My Column Lock Experience
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,500
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
My Column Lock Experience
So it's a fairly decent day, just got done talking to a friend when I go to start my car. Put in key, car turns on, yadda yadda yadda, I see the warning remove key and wait 10 seconds message. Remove key.... 10...9....8.... and so on; start car again. Service Column Lock, dangit. Of course the wheel won't turn 
. Well hitch a ride home and check the forum, okay tips to try, go back in 2nd vehicle and try.
Nope no cigar . Come home again and call towing company. Towing company comes out and we try to figure out how to fit a tow rig in the parking lot of Super Target (good store btw) and get my car from next to the island. Had to figure out how the car was going to turn since the wheels are locked at a small angle and will go in a wide wide circle. Decision time comes and we decide to back it up on to the truck. Start to back up........ and voila Column Lock message gone, no codes, wheel turns freely 
.
Wasted a good 2.5 hours on trying to figure out what the heck I was gonna do: tried turning the wheel into the stops, crept forward, crept backward (not as much as I did the second time granted), called a couple dealerships and tow companies. In the end all it took was going backwards a bit more.
Oh well, now I can
at myself and the easy solution to what seemed like a dire situation. Here I am worried about how badly I'll get raped at the dealership (checking the computer, going through the steering wheel, etc. etc.) and the tow truck expenses and all I had to do was back up a bit further. I turned the car off and back on several more times with no message and wheels are turning freely.
I will be purchasing a CLB because I don't believe my car is currently equipped with one.... just in case.
Now looking back at it I'm a little :o about my worrying and can't help but now.
. Well hitch a ride home and check the forum, okay tips to try, go back in 2nd vehicle and try. Nope no cigar
. Come home again and call towing company. Towing company comes out and we try to figure out how to fit a tow rig in the parking lot of Super Target (good store btw) and get my car from next to the island. Had to figure out how the car was going to turn since the wheels are locked at a small angle and will go in a wide wide circle. Decision time comes and we decide to back it up on to the truck. Start to back up........ and voila Column Lock message gone, no codes, wheel turns freely . Wasted a good 2.5 hours on trying to figure out what the heck I was gonna do: tried turning the wheel into the stops, crept forward, crept backward (not as much as I did the second time granted), called a couple dealerships and tow companies. In the end all it took was going backwards a bit more.
Oh well, now I can
at myself and the easy solution to what seemed like a dire situation. Here I am worried about how badly I'll get raped at the dealership (checking the computer, going through the steering wheel, etc. etc.) and the tow truck expenses and all I had to do was back up a bit further. I turned the car off and back on several more times with no message and wheels are turning freely.I will be purchasing a CLB because I don't believe my car is currently equipped with one.... just in case.
Now looking back at it I'm a little :o about my worrying and can't help but
now.
Last edited by jpm5321; May 2, 2007 at 05:57 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Hey, don't be embarrassed! GM is the one that should be embarrassed!!! My CLB should arrive this week, till then it's copious silent prayer.
I try never to touch the wheel after removing the key, I believe someone posted the lock pin has to be engaged for the "service column" thing can happen. If you move the wheel slightly the pin drops in (if it already isn't), then you're dead.
Must be you didn't get the recall done that shuts off fuel over 2 MPH? Or you backed up REAL slow?
I try never to touch the wheel after removing the key, I believe someone posted the lock pin has to be engaged for the "service column" thing can happen. If you move the wheel slightly the pin drops in (if it already isn't), then you're dead.
Must be you didn't get the recall done that shuts off fuel over 2 MPH? Or you backed up REAL slow?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 3
From: VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yup, backed up really slowly. We were seeing how the car would turn when going up the ramp and barely creeping at 1 mph.
It has had the recall performed and I thought I had seen something in the receipts about the CLB, but after a closer inspection into them while waiting it was just a print out of information on it.
CLB is ordered and will be installed as soon as it gets here.
