4 Days And Counting.............
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 626
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From: Fresno CA
4 Days And Counting.............
I took my 97 in to have the column lock bypass recall done. It acted up this past week so I thought I'd take the opportunity to have it repaired. I dropped it off at the local dealership monday, I don't know why but I'm thinking about a day to have it repaired.
Day one passes, "we don't have the parts, they are on order for tomorrow" Day two passes, "the truck is running 4 hours late, tomorrow well have it" . Day three passes," we're waiting on a dash part" Day four passes, " we are trying to locate a steering wheel, maybe another 2 days" 
WOW ,Im glad this isn't my daily driver. Apparently not all C5 steering wheels are alike. Mine doesn't pass their inspection and there are none available to fit my 97. My dealer is attempting to locate a steering wheel at another dealership. I thought this was an easy fix, I'm curious just what all they have replaced? I had also scheduled an oil change. But I cancelled that thinking I'll end up with a new engine at the rate the're going.
Day one passes, "we don't have the parts, they are on order for tomorrow" Day two passes, "the truck is running 4 hours late, tomorrow well have it" . Day three passes," we're waiting on a dash part" Day four passes, " we are trying to locate a steering wheel, maybe another 2 days" WOW ,Im glad this isn't my daily driver. Apparently not all C5 steering wheels are alike. Mine doesn't pass their inspection and there are none available to fit my 97. My dealer is attempting to locate a steering wheel at another dealership. I thought this was an easy fix, I'm curious just what all they have replaced? I had also scheduled an oil change. But I cancelled that thinking I'll end up with a new engine at the rate the're going.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Is it too late to pull it out?
The dealer fix is hopeless. You hear so many members with problems even after the latest, latest fix
If its not too late invest $50 in a Column Lock Bypass Kit and do it yourself. The CLB works.
The dealer fix is hopeless. You hear so many members with problems even after the latest, latest fix
If its not too late invest $50 in a Column Lock Bypass Kit and do it yourself. The CLB works.
Last edited by DeeGee; Apr 14, 2007 at 04:23 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Rochester MN
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steering wheel - what did they mess up? I have never heard of having to repace a steering wheel while doing that recall. Have you got a real low Vin number (the last 5 digits are all that counts)?.
I'd press for a c6 loaner if they are going to keep it for the weekend.
I'd press for a c6 loaner if they are going to keep it for the weekend.
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Safety Car
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From: Rochester MN
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
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When they do finally fix their mostakes, I would have a heart to heart with the service manager - if you run into any issues with the steering wheel or the security system in the next few months, you'll expect tham to stand behind what they did. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
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From: Visalia CA
Run Like Hell!
Tell them to stop everything, give you your car back, and then haul *** from that place. They were trying to screw you! I guess your post pretty much answers my PM question about you knowing of any good places in the Fresno area to work on Vettes! Do a search here on CF. Tons of info on column lock. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Fresno CA
Well...... I shouldn't be out anything but time. If this was my dime I'd not have taken it to the dealer. But that is the way recalls work. I do have a TRUSTED shop that does dependable repair. My vette has over a 160,000 mile on it and maybe some things are just plain worn out. I bet GM will be out well over a $1000 "fixing" this issue.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: gilford nh
i still cant figure out why people are still going into dealers ahd having this work done. its like if you walked home every day on the same street an some bully hanging out there kicks the sh!!! out of you every day, you would obviously find a new route home CLB.
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No way they should have had to replace the steering wheel and a dash part unless they messed something up. I agree with DeeGee - get the CLB and be done with it. And make sure they return the car to you in proper condition.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Palm Bay FL
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O.K. I hate to say it, but you have been a member of this forum long enough to know better. The GM fix does not fix the problem. In fact it is more likely to leave you stranded. The new fix cuts the fuel off if it thinks the column lock has a problem. No way to drive the car then.
Since they are looking for a new steering wheel = they screwed up yours.
The CLB is the way to go. It would have taken you less then 30 min for you to install. Best $50 ever spent.
Now you need to see if you can get your Vette back before they screw anything else up.
What was the failure you were getting???
"Pull key and wait 10 sec"??? Also could be a dirty key resistor.
OR
"Service column lock" ???
I wish you luck in getting this resolved.
The GM fix does not fix the problem. In fact it is more likely to leave you stranded. The new fix cuts the fuel off if it thinks the column lock has a problem. No way to drive the car then.Since they are looking for a new steering wheel = they screwed up yours.
The CLB is the way to go. It would have taken you less then 30 min for you to install. Best $50 ever spent.
Now you need to see if you can get your Vette back before they screw anything else up.
What was the failure you were getting???
"Pull key and wait 10 sec"??? Also could be a dirty key resistor.
OR
"Service column lock" ???
I wish you luck in getting this resolved.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 626
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From: Fresno CA
I seem to be getting flamed for taking my 97 A4 in for column lock repair. I'm surprised how much misinformation is on here. I took the time to read the the column lock post in the tech section and I still think I chose correctly. There are different fixes for a mn6 and a A4, if I had a mn6 I think I would use the fix most people seem so in love with here. But the fix for the 97 A4 completely removes the lock on the column, so no chance of it activating.Please note the quote below.
And I'm still annoyed with having to wait so long for the dealer to scrape up all the parts to finish this recall.
Q I have an A4 car; what should I do if I get a recall notice from GM?
A This is a personal decision. My advice is to have the recall implemented. They will service your car per the above recall discussion. After the recall is implemented on A4's, you should be able to turn your steering wheel with the key removed. The only anti-theft mechanism now will be your A4 transmission will remain locked until the key is ON.
And I'm still annoyed with having to wait so long for the dealer to scrape up all the parts to finish this recall.
Q I have an A4 car; what should I do if I get a recall notice from GM?
A This is a personal decision. My advice is to have the recall implemented. They will service your car per the above recall discussion. After the recall is implemented on A4's, you should be able to turn your steering wheel with the key removed. The only anti-theft mechanism now will be your A4 transmission will remain locked until the key is ON.
