Dreaded Steering Column Lock
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Madison Heights Virginia
Dreaded Steering Column Lock
Well it finally happened, the column locked up today as I about to shuffle some vehicles in the driveway. Tried to shake the steering wheel with the key on, nada. I guess it gets towed to the local dealer tomorrow. My question to all of you informed C5 owners is this, is there a website out there to tell me what recall work has been done to my car? I found a recall notice in the glove box. I dont think the previuos owner had any dealer work done on the car.
1. What can I expect from the dealer hwen getting this fixed?
2. How do I tell if the work has been done?
3. How long will I be without my BABY?
Team Owner
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Originally Posted by graybeardtwt
Well it finally happened, the column locked up today as I about to shuffle some vehicles in the driveway. Tried to shake the steering wheel with the key on, nada. I guess it gets towed to the local dealer tomorrow. My question to all of you informed C5 owners is this, is there a website out there to tell me what recall work has been done to my car? I found a recall notice in the glove box. I dont think the previuos owner had any dealer work done on the car.
1. What can I expect from the dealer hwen getting this fixed?
2. How do I tell if the work has been done?
3. How long will I be without my BABY?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=105&TopicID=1
I have done this and it worked for me. You can get the recall information from the GM VIS (any dealer can get access to it) using your VIN number. PM forum member Sponge Vette. He has access to the VIS and should be able to get you the information.
If you can get this column lock free you should go right to here:
http://www.corvettesofhouston.com/index.php?cPath=29_42
and order the Column lock bypass. If you can do this you can avoid the trip to the dealer all together and get yourself some peace of mind in the meantime.
Paul
Last edited by talon90; Jul 6, 2006 at 07:47 PM.
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Your dealer can tell you if any recall work has been done. Once they do their thing, get yourself a column lock bypass and be done worrying about this again.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
I would try to free up the column a couple of more times before you have it sent to the dealer. You're going to save yourself some "potential" hassle in taking it to the dealer and having them do the recall. My understanding is that while this new (2nd) GM recall is more comprehensive, there are some issues concerning a relay they install. Do a search and you'll get the definitive info.
If you get the column free, immediatedly order the CLB from one of the Forum vendors. I used Thunder Racing. I received it timely and it took me about 15 minutes to install. No further worries.
Good luck either way.......
If you get the column free, immediatedly order the CLB from one of the Forum vendors. I used Thunder Racing. I received it timely and it took me about 15 minutes to install. No further worries.
Good luck either way.......
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
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From: Whippany NJ
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Originally Posted by c5BlackBeauty
I would try to free up the column a couple of more times before you have it sent to the dealer. You're going to save yourself some "potential" hassle in taking it to the dealer and having them do the recall. My understanding is that while this new (2nd) GM recall is more comprehensive, there are some issues concerning a relay they install. Do a search and you'll get the definitive info.
If you get the column free, immediatedly order the CLB from one of the Forum vendors. I used Thunder Racing. I received it timely and it took me about 15 minutes to install. No further worries.
Good luck either way.......
If you get the column free, immediatedly order the CLB from one of the Forum vendors. I used Thunder Racing. I received it timely and it took me about 15 minutes to install. No further worries.
Good luck either way.......
It will be freed after a few several hard yanks on the steering wheel. be patient. Do not go to dealer. free up the wheel then order a CLB from thunderracing. 39.00 (chump change for everlasting CL freedom) dont drive it until the clb is installed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
Install the Column Lock Block. It remains the best way to avoid this nasty problem. As you may have read on this forum, GM has initiated various 'recalls' over the years -- most have provided dubious results.
The aftermarket CLB seems like the most sure-fire way to go!
Good luck and best wishes!
The aftermarket CLB seems like the most sure-fire way to go!
Good luck and best wishes!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Madison Heights Virginia
Got The Clb Today
I got the CLB today. After reading the instructions that came with it I'm confused about one thing. Step 8 has you to connect the lighter plug connector,turn the key on nad listen for the steering lock to disengage. Does this mean that I wont have to get the column lock loose 1st or will this step disengage it for me? I would like not having to shake the steering wheel if not needed.
Opinions please!
Opinions please!
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8
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column lock blues
the cig lighter plug is used to free the lock actuator, you only use it one time and once the actuator is free your wheel will not lock again once the CLB is in place. you may have to pull fuse #25 and #23 for a few min's to reset the bcm. if you are still getting the pull key and service column lock msg then you may have deeper probs. if this happens the next step is to check the relay above the fuse block. there are 3 relays above the fuse block, you will have to dig for them, the one you need will be the 3rd one, (closest to the pass. door) you can remove the first relay (this is the a/c) and put it into the 3rd slot and see if it works then. (the relays are exactly the same) i found this out the hard way! do not take your car to the dealer to have the recall implemented, your fuel will shut off when you have a column lock and you will really be mad then! hope this works for you, if not, let me know, there are a couple more steps you can take but most of the time this prob is due to a low battery, a confusion between the bcm and the actuator, or the relay can get wet and short out. (the a/c drain hose gets backed up and dumps water on top of it).
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Madison Heights Virginia
Hooray!!!!!!! Clb Installed
I finally got the column to unlock today, GREAT! I jerked the wheel hard three times , turned the key and it unlocked. Dont have to take car to dealer now.I installed the CLB just as the instructions said, no error messages on the DIC. Thanks to all for your input on this thread and the others in the C5 forum.
Now I can get back to the important stuff, DRIVING THE VETTE, aftermarket parts, a ZAINO weekend and hanging around C5 forum.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by graybeardtwt
I finally got the column to unlock today, GREAT! I jerked the wheel hard three times , turned the key and it unlocked. Dont have to take car to dealer now.I installed the CLB just as the instructions said, no error messages on the DIC. Thanks to all for your input on this thread and the others in the C5 forum.
Now I can get back to the important stuff, DRIVING THE VETTE, aftermarket parts, a ZAINO weekend and hanging around C5 forum.
-getting stranded due to fuel shut off
- a few days without the vette
-dealer mishap like a customer bumping your car by mistake and causing body work to be done
-last but not least.....bringing the car back over and over because they cannot fix the CL issue.
But the #1 result is that you will never have the Column lock up on you!!!
Last edited by Ikester; Jul 11, 2006 at 11:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by graybeardtwt
I finally got the column to unlock today, GREAT! I jerked the wheel hard three times , turned the key and it unlocked. Dont have to take car to dealer now.I installed the CLB just as the instructions said, no error messages on the DIC. Thanks to all for your input on this thread and the others in the C5 forum.
Now I can get back to the important stuff, DRIVING THE VETTE, aftermarket parts, a ZAINO weekend and hanging around C5 forum.
