Locking Steering Column
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: greenville al
Locking Steering Column
I have an 01 Z06. The steering column locked in at my mechanics while checking on the restoration of my C3. The owners manual said take key out for 10 seconds and try again. Well, that didn't work. The instrument panel said service steering column. What could cause that.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,781
Likes: 24,683
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Get the column unlocked (sometimes you can pull on the steering wheel hard from side to side and it will unlock). Once it is free, yes, go ahead and install the column lock bypass.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 16
Take it to the dealer. There is a new recall where the locking mechanism is removed. The steering column will never lock again. Make sure that the dealer is aware of the new instructions that require that the locking pin is removed. One way to find out if they did it right is that once they finish with it, your steering column should not lock when you remove the key. That is a sign that it was done according to the specifications of the new recall. Mine was worked on and two days later it locked up on me again. Had to tow it, at dealers’ expense. This time they did it right. They were not aware of the new specs on the new recall. After I had a good long discussion with the service manager, they discovered that in fact, there were now specs out. Anyway. My steering column does not lock when I remove the key, which is a sign that the locking pin has been removed.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,056
Likes: 264
From: Slower than a speeding bullet................ Fort Lauderdale, FL
Originally Posted by HenryIV
Thanks for the tip. Mine just locked up for the first time, stranding me at work tonight. What a PITA!
Now I know what to tell the dealer.
Now I know what to tell the dealer.
See what others have to say about this dealer "fix", then decide.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by jag71usa
Take it to the dealer. There is a new recall where the locking mechanism is removed. The steering column will never lock again. Make sure that the dealer is aware of the new instructions that require that the locking pin is removed. One way to find out if they did it right is that once they finish with it, your steering column should not lock when you remove the key. That is a sign that it was done according to the specifications of the new recall. Mine was worked on and two days later it locked up on me again. Had to tow it, at dealers’ expense. This time they did it right. They were not aware of the new specs on the new recall. After I had a good long discussion with the service manager, they discovered that in fact, there were now specs out. Anyway. My steering column does not lock when I remove the key, which is a sign that the locking pin has been removed.
Yes they will remove your locking plate but they will also program your computer to cut the fuel if it detects a problem (whether real or perceived). They have also had problems with the replacement K harnesses. Your best bet in my opinion is to yank on the steering wheel or pull the fuses to get it to unlock then install the CLB. If you do a search you will read the horror stories from people who have done the recall, yes even the latest one in Feb 2006.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by WWK888
IMHO...DO NOT HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED!!!!!
Yes they will remove your locking plate but they will also program your computer to cut the fuel if it detects a problem (whether real or perceived). They have also had problems with the replacement K harnesses. Your best bet in my opinion is to yank on the steering wheel or pull the fuses to get it to unlock then install the CLB. If you do a search you will read the horror stories from people who have done the recall, yes even the latest one in Feb 2006.
Yes they will remove your locking plate but they will also program your computer to cut the fuel if it detects a problem (whether real or perceived). They have also had problems with the replacement K harnesses. Your best bet in my opinion is to yank on the steering wheel or pull the fuses to get it to unlock then install the CLB. If you do a search you will read the horror stories from people who have done the recall, yes even the latest one in Feb 2006.
God!! Ain't that the truth. I had to 
at the post above that started with "take it to the dealer". 
Oh yeah...that's what I'd do...NOT!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by Cajun99
God!! Ain't that the truth. I had to at the post above that started with "take it to the dealer". Oh yeah...that's what I'd do...NOT!!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Get the column unlocked (sometimes you can pull on the steering wheel hard from side to side and it will unlock). Once it is free, yes, go ahead and install the column lock bypass.
Turn the key off, jerk the wheel hard to the right a couple of times, then try and start it. If it unlocks get the CLB ASAP.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,549
Likes: 1,540
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by WWK888
IMHO...DO NOT HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED!!!!!
Yes they will remove your locking plate but they will also program your computer to cut the fuel if it detects a problem (whether real or perceived).
Yes they will remove your locking plate but they will also program your computer to cut the fuel if it detects a problem (whether real or perceived).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by RichieRichZ06
Damn, the new recall has been out for a friggin year and you guys still think there is a reprogram involved. Half the problem with the bad perceptions of this recall are from misleading statements like this one. THERE IS NOTHING TO DO WITH REPROGRAMMING THE PCM AT ALL FOR THE NEW RECALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I still stand by my first statement....avoid the recalls and dealers.
