Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

COLUMN LOCK!!!!!! Please help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 8, 2006 | 10:08 AM
  #1  
bryanZ06's Avatar
bryanZ06
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Default COLUMN LOCK!!!!!! Please help!

I go out to start the Z today. Clutch in, turn the key, nothing. Thinking I didn't have the clutch pushed in all the way I try it again. NOTHING. So I tried it a third time and noticed that I didn't hear the column lock retract. I called a friend a few days ago that works for a dealer to ask him about checking on the recall for me, but I haven't heard back from him. Now my Corvette is dead in my garage. What next? Can I fix this myself? Any help is appreciated.

BTW-I didn't get the pull key wait ten seconds thing either.
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 10:14 AM
  #2  
bryanZ06's Avatar
bryanZ06
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Default

I just went outside and tried it again. This time it worked!?! I'm headed to Maxie Price right now to see what they say.
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 10:16 AM
  #3  
HummelS's Avatar
HummelS
Race Director
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Default

fyi, the symptoms you describe are not column-lock related. CL failure will stall the car AFTER you've started it and try to move.
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 10:18 AM
  #4  
DeeGee's Avatar
DeeGee
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Is your battery on its last legs? Mine died completely at 8k with a similar effect although it never recovered.


May be worth a free check at Autozone before the Stealer hits you for an expensive diagnostic check.
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 10:24 AM
  #5  
Dave1998's Avatar
Dave1998
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,806
Likes: 70
From: Rochester MN
Default

Originally Posted by DeeGee
Is your battery on its last legs? Mine died completely at 8k with a similar effect although it never recovered.


May be worth a free check at Autozone before the Stealer hits you for an expensive diagnostic check.


Get the battery tested first !!!!!!
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 10:37 AM
  #6  
rws.1's Avatar
rws.1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,794
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Default


If you have an Autozone near you, drive there, they will do a complete charging system diagnosis for free....
I suspect the battery had died.
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 01:07 PM
  #7  
bryanZ06's Avatar
bryanZ06
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Default

Thanks for the help. My first thoughts were column lock since I never heard it retract when I first tried to start it. Maxie Price told me that a recall had been issued for my car, but it has been closed. I'll be going to Autozone soon and I will update. Again, thanks for the help.
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 01:15 PM
  #8  
OMG's Avatar
OMG
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,734
Likes: 0
From: Charleston/Lake Villa IL
Default

Not column lock.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 8, 2006 | 01:23 PM
  #9  
roscoe118's Avatar
roscoe118
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 10
From: Austin, Texas
Default

If it is not the battery, try cleaning the resistor contacts on your key

Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 01:28 PM
  #10  
HummelS's Avatar
HummelS
Race Director
Supporting Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Default

Originally Posted by roscoe118
If it is not the battery, try cleaning the resistor contacts on your key

Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 01:32 PM
  #11  
DeeGee's Avatar
DeeGee
Tech Contributor
20 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by roscoe118
If it is not the battery, try cleaning the resistor contacts on your key

Good call

That would be the cheapest fix if thats the problem
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 01:49 PM
  #12  
Bergs50thAE's Avatar
Bergs50thAE
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Montoursville PA
Default

For what it's worth - I've had my '04 zo6 for 5 months now - no problems so far.

I was advised by forum members and took their advice:
1. Battery tender
2. Slowly put key in iginiton and let computer set before starting
3. Column Lock Bypass

I've done a three and it works for me!
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 02:06 PM
  #13  
talon90's Avatar
talon90
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 166
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Default

As others have indicated. In my order of priority.

Check the battery and grounds then check the resistor (VATS) chip on the key.

Paul
Reply
Old May 8, 2006 | 02:18 PM
  #14  
bryanZ06's Avatar
bryanZ06
Thread Starter
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Default

I just got back from Autozone and the battery is good. What should I use to clean the contacts on the key? Would rubbing alcohol be ok?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To COLUMN LOCK!!!!!! Please help!





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:56 AM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE