So, I took the advice of my fellow forum members and purchased the CLB from Corvettes of Houston. I did the install on Wed, following these procedures to a T:

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24

Quick background: my vette was not previously having any symptoms related to the CL shortcomings well known to the C5. As preventative maintenance, I spent $50 and did the install in hopes of never ever having to deal with any of the CL DIC messages that I read about on here all the time.

No such luck! After I did the install, I fired up the car a couple times and made a few short trips around town - I felt 100% confident that I was "good to go". So, with that confidence, I take the Vette to Atlantic City yesterday, only to be left stranded with the "Pull Key and Wait 10 seconds" message 2 hours from home. Luckily, I was able to get a hold of a friend with Internet access and he was able to research on the forum how to reset the system by pulling #25 and #29 fuses. to him for saving the day.

So, now, everytime I start the car up I have to go through this procedure to get the car running again. It is now failing 100% of the time with the "Pull Key" message and I have to pull the fuses in order to drive the car. Very frustrating, especially since I was attempting to do preventative maintenance. So, my question for the experts is this:

What is my next step?
-uninstall CLB and return to CoH, returning car to previous state.
-perhaps the install I followed was outdated, did I miss a step or possibly overlook something? And further tweaks to try?

Help! I can't live with the current state of the car.

 

Thtas the first I've heard of anyone having a problem with the CLB.

I'd start with CoH and take their advice.

 

I think there are differences between model years. My CLB came with instructions that worked for me. I have an 02 vert and have had no issues. I would contact COH for help.

DBD

 

sorry to hear about your issues.. 1 st thing i would do is disconnect your battery and wait 5 mins then hook up your battery and you should be allset. i fix a vette the other nite with the same issues, his was a 98. if that doesn't work then your relay is faulty. call c.o.h and have them replace the one you have.. if they sent you the lighter plug then thier is no need to pull the fuses. but i bet the battery will fix your issues... pm me the results since i probley won't find this thread again...

 

The pull key message is different than the dreaded Service Column Lock that the CLB is supposed to prevent
The pull key message usually indicates that the computer couldn't read the resistance on the key, but I get it from time to time on my 97 (w/CLB) too, and others have posted similar, random occurances. When I get it I pull the key, then put it back in and off I go.
When it happens have you tried pulling the key out and waiting a few seconds bfore putting it back in? Do you have DTC codes being logged? If you have a second key have you tried it to see if it works better?

 

Thanks to all for their comments. I have been doing some extended research (searching being the key word) on here. I do see a trend of 97/98 C5 owner's who have had some compatibility issues with the aftermarket CLBs. I am going to touch base with CoH and hopefully they will be able to shed some more light on this.

Here is a very informative post that dates back to 2004. Can anyone comment if this information is still valid, now summer of 2006?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=881814

 

Yes, there were some problems with '97-'98 cars with the CLB.
Call COH and get their feedback on this problem.
I have an '04 and have no problems with my install (although I got mine from another vendor).

 

Any chance a GM recall was done prior to installing the CLB?

 

Update: I have contacted CoH, they were not aware of any known issues with the CLB product that they sell and a '98 M6. So, they are going to ship me out a new CLB on Monday to try. I will post my results.

They also stated that their CLB would not work if the car has had the "recall" done. Can someone please run my VIN for me and confirm that I have not?

 

I have a 99 hatchback that had one early recall done by the previous owner.

After reading all the posts, I too ordered a CLB from CoH and installed it.

I to have had two Pull Key incidents since the install where I had not had a single issue before the CLB install.
I didn't see any warnings in the CoH instructions about problems with vettes that had had a recall done. My CLB is still installed, but I have to say that I am NOT confident about it........
yet not sure what to do at this point

I don't recall any post about what those of us that have a C5 that have had recalls done are supposed to do at this point...........

 

I had my VIN ran and sure enough the recall was done for the CLB to my surprise. Right before I took ownership of the car.

Details:
Repair Order Date : 01/11/2005 Repair Order Number : 312290 Odometer Reading : 14117 miles
Serviced By : DAN VADEN CHEVROLET
PO BOX 14217
SAVANNAH, GA 31416-1217 Selling Source : 13 - CHEVROLET
Site Code : 08520
Business Associate Code : 112590
Cycle Date Cycle Nbr Case Type Labor Operation Part
01/18/2005 553 01 # V1145 - 04006 - PERFORM REPROGRAM AND FUNCTIONAL TEST - MANUALS ON N/A
Comments ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM RECALL# 04006 RECALL PERFORM REPROGRAM - FUNCTIONAL TEST, COMPLETED RECALL. V1145

So, should I remove CLB for good and live with the recall? Or, deactivate recall and let the CLB do it's job - like so many others have done? I think I just answered my own question but still gonna throw it out there b/c this whole ordeal has been so frustrating and I just want to be done with it in time for CARLISLE!

