Hi all

Newbie to the C5 family.
I have read several threads regarding the sterring column, but I just want to make sure.
Ignition in the off position, key not in, and I can move the column up and down. Those this mean that the problem was corrected, or the CLB bypass was installed ?
2001 C5, still learning the basics....


Ray

 

column lock has to do with turning the wheel, not the tilt feature.

Is your car an auto or manual transmission?

With the car off and key out, can you turn the wheel?

 

What year C5 do you have?

Good to fill out your profile so members can answer your questions

 

The CLB has nothing to do with moving the column up and down but has everything to do with turning the steering wheel from left to right.
Grip the wheel with the key out and try to turn it back and forth. If it will turn back and forth then you already have a CLB, your car (if a later model C5 equipped with automatic transmission) never came with the locking column feature, or a previous owner has already had the CL recall done on the car.

Remember, the CLB device is only needed on late model C5 A4s and all MN6s because about 2001, I'm not sure of the year, GM realized they could delete it from the A4s without government permission. It was only this year that they were granted permission by the government to disable the CL on the MN6 cars because this removal leaves those cars without a locking column or locking gear shifter which is in violation of the 1968 model year law requiring all cars sold in USA to have one or both of those anti-theft devices.

I and many others here on the forum complained repeatedly to the NTSB about the unsafe condition of driving a C-5 without the CL being permanently disabled. Finally permission was granted for GM to do this.
My '02 is an MN6 but I haven't taken it in for the column locking plate removal which GM is now doing as a recall for free. I never had the earlier recall done where they just reflashed the computer to shut down the fuel pump if your column locked up. That recall was useless and only created more problems for C5 owners. If you take your car in for the current recall do not let them reflash your computer. I think the current recall is very worthwhile but I want to wait a few more moths until they have had plenty of practice on other peoples cars before I let them fool with mine.

Good luck with your car and welcome to the forum. This is by far the best forum I have seen and used.

 

I'm not the brightest bulb in the string - but unless I totally misunderstood the latest recall - they will not perform the latest recall unless the previous campaigns have been performed.

1997 - 2004: Recall: Special Policy Adjustment Electronic Column Lock System
Bulletin #: 04006C

Date: February 6, 2006

Subject: Electronic Column Lock

Model(s):

1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL
TRANSMISSION

1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION

2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT ONLY

To: All Chevrolet Dealers

Attention: Service Manager, Parts Manager
and Warranty Administrator

PRODUCT FIELD ACTION ANNOUNCEMENT

General Motors is announcing Special Policy Adjustment 05081 today. The total number of vehicles involved is approximately 72,000. Please see the attached bulletin for details.

This repair should only be performed after verifying that Product Safety Recall 04006 has been completed (check the vehicle's claim history for labor codes V1144, V1145 or V1153). If the recall has not been completed, perform the service procedure described in bulletin 04006C and submit a claim using the appropriate recall labor code.
Mailing Information
Customer notification letter mailing will begin on February 15, 2006.

GM Vehicle Inquiry System (GMVIS)
GMVIS information is not loaded for Special Policy Adjustments.

Service Information System (SI)
Bulletin 05081 will be available in SI on February 9, 2006.

Campaign Initiation Detail Report (CIDR)
The CIDR is not available for Special Policy Adjustments.

Here is the actual recall document........
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...t.php?attId=18

 

Thank You all for the great information.

The car is a 2001
6 Speed
Unit #22825

I will try the suggestions.
Thanks again

 

That is not correct, especiallyfor MN6's. The latest recall completely disables the CL similar to previous recalls on the A4s. You DO NOT need the previous cosmetic recalls implemented since they are independent of this one.

 

I called GM last month for the clarification on this issue. The latest recall for the column lock problem is the February 8, 2006, #04006C campaign. This campaign removes the steering wheel locking plate and installs a "K" harness. (I don't like the "K" harness but that's in another post) This campaign (#04006C) is ONLY for cars not previously serviced under related column lock issue recalls. If, however, your car was serviced under ANY other previous CL related recalls including #04006C AND your car has a column lock problem, it will be serviced again by GM under the Special Policy Adjustment #05081. YOU have to tell the dealer and request the recall fix under that policy so the dealer can get paid again for trying for the umtheen time to fix this ongoing headache. Good night.

Randy

 

You got it basically right. The newest tech bulletin is not a recall in the classic sense. But, all you have to do is go to your dealer, complain that you got a "pull key and wait" message (regardless of whether its true or not), and they will remove the hardware in the steering column and install an electonic bypass which is similar to the after market CLBs that have been around for some time. It will cost you nothing. I have had this done. It works. And it is reliable.

There has been about 2 million posts on this subject and most of the people who post do not have all the facts. If you do not have the after market CLB installed, let GM do it for free.

 

Hello RayCE,

Congrats on your car. Will your steering wheel turn back and forth with the key removed?

As stated in my earlier post I haven't yet had the recall done and when I get ready to have it done I will again refuse to let them touch my car if they say they are going to mess with reflashing the computer.

 

I beg to differ, the latest notice I received (Feb 2006) clearly states "SAFETY RECALL". I believe those of us that have not had any of the previous recalls done got the "Safety Recall".

 

You could be right and that may explain why different letters went out to different owners. I had all earlier mods done and my letter didn't quite say "recall".

But the point I'm trying to make is that regardless of which letter you got (or no letter if you are a new owner), GM has a fix for this and you can get it done by complaining to a dealer. Costs you nothing, you don't have to do the work, and there is no danger that later on somone would blame your aftermarket CLB for some other problem that they don't want to cover under warranty or extended warranty.

 

To be honest, I have heard of more problems with GM's recalls then I have with the CLB. We all know the first recall only cut the fuel for the 6 speeds. The Feb 2006 recall does disable the locking plate but they used defective K harnesses. Then you take a chance with the usual dealership incompetence....thanks but no thanks. The CLB does have some problems with 97 and 98's and if my car was that old I would consider the recall. I have had the CLB installed since my Z06 was one week old with no problems whatsoever. Twenty minutes of my time and $50 is way better then chancing the recall in my opinion...to each their own.