I see where GM has finally admited a potential safety issue in the column lock problem. It certainly took them long enough after all the complaints we've had here on the forum over the years.

They also have dealer instructions for a solution.

Sorry I don't have the link right now but for more information on it, you can go to and click on Forums at the top, then under Corvette Professionals you'll find Keeping Current and the whole article.

I'm just not sure how many people this will affect since so many of us have already had the work done or bought a column lock bypass. But at least the repair is now available at the dealers.

 

Sorry but welcome to this year. This recall happened a year and half to two years ago

 

It looks like GM has abandoned the "electronic column lock" with the following Special Policy Adjustment notice:

Subject: GMP06-029 - 05081 Special Policy Adjustment - Electronic Column Lock System

Supposedly, GM is sending notices to owners starting Feb 15. In the notice GM is directing dealers to remove at no cost to the owner the column lock plate on most '97-'04 Corvettes

Anyone know where we can get a copy of this, or more about it?

From a reliable source - - - -

 

Yeah, there's a recall. I'm taking my car soon. Better safe than sorry.

 

MODELS:

1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT
VEHICLES ONLY

So am I to understand then that my 2002 A4 does not suffer from this problem and I don't need to concern myself with it?

 

I fixed the problem myself. No way am I letting a dealer perform a half-azzed attempt at correcting this. There have been too many stories of the "recall" failing.

 

Ahh,

If this is the original recall, it's bull**** of you own a Manual transmission. I had the GM recall done on my car, and got a column lock last week. Just got my CLB module in the mail yesterday.

 

It's about time they did something. I let them do the original recall, but that didn't cure the problem, it just made the car somewhat safer to drive.

 

After reading it, it's a new recall to completely remove the locking plate.
jeff

 

http://www.c5forum.com/cgi-bin/ultim...68.html#000000

 

Sorry, but welcome to today.

DESCRIPTION:
PRODUCT SAFETY #04006C
DATED: FEBRUARY 8, 2006
IMPORTANT:

THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04006B, ISSUED NOVEMBER 2004. THE SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR U.S. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REVISED. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NEW INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY.

ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 04006B SHOULD BE DESTROYED.

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. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving:

1. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started, the fuel supply will be shut off if the driver tries to move the vehicle. If voltage at the powertrain control module 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.

 

They might be assuming you already had the other recall done, which I think on yours removed the plate.

Edited: Sorry US built Auto cars didnt have the ECL instslled for those years!

 

Automatics produced 2001-04 do not have the column lock.

 

 

Here is the complete bulletin.



MODELS:

1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT
VEHICLES ONLY


DESCRIPTION:
PRODUCT SAFETY #04006C
DATED: FEBRUARY 8, 2006
IMPORTANT:

THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04006B, ISSUED NOVEMBER 2004. THE SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR U.S. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REVISED. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NEW INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY.

ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 04006B SHOULD BE DESTROYED.

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. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving:

1. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started, the fuel supply will be shut off if the driver tries to move the vehicle. If voltage at the powertrain control module 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.


CORRECTION:
Dealers are to remove the column lock plate on U.S. and Canadian vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and U.S. vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. After the service correction, the steering column will no longer lock when the key is removed.

On Canadian and export vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, and export vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, Dealers are to 1) reprogram the PCM, and 2) verify there is adequate lock plate clearance and, if necessary, replace the lock plate. After the service correction, the steering column will continue to lock when the key is removed.

Refer to the Product Safety Bulletin #04006C for further information.


EFFECTIVE DATE:
Owner mailing is scheduled to begin February 15, 2006.


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO – Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO – Customer Special Order.

The Parts list follows:


Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle
89023816 Harness Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk Shorting (US manuals and all automatics except export vehicles) 1
88952428 Wire Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk (1998-2000 Canadian and export manuals & export automatics) 1 (If Req'd)
26056108 Nut, Strg Whl 1 (If Req'd)
26094767 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (Canadian manuals) 1 (If Req'd)
88964588 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (Export vehicles) 1 (If Req'd)
05694191 Ring, Strg Shf Lk Plt Ret 1 (If
__________________

 

GM admitted that they had a column lock problem a while back. I was going on info based in his post Also this latest recall replaces the recall that they did in 2004

 

I liked how it took GM 2 almost 2 years to admit they had an oil ring problem in their 2001 models. : Remember when they were telling everyone they were burning oil because they wre gettin on it too hard? Sadly, people actually believed them!

 

Here is a link to search the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin for any recalls, and yes, this is on there.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...callSearch.cfm

 

Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle
89023816 Harness Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk Shorting (US manuals and all automatics except export vehicles) 1

Does anybody understand why they would need to install a wire harness if they remove the lock plate? Seems to me that without the plate, who cares if the actuator motor still cycles. Sounds like they're removing the plate and installing an "OEM" column lock bypass at the same time.

 

So, I ordered my CLB today for nothing? Great.