Last edited by WWK888; Jun 30, 2006 at 01:56 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14,549
Likes: 1,540
From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by WWK888
For one thing the new recall came out in Feb 2006....uhhhh not a year ago. Also how many times have we read on this forum that someone took their car in for the recall and the dealer did the previous recall (2004) by mistake. Once they do that you are screwed as the new recall will not undo the fuel cut off feature. Then you throw in the fact they had defective k harnesses. Some dealers had to be told by the car owner there was a new recall out. Even those that had only the second recall done are still getting "pull key and wait ten seconds" messages. BTW, aren't you a manager at a dealer...and you thought the new recall came out a year ago????
I still stand by my first statement....avoid the recalls and dealers.
I still stand by my first statement....avoid the recalls and dealers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by RichieRichZ06
I had info from GM way before you got the letter in the mail. It has been in the works for almost a year would have been a better statement on my part. Sorry for that, but regardless, there is no flashing required for 04006C. Some dealers did not know about it because they do not stay up on GM's hot sheet for problems or their GM messenger. We had parts in stock and ready by the first of the year and have done a ton of these without flashing.
I just can't believe how many posts I have read where people go in for what they think is a simple recall and end up getting screwed. I read one person's post saying the dealer told him he had to do the previous recall first before attempting the new one. Well we know now that he got screwed with the fuel cut off program. Maybe you can answer this for me, why can't GM undo the fuel cut off program that is messing up so many people's cars? I am not asking that in a sarcastic manner so don't take it the wrong way, I just want to know if it is possible.
Thanks
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
RichieRichZ06
I would think you would be able to tell us what will fix our cars. Again, my 98 auto had NEVER had a problem until I answered the recall. Then the long road of 7 tow ins started. Lock has been removed, K harness put in, relay added, removed and last week added back.........
36 miles after answering the first recall in Nov 2004, my car would not crank because of the fuel kill. That means the fuel kill went in on the first visit. It's obviously STILL in there because everytime I get the "pull key" it shuts off in drive. The dealer is the only place that has ever worked on my car. I have NO CLB. My dealer says they don't have the old program to rewrite over the one that "shuts the fuel off" that was added so WHAT IS THE CURE? I mean this question in the most sincere way. I picked my car up (again) last week and I put it in the garage and it's still there. When I go to leave the house my wife and I look at it and ...............no, lets just drive it some other time. It's a shame.
I would think you would be able to tell us what will fix our cars. Again, my 98 auto had NEVER had a problem until I answered the recall. Then the long road of 7 tow ins started. Lock has been removed, K harness put in, relay added, removed and last week added back.........
36 miles after answering the first recall in Nov 2004, my car would not crank because of the fuel kill. That means the fuel kill went in on the first visit. It's obviously STILL in there because everytime I get the "pull key" it shuts off in drive. The dealer is the only place that has ever worked on my car. I have NO CLB. My dealer says they don't have the old program to rewrite over the one that "shuts the fuel off" that was added so WHAT IS THE CURE? I mean this question in the most sincere way. I picked my car up (again) last week and I put it in the garage and it's still there. When I go to leave the house my wife and I look at it and ...............no, lets just drive it some other time. It's a shame.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
WWK888
DON'T DO IT! I'm 2 years into it and I really believe they don't have a clue. IF you take it back, the fuel pump will shut off everytime you get either code and you will walk home. I think the safest thing to do (and what I wish I had done) is remove the locking plate so it can't lock up and add the CLB. Unless somebody has a better idea.
DON'T DO IT! I'm 2 years into it and I really believe they don't have a clue. IF you take it back, the fuel pump will shut off everytime you get either code and you will walk home. I think the safest thing to do (and what I wish I had done) is remove the locking plate so it can't lock up and add the CLB. Unless somebody has a better idea.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by attyman1968
I have an 01 Z06. The steering column locked in at my mechanics while checking on the restoration of my C3. The owners manual said take key out for 10 seconds and try again. Well, that didn't work. The instrument panel said service steering column. What could cause that.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1015483
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
And yes I think there was a reprogram involved because thats what I was told. Is that not true? Mine ran 36 miles after the recall and before then I had drove it 5 years with no problems. And it's been a nightmare ever since. Simply stating the facts. I have answered every recall and only been worked on at the dealership so what else should I do? I have followed GM's instruction. Is 7 times considered enough to get a problem straight? Why is this still happening?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by jdaniel2509
WWK888
DON'T DO IT! I'm 2 years into it and I really believe they don't have a clue. IF you take it back, the fuel pump will shut off everytime you get either code and you will walk home. I think the safest thing to do (and what I wish I had done) is remove the locking plate so it can't lock up and add the CLB. Unless somebody has a better idea.
DON'T DO IT! I'm 2 years into it and I really believe they don't have a clue. IF you take it back, the fuel pump will shut off everytime you get either code and you will walk home. I think the safest thing to do (and what I wish I had done) is remove the locking plate so it can't lock up and add the CLB. Unless somebody has a better idea.