Greetings to all from Austin.

It finally happened to me. Sunday. I finished washing my car and was about to drive it back in the garage when I got the message to pull the key and wait 10 seconds. I did. Then the dreaded service column lock message came on. Luckily, I was in my driveway. Tow truck picked it up Monday and hauled it to the dealer. Since I did not have the CLB, I had been taking way to many chances. I once got the pull key message in the parking lot at the airport. Luckily, it did not lock up on me.

Got to admit, though, that car sure looked awsome, even while on the back of that tow truck. I was admiring it as I followed the tow truck to the dealer.

 

Yeah, I was lucky too. About 3 days after I bought the think, I got the column lock as well right out front in the parking lot of my apartment building. I'm quite lucky that I didn't get stranded as well.

Once you install the CLB, you won't have a problem.

 

No excuse for this.....you've been around long enuf to know better. Get the "fix" done and put it behind you. Good luck...

 

If it had to happen you couldn’t asked for a better spot. Is the dealer installing a plate of some sort to prevent this from happening again?

 

 

If it's an automatic, then the dealer can prevent the column from locking again. But if the car is a manual, then the dealer can only prevent the column from locking at speed. That's the way I understand the "recall" anyway. If he has a manual, he definitely needs to install the CLB.

 

i think i saw somewhere that GM is doing removal of CLB since there are too many problems, and it is documented under dealers' bulletin board....can anyone confirm?

thx....

happy motoring....

 

Thanks!! I have a 03 6sp and I need to take care of this soon.

 

At least you didn't buy the CLB and leave it in your glove box for 3 weeks and then have your column lock hereeerrees your sign

 

Did you do that, Frank?

 

no not me .......

 

 

Or find out who you want to call with a flatbed.

 

Actually the recall will remove the locking plate in the 6 speeds also (except Canadian cars).

 

Is that new? When I had my column lock issue, the recall would not prevent the column from locking again - only prevent it from locking at speeds.

 

Not that new, maybe a couple of months.


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

 

Yup, look at that...appears as if the new recall will prevent the steering column from locking up even in manual transmission cars. Woohoo! It's about time.

 

yea there was another 35 pages thread about 2 weeks ago that went over the latest recall

 

I called my GM dealer when I found out about this column lock deal. (Thanks, Roscoe). I asked about a recall and the service manager told me that my Vette (manual 6) was "fixed" per recall in 2004. Why wouldn't they have had this "new" recall that came out in February? Now I'm a little concerned about the service department. If I can't trust them, I think I'm in trouble. I just had the car in last month for a complete inspection to purchase GMPP major guard. Looks like they would have been clued in.

 

Strangly enough I just went to remove my car from storage and my info display was reading service colume lock. The car would not start cause the battery was dead but after reading this I guess im better off to just call a tow truck and have the car taken to a dealership. That then means that the steering wheel wont turn? Help me out here people