It has had the recall performed and I thought I had seen something in the receipts about the CLB, but after a closer inspection into them while waiting it was just a print out of information on it
. CLB is ordered and will be installed as soon as it gets here.
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Michael S. Palmer
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From: Kali
St. Jude Donor '11
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
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From: South Alabama
Here I am worried about how badly I'll get raped at the dealership (checking the computer, going through the steering wheel, etc. etc.) and the tow truck expenses and all I had to do was back up a bit further. Now looking back at it I'm a little :o about my worrying and can't help but now.
now.
You won't be laughing for long. Do you REALLY think that all you had to do was back up some more? You are only fooling yourself and doing other new owners reading this a disservice by even suggesting that simply backing up is going to correct your problem. 
IT WILL NOT!!!
I try never to touch the wheel after removing the key, I believe someone posted the lock pin has to be engaged for the "service column" thing can happen. If you move the wheel slightly the pin drops in (if it already isn't), then you're dead.
There are no good fixes expect the bypass kit.
Everybody. buy the CLB and forget about this . And DON'T do the dealership recall.
. And DON'T do the dealership recall.
These are the ONLY two correct answers. 
If you're a new owner then PLEASE read the stickies at the top on this issue. Don't fall for any of this other
about "fixes". Do NOT let the dealership do the recall...simply get the CLB and forget about it. 
Last edited by Cajun99; May 2, 2007 at 08:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You won't be laughing for long. Do you REALLY think that all you had to do was back up some more? You are only fooling yourself and doing other new owners reading this a disservice by even suggesting that simply backing up is going to correct your problem. IT WILL NOT!!!I know it won't and that I got lucky this time. Notice at the BOTTOM of my post that I said I was getting the CLB. Notice in post number five where I said I'd already ordered it.
I got lucky, I know I got lucky. I'm not saying they shouldn't buy it or else I wouldn't of gone out and gotten it myself
I was not aware that the car did not have the CLB until this incident, I thought it did, obviously not which is why I bought it. I've read the other stories, that's why I was worrying like no other today when it happened. Please don't mis-interpret what I said.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
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From: South Alabama
I know it won't and that I got lucky this time. Notice at the BOTTOM of my post that I said I was getting the CLB. Notice in post number five where I said I'd already ordered it.
I got lucky, I know I got lucky. I'm not saying they shouldn't buy it or else I wouldn't of gone out and gotten it myself
I was not aware that the car did not have the CLB until this incident, I thought it did, obviously not which is why I bought it. I've read the other stories, that's why I was worrying like no other today when it happened. Please don't mis-interpret what I said.
I got lucky, I know I got lucky. I'm not saying they shouldn't buy it or else I wouldn't of gone out and gotten it myself
I was not aware that the car did not have the CLB until this incident, I thought it did, obviously not which is why I bought it. I've read the other stories, that's why I was worrying like no other today when it happened. Please don't mis-interpret what I said.
Installing your CLB won't give you peace of mind post recall work anyway. It's a two-pronged problem. You still have the fuel shut-off issue to worry about which is just as bad if not worse. You'll need to yank the K-harness, undo the reflash, reconnect the column lock and ensure it's working properly before installing the CLB. Then your CLB will let you sleep at night. Have a good one and good luck
Le Mans Master
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
That being said I still would not have any of the recalls performed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Senecaville Ohio
I have tried to ask this before. I have a 04 manual that has had the 04006 reprogram computer recall done. No GM harness installed. I have still ordered the CLB from Corvettes of Houston due to be in tomorrow. Does this just get installed regardless of the computer reprogram recall performed or do I need to have the dealer take the recall out back to normal?
Laurie
Laurie
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I didn't misinterpret anything and I never said a word about your getting the CLB. Your contention that simply backing up got you out of your column lock up isn't correct insofar as those that haven't installed a CLB could possibly expect to think that backing up is going to free the steering wheel.
Installing your CLB won't give you peace of mind post recall work anyway. It's a two-pronged problem. You still have the fuel shut-off issue to worry about which is just as bad if not worse. You'll need to yank the K-harness, undo the reflash, reconnect the column lock and ensure it's working properly before installing the CLB. Then your CLB will let you sleep at night. Have a good one and good luck
Installing your CLB won't give you peace of mind post recall work anyway. It's a two-pronged problem. You still have the fuel shut-off issue to worry about which is just as bad if not worse. You'll need to yank the K-harness, undo the reflash, reconnect the column lock and ensure it's working properly before installing the CLB. Then your CLB will let you sleep at night. Have a good one and good luck
It's always worth a shot. I hadn't seen it posted in any of the threads that I looked at about this issue. It's hard to keep up with what previous owners have done with their car and some may think the recall is the genuine CLB (when it isn't). It's worth trying everything you can before resorting to the dealer should something occur (as long as you aren't going to mess anything up further).
I didn't mean for it to sound like I was saying all you have to is back up if you don't have the CLB and you'll be golden. I got lucky with it. Not everyone's issues maybe that simple, but some can be and it might save them a trip to the dealership. I probably looked over it but the only advise I saw was slamming the wheel into the stops or check the battery voltage. Nothing about the wheels becoming binded from the way you pulled in and trying backing up a little bit to relieve the pressure.
Thank you for the advice on removing the recall mod, but how do you go about removing the reflash?
*note* Is there any way to check which recalls have been done on this car? I see a number in the receipts from 2001 about this issue but it doesn't match the number exactly for the recall that I see others stating. If the car unlocked itself and wasn't on the restricted fuel does that mean that it hasn't had the recall? Shouldn't it of been shutting off after 2 mph?
For Laurie-
Taken from the Column Lock FAQ thread. It looks like you can use the CLB without removing the recall, but as Cajun99 said you may have to contend with the fuel shut off problem at anytime.
Q I had the recall done and now after a few weeks my car is getting the dreaded “Service Column Lock” error message and I can’t drive it because the fuel is shut off. What should I do?
A You have the following choices: 1) return to the dealer and make them fix it; 2) A4 cars - replace or remove the Harness "K" assembly; 3) remove the recall mods and restore to original; 4)MN6/M12 cars only - go into your passenger footwell, locate the relay added by the recall mod, remove the relay altogether and bypass the circuit as described below (my choice).
Q What happens when I install an aftermarket CLB and it doesn’t work?
A You probably have the GM recall mod (mentioned above) installed on your car already. This could happen by GM installing the mod at the factory, or the recall mod was already completed by you or a previous owner.
Q How can I tell if I’ve had the recall mod?
A1 If you have an A4 car, can you turn your steering wheel freely while the ignition key is removed? If so, you probably DO have the recall mod.
A2 For all cars, you can inspect your wiring by removing your knee bolster under the driver's side. Inspect your column lock harness. If the four wires in your ECL harness are Orange, Purple, Green, Black on both sides of the connector, then you DO NOT have the recall mod installed. If you have White, Purple, Green, Black on either side of the connector, then you DO have the recall mod.
Q Why is there sometimes a conflict between the recall mod and my CLB?
A For MN6 and M12 cars, the recall mod added a second relay (different from the Harness K which is the GM version of the CLB) between your BCM and your ECL in series with the orange (LOCK) wire. This is to safeguard against a spurious glitch from ever locking your ECL while you are driving (clearly GM is paranoid now). The problem is that this second relay is causing a timing glitch, which resets your CLB immediately after it switches states. The reason it works with your stock ECL is because your ECL motor (being mechanical and slow compared to solid-state logic), is immune to these timing glitches whereas the latching relay inside your CLB sees these glitches and reacts to them.
Q For MN6/M12 cars what can I do if this situation occurs?
A Go into your passenger footwell. Remove your BCM and locate the recall mod relay, remove it and add a jumper wire between the white wire (pin 30) and the orange wire (pin 87). Note that there are two orange wires, so make sure you get the right one!
