MN6. You know, since about 1973 EVERY car has to have a column lock per the Gov. How can something this simple be such a problem on a High Line car? Oh Well, I just wish I knew with certainty what to do...Meanwhile...a great, fun,car.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
My '01 six speed had the dealer recall done twice and I was still getting the pull key 10 seconds and wiat problem along with once having the column lock....
Don't know what the dealer did or didn't do... But I got the CLB from Corvettes of Houston the next week and things have been perfect since then.
Don't know what the dealer did or didn't do... But I got the CLB from Corvettes of Houston the next week and things have been perfect since then.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by Stingrayrob
All 6spd C5's NEED the bypass...01 and up automatics have it disabled from the factory....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA from Boston MA
I bought and installed the CLB right after I bought the car and found this forum. For a non-mechanical guy like me, it took about 90-120 minutes start to finish. Best mod you'll do to that C5.!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 1
From: Lorain Ohio
Very eeeezzzzz to do for under $50.00. It takes about 1/3 hr to do, follow the instructions they provied. Order one and install it yourself and never worry about the problem again. You'll laught at how worried you were to do this yourself after you installed this simple little plug!
Got LAPS?
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 0
From: Downers Grove, IL >> Chicago Crew <<
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by EZEDDIE
Install the CLB. Image the pain of seeing your vette being wenched onto a flatbed because your steering column lock failed to unlock. This can happen! There's a bunch of guys of this site that have told the sad story.
The memory still pisses me off, that was on my '98 when the problem was generally denied by most people. The first mod I did to my '02 was a CLB.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 75
From: SW Missouri
Well it looks like I have to pay a mandatory $50 or so on a GM factory flaw. One would think GM would stand behind there CL failure. Do not get me wrong I think the Corvette is one of the best cars ever built for the money. I just can't help thinking in the back of my mind that it is still a Chevy. Does anyone have a link or brand name on the CLB product?
Got LAPS?
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 0
From: Downers Grove, IL >> Chicago Crew <<
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by rc51racer
Well it looks like I have to pay a mandatory $50 or so on a GM factory flaw. One would think GM would stand behind there CL failure. Do not get me wrong I think the Corvette is one of the best cars ever built for the money. I just can't help thinking in the back of my mind that it is still a Chevy. Does anyone have a link or brand name on the CLB product?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,616
Likes: 219
From: Ohio
Originally Posted by 28tudor
The original owner of my MN6 2000 Conv. showed me the sticker under the hood where the Dealer did the "Factory Fix" Some say this is OK others say not...On this post, it seems dealer fix may interfere with CLB on a MN6. You know, since about 1973 EVERY car has to have a column lock per the Gov. How can something this simple be such a problem on a High Line car? Oh Well, I just wish I knew with certainty what to do...Meanwhile...a great, fun,car.
