I need some advice from you experts.

I have an '04 convertible and have never had a column lock problem. Suddenly, the column is not locking and I am getting a DIC warning "service column lock". This began immediately after I had the battery changed.

Is there anything that I can do to get the column to lock and not get the warning on the DIC? Or, do I have to take it to the dealer? Please help!!

 

This is a VERY common problem. More posts have been made about this than probably anything else! Either do a search and learn how to fix it by installing a column lock bypass (CLB) or wait for more members to chime in. Whatever you do... DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM!

 

The dealer fixes do not work. Read through the very long sticky and familiarize yourself with some possible short term fixes if you have to move the car and then purchase the CLB. I have learned this the hard way.

 

Like said, do a search for "Column Lock", and so many threads will pop up it will make you !

A quick fix to unlock the steering wheel, is to jerk the steering wheel back and forth, with the key out of the ignition.

That should work, but who knows for how long. Get a CLB or Column Lock Bypass from one of the forum vendors. Easy to install and will save you loads of headache. The dealer recall will only cause more issues. Good Luck!

 

His post says his column is NOT locking...this is not the typical problem. Maybe it was a typo, not sure.

 

If the column is not locking, try resetting the BCM computer - pull fuse #25 in the passenger footwell, wait 30 secs or so, and then re-insert the fuse.

 

I am having this same problem, the column isnt' locking, but I am getting the 'service column lock' message.

 

Then buy a CLB right away. It will be the best $50 spent on a C5. It's not a matter of IF it actually locks but WHEN. This should be the fix from GM but they of course came up with a cheaper part that WILL fail. So do your self a big favor and get a CLB. I got mine from Corvettes of Houston but there are a few vendors that sell them.

Hope resetting the BCM works for you guys and best of luck,

 

Not sure if RPVMARK's problem is the column lock problem, but here is the link to the "all you need to know about column lock problem" posted by forum member Cscokd.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1015483

 

Ok guys .here we go again............
1, Read his post.his column IS NOT LOCKING!!! If memory serves me correctly '04's column won't lock. My 02 never did lock. The column lock issue is usually with earlier C5's.
2, The first 2 GM recalls did not work very well. The 3rd recall does. It essentially removes the system. I'll post a copy of a previous thread I posted earlier below.
3. The battery change triggered the column lock on his DIC. Being his column IS NOT LOCKING.clearing all the codes will probably fix it.
4 The folks who say don't use a dealer have had bad experiences with dealers and I don't blame them. However, the dealer can fix it under warrenty by going by the LATEST safety recall. It is warrenty no matter how many miles, owners or years.
5 below is a copy of my earlier post.....
This column lock issue is really getting out of hand lately. There have been several posts regarding this in the past few weeks. Do a search and read them!!!. The first 2 issues of the recall removed the locking device in the column, but did not correct the fuel shut off feature!!!. Many of the after market kits don't address the fuel issue either. My neighbor just had the same problem . The car shut off when reaching 2 MPH. The 1st 2 portions of the recall had been taken of previously, His column didn't lock, but the fuel shut off. He got the pull key and wait....... and also "column lock" on the DIC. He had the car flatbedded to the local dealer for repairs. They told him $450.00 for repairs!!!. He is somewhat disabled and doesn't speak very well so I did the calling to the dealer for him. I explained to the service manager that PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL .GM-P06-028-04006C needs to done. This is an unpublicized safety recall. There is a phone # in this bullitin that can be called by the service dept and it explains that this is a SAFETY RECALL and will by covered by GM regardless of mileage, time, or # of owners. The dealer didn't believe me.I said just call the #!!!. They called me back about 1/2 hour later..They will fix my neighbor's vette @ NO CHARGE.per GM. This "C" version of the recall elimiates the fuel shut off issue. The first 2 portions of the recall MUST also be done prior to the "C" portion. I believe that this latest version also instructs the dealer to destroy the previous 1 and 2 recall paperwork. From now on, they are to do the entire procedure, remove the locking devices and install the new kit that eliminates the fuel problem. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the help silver... It's going into the dealer tomorrow to get this taken care of. It appears that although my column is not locked, the fuel is going down at an absorbent rate. The weird thing is, right after I bought my car 18 months ago, I PM'd a forum dealer to check if the latest recall had been done, and he told me was indeed performed. I'm starting to think he didn't even run my vin.

 

The new version of the recall does not eliminate the fuel cutoff. If you had had any of the previous recalls done it was programmed in then. On the new recall they do not do a flash. If your car never had the first recalls done and the newest version is the only one done no fuel cutoff.......

 

No problem Stealth.... There are different opinions on this issue. Read as many of the previous threads as you can. As far as dealer repairs are concerned,some dealers are bad, some are good, and some are great! Hope you have a good/great one in your area. It's a shame that the old saying "one bad apple spoils the barrel" applies here. We have a great dealer here in the Daytona Beach area. The closest to me in New Smyrna Beach is supposed to be pretty good also. They are the ones who fixed my neighbor's car. Best of luck.

Jim