A You have the following choices: 1) return to the dealer and make them fix it; 2) A4 cars - replace or remove the Harness "K" assembly; 3) remove the recall mods and restore to original; 4)MN6/M12 cars only - go into your passenger footwell, locate the relay added by the recall mod, remove the relay altogether and bypass the circuit as described below (my choice).
Q What happens when I install an aftermarket CLB and it doesn’t work?
A You probably have the GM recall mod (mentioned above) installed on your car already. This could happen by GM installing the mod at the factory, or the recall mod was already completed by you or a previous owner.
Q How can I tell if I’ve had the recall mod?
A1 If you have an A4 car, can you turn your steering wheel freely while the ignition key is removed? If so, you probably DO have the recall mod.
A2 For all cars, you can inspect your wiring by removing your knee bolster under the driver's side. Inspect your column lock harness. If the four wires in your ECL harness are Orange, Purple, Green, Black on both sides of the connector, then you DO NOT have the recall mod installed. If you have White, Purple, Green, Black on either side of the connector, then you DO have the recall mod.
Q Why is there sometimes a conflict between the recall mod and my CLB?
A For MN6 and M12 cars, the recall mod added a second relay (different from the Harness K which is the GM version of the CLB) between your BCM and your ECL in series with the orange (LOCK) wire. This is to safeguard against a spurious glitch from ever locking your ECL while you are driving (clearly GM is paranoid now). The problem is that this second relay is causing a timing glitch, which resets your CLB immediately after it switches states. The reason it works with your stock ECL is because your ECL motor (being mechanical and slow compared to solid-state logic), is immune to these timing glitches whereas the latching relay inside your CLB sees these glitches and reacts to them.
Q For MN6/M12 cars what can I do if this situation occurs?
A Go into your passenger footwell. Remove your BCM and locate the recall mod relay, remove it and add a jumper wire between the white wire (pin 30) and the orange wire (pin 87). Note that there are two orange wires, so make sure you get the right one!
Last edited by jpm5321; May 3, 2007 at 09:05 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,603
Likes: 305
From: Carmel Indiana
Ok, I have read just about every CL post in last month, including the sticky from 2004 that goes to great detail. I just purchased an 03 6sp last month and up till then never heard of CL. My steering wheel still locks up when removing the key and I hear the little "whir" motor noise which I take is the pin going in. This means I have not had the recall done, CORRECT?
I cringe at taking the dash apart and pulling wires out for an aftermarket CLB, because there are just enough posts out there that indicate it still causes different computer issues or voiding factory warranties with putting in the CLB. But, about 90% of you say do it and do it now.
I cringe at taking the dash apart and pulling wires out for an aftermarket CLB, because there are just enough posts out there that indicate it still causes different computer issues or voiding factory warranties with putting in the CLB. But, about 90% of you say do it and do it now.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Springdale AR
My car's service history shows that the V1409-04006 "install wire kit only - U.S. manuals" has been done on 2/27/06. My local dealership shop here swears that this is the "good" recall that totally fixes it because the lock motor is still there and actuates, but the locking plate on the wheel was removed (steering wheel turns even with key out). I have a brand new CLB, but I haven't installed it for fear that it will confuse something in my car. "If it's not broke, don't fix it"... I just wish there was some definitive instruction on what to do with these cars after the latest recall has been done.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,500
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From: VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I think the fear with the recall being done is that they reflash your cars computer so that if it goes above 2 mph with the column lock issue the fuel cuts off (it thinks the car is being stolen wether or not it actually is). Cajun99 seems to know alot about this issue so he might be able to provide a more technical reasoning for it all and what to do to prevent any future issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
I cringe at taking the dash apart and pulling wires out for an aftermarket CLB, because there are just enough posts out there that indicate it still causes different computer issues or voiding factory warranties with putting in the CLB. But, about 90% of you say do it and do it now.
It is not hard, and as far as computer issues and voiding factory warranties, I wouldn't hesitate a minute compared to the issues you'll have by not doing the CLB.