I have a 97' C5 with a new computer and all the updates available from Chevrolet, but it still does the "pull key" crap all the time. How can I fix this??

 

There are quite literally thousands of post on here to search for this and it's brohter DIC message "Sevice Column Lock"

Could be something as easy as a resistor in your key not being recognized to something far more sinister.


Good Luck

 

Make sure that you have AAA's phone number handy, it's just a matter of time now.

 

I've had this happen to me only three times during the five years I have owned my 1998 COupe. The last time it happened, I pulled the key out, waited about twenty seconds, turned the wheel hard left and right, applying a fair amount of pressure in each direction since the wheel is locked. I put the key back in and started it and the steering wheel unlocked and has worked perfectly ever since. A lot of guys have done the Column Lock Bypass "CLB" mod and I will too if this happens again.

 

Why wait for it to happen again

 

 

The car starts and idles before I notice the message, half of the time, but if I don't shut it off and remove the key it'll stall. If I remove the key, I can re-start it immediately. Where do I begin to look for a fix? The column has never locked, as far as I know.

 

yup your screwed

 

Sure are a lot of "half empty" guys around here.

 

Try cleaning your key with alcohol.

 

Because we've seen it time and time again.

 

Tow truck rides are fun.

There, how's that.

 

Do a CLB and be done with this nightmare.

 

I have the CLB and my 99 did this on Saturday for the first time.

 

Has your car had the recall where they flashed the computer?

 

My 97 did the same thing on an infrequent basis. All I had to do was pull the key and restart the engine. Did it once while I was sitting at a traffic light after driving the car for 20 minutes. In 6 years of ownership I never had a column lock issue or antitheft system key problem.

Bill

 

While the pull key message often accompanies a pending column lock issue it is not necessarily related. The pull key message is part of the VATS (vehicle anti theft system). It can simply mean that your key is wearing and the small resistor chip on the stalk is no longer making good contact. It can also be symptomatic of a dirty ignition cylinder or resistor chip. Take an air can and blow out your ignition cylinder. Take some alcohol and rub your resistor pellet with a clean rag and alcohol. If you have a second key, try using that one for a while and see if the condition continues. Try having a new key cut and use that.

If any or all of these do not cure the issue then you may be getting ready to have a column lock event. Your '97 column lock is likely to be coming to the end of its useful life and may need to be replaced. If you haven't done so, you should then consider installing a column lock bypass kit from one of several forum vendors that sell them. Cheap insurance from getting stranded on the side of the road. Several forum members with early C5's have the pull key message come up after having the recall work done on the car.

The real DIC message that you need to worry about is:

SERVICE COLUMN LOCK: The system that
controls the locking and unlocking of the steering
column may not work properly. Have the vehicle
towed to a dealer for service.

 

Finally some good advice/tips. I'll try them.

 

I do not know, I will have the dealer check.

 

Not sure if they work the same, but when my key had a problem with my C4, it did not start or even try. I think if it were the key chip, it would never even start.