Well then you're "excused", Eh?

 

Yes there have been some cases of the column locking up while driving. This is why GM programs the gas to shutoff at 2-3 mph if the computer thinks the column lock may be out of synch on one of the recalls.

 

I believe that the reason for the fuel shut off was not derived by the 'fact' there had been instances of CL while driving - rather it was a safety related item that since some people might want to drive the Vette with the steering locked (from a dead start) that the fuel would be shut off - thus these same persons could not sue GM and say they had not been precluded from driving even though the steering was locked

 

All the stuff I've read about the column lock defect indicates that the electronic column lock (ECL) locking pin fails to "withdraw fully" when attempting to start the vehicle. Nothing about the locking pin engaging unexpectedly while under way. If in fact that has happened (engaging unexpectedly), or even COULD happen, I think GM would initiate an emergency recall immediately rather than risk the almost certain very nasty injury and death lawsuits. Too bad it DIDN'T happen (with no injuries) - might have prompted GM to get serious about a permanent fix.

 

Note to Self: Learn about CLB, find out how to tell if car has the possibility of trying to straighten out a curve by self-locking the steering wheel.

Thanks for the "Heads Up"

Andy

 

Anyone with a 98 should take it to the dealer for the recall and have them remove the locking plate as the 98's seem to have rejection problems with the CLB.

If anyone has a question as to whether their cloumn still locks, simply grasp your steering wheel with the key out of the ignition and attempt to turn the wheel. If the wheel won't turn a little side to side then your car still has the locking plate and doesn't have a CLB. If the wheel does turn a little then your car either has had the recall or it has a CLB. You can have any Chevy dealer run your VIN to see what service has been done to your car.

 

I think it is fairly unlikely that you'd get a lock up on the move but GM think its possible or they wouldn't have a recall program. Even so the problems are with the pin failing to withdraw not locking when moving.

Thats said get a CLB yesterday. Mileage is irrelevant but eventually it will lock up. Its a $50 part and then you're covered. CLB works and the recall is worse than useless.

CLB

 

Sir, if you read here enough you will see time and time again, the people who post who knew about the Column lock bypass, yet DIDN'T install it and were STRANDED because of it!!!!

They all cry "I SHOULD HAVE DONE IT"!!!! Better yet, the people who had the dealer do the "RECALL", they cry the LOUDEST, because they believe the car is "FIXED", and yet it screws up again. The only FIX is a a COLUMN LOCK BYPASS, order one from Corvettes of Houston, TODAY!!!! Or, I'm sure your shocked and amazed post of column lock failure will grace our pages in the future!


I have an '04, and I did mine at $30K miles, I just don't want to take a chance, get stuck, have to be towed, scratched, and generally messed over with by whatever dealer is near when it fails........and IT WILL FAIL, the question is when? As everyone has said, $50., a half hour of time and you are done, FOREVER!!!

John

 

I believe it happened to at least one person which is what created the recall in the first place via the Federal Government. I know I read it one time long ago. Mine locked but not while moving and it was just before the recall was issued therefore I had to pay to have it towed and repaired, then the recall happened. So I got GM to pay me back, plus they had to do the recall, then the second recall or TSB happened and was done. It locked once after all that, so in went the CLB and no problems since.

 

Yeah, i doubt anyone has had one lock while driving. It seems to me that they just don't "unlock" when you turn the key, not that they "lock" at a random time.

If it did lock while you were driving....yahoooooooooooooo, pending your survival....you will own a C6 Z06 soon after, heck....you will probably own a dealership.


edit: just wanted to throw some more ....'s in here.......

 

here is what it says on the NHTSA website(sorry for the CAPS but this is the way it is on the website.

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK SYSTEMS (ECL), WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO ¿LOCK,¿ THE ECL SYSTEM PREVENTS TURNING OF THE STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ECL UNLOCKS THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF THE COLUMN FAILS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE CUSTOMER TRIES TO DRIVE, THE FUEL SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT OFF SO THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE WHEN THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STEERED. IF VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, HOWEVER, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR AND THE VEHICLE CAN BE ACCELERATED WHILE THE STEERING SYSTEM IS LOCKED. ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING

 

^^^Yikes, i guess it is possible. That would suck.

 

I have an '01 MN6, contacted GM/Chevy they said based on your VIN s/n yours is exempt. Last weekend battery went dead, replaced with new AC/Delco unit. This morning, with no warning, get in turn the key to ON, it says Remove key wait 10 seconds. Hmmm, doesn't sound good followed by Service Column Lock. Now that really doesn't sound good.

I went ahead and started it up ran it for a bit at about 2K rpm to ensure I had a good top off on the battery charge. Shut it down, used the rage method of back and forth to the stops on the steering wheel. Inserted key back to on, column lock worked. Ran it for a few more minutes shut it down, back in the house and ordered the CLB from Corvettes of Houston. Hopefully it will behave until I get it next week! Right now I'm being really careful to ensure the wheel is straight when I shut down and not touch the wheel so the pin doesn't lock. Just in case.

What bothers me about the whole dang thing is if Chevy knew about it and stopped installing the dang things on 01-04 A4 models why the heck did the not do that to both A4 and MN6 plus make the recall to remove all that stuff!

In can happen to any C5 MN6, at any time, when your least expecting it. Lucky for me, mine was still in the garage at the time and I was home to hope on CF to read about what to do. Helps too, to clear any codes.

 

Yours is exempt from what?

If it is MN6 and still has the locking plate it should not be exempt from the recall if that is what you were referring too.

 

Yes that is what I was told from BH Chevy service when asked about the recall, gave them the s/n and they said mine was not applicable because of the s/n range?

Obviously it is not!

 

GM DID try toremove the lock system some time ago as a recall, however our Governemnt would not give them permission to disable one of Federally required primary locking systems until a collection of problem incidents was proven and an exemtion finally granted. As soon as the exemption was granted, the 3rd recall was written but poorly publicised. Even today, a bit over a year after the 3rd recall, many dealers only have the first 2 recalls, largely inefective, in thier service departemnts. If you want to know what is in the final recall, PM me with your email address and I will send you a PDF of it, Getting the recall done is free at a Chevy dealer, and the CLB Harness kit is easy to install for an affordable price, you REALLY ought to do either one immediatly,

 

I personally wouldn't fool with the dealer as they never fixed mine. They continue to install faulty K harnesses which puts you stranded again and back to square one. JUST GET THE CLB and sleep at night.

 

Well... Here it si....

The CLB just arrived on my house.... with the lighter Harness...

I think I will not install it until be necesary and if I sell the car before that, well, this is just a investment not succesfull hahaha...

I´ll try to keep as originial as posible...

Thanks to all for your posts!!