Go Skins.

 

In your zeal to be safe, you actually put yourself in jeopardy with the CLB install. It is been a known issue with 97-98-99 C5s that the aftermarket CLBs have had some success but mostly "pull key" DIC messages upon installation. Few have seen actual "service column lock" freezes. It is important for you to know that the recall you had was 4006B which checked the actuator pin against the column lock plate for clearance and re-flashed the BCM to make sure that the fuel cut off on pin actuation and 2 mph car movement. The re-flash did not install a fuel cut off as erroneously mentioned in some posts on this subject. That shut off is in everybody's BCM. Interestingly, my 2002Z had the same recall as yours did. I installed the same COH CLB as you did. No issues. So what's the difference? 97-98-99 C5. In reviewing my instruction sheet for the CLB from COH, no mention of it not working if any recall is done. Actually, that's in error since some cars are functioning well with their product installed and the recall done, like mine. Unless your column locks up and disables your steering, you will not be able to get the 4006C recall done to your car under Special Policy Adjustment 05081. If that happens to you, take it in and have the steering column locking plate removed. Then they will install a K-harness that you can throw away. If I were you, I'd disconnect the CLB and re-connect things pre-CLB. The more things are changed, the more things remain the same.

Randy

 

Randy, thanks so much for the detailed response. It helps a ton.

 

Stonecutter908 ..........thanks for posting your problem. I was just about to installed the CLB purchased form COH. I just purchased the car a 2001 back in June and the previous owner had the recall done where the dealer just programed the computer. I have the CLB, but Im just a pausing just a bit. Not sure if I should installed the CLB. Don't want to created other problems with the car. Car is fine and so far no problems with anything.

I know I know..........other members are gonna come down on me to install the CLB.

Let me know your end results...........Thanks again

Ray

 

Call COH. Let us know the resolution.

 

FINAL UPDATE: I am putting this issue to rest for now. I have uninstalled the CLB and returned car to it's previous state. All is back to normal. Now I will just wait and see if I have any issues with the following recall that I have had done ...

Repair Order Date : 01/11/2005 Repair Order Number : 312290 Odometer Reading : 14117 miles
Serviced By : DAN VADEN CHEVROLET
PO BOX 14217
SAVANNAH, GA 31416-1217 Selling Source : 13 - CHEVROLET
Site Code : 08520
Business Associate Code : 112590
Cycle Date Cycle Nbr Case Type Labor Operation Part
01/18/2005 553 01 # V1145 - 04006 - PERFORM REPROGRAM AND FUNCTIONAL TEST - MANUALS ON N/A
Comments ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM RECALL# 04006 RECALL PERFORM REPROGRAM - FUNCTIONAL TEST, COMPLETED RECALL. V1145

Anyone interested in buying a CLB from CoH, let me know. It is of little use to me. Thanks to everyone for their quick, accurate and extremely helpful comments. Gotta love this forum.

 

Hi Stonecutter,

I don't know if you are aware that there was another recall about 15 Feb 2006. On this recall they are removing the lockplate so you will never have to worry about your column locking again. I have an '02 and received my recall notice several months ago but I haven't taken it in to be done as I figured I'd wait a few months to see how this new recall pans out. I also thought it would be a good idea to let the Vette Techs practice on other people's Vettes before I let them fool with mine.
My '02 MN6 has never had the previous recall done where they only reflashed the computers on the MN6's. When I do take mine in for the latest recall I will only let them do the "remove locking plate" portion of the current recall. If they try to reflash the computer I will refuse the recall as I did the previous one. They just made me sign a paper refusing the previous recall so they couldn't be held liable.
I do not not want to have to worry about being stranded with the 2mph fuel cutback any more than I want to be stranded with a locked column.


Sanford

 

Will the DOT/NHTSA only allow this "locking plate removal" to happen to automatic transmission Corvettes? I've heard that all manual transmission cars must retain the locking mechanism for legality.

I just ordered a CLB from CoH today, so am pretty curious.

 

My 02 vert had the 04006 Reprogram done 11/04. This does not solve the mechanical locking problem, just reflashes computer. I put the COH CLB in 9/05 without incident & have had no problems. The latest recall does not apply to me unless I have a problem before 2008, and because I have the CLB, I will not have a problem. Can't speak for earlier models. There is plenty of info in the sticky above here or C5 tech.

DBD

 

Thats exactly what will happen if you do the 2nd recall. Stay away from the dealer, install the CLB.

Oh and i did mine even though recall 1 was done with the previous owner.