Column Lock Bypass done....finally!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
From: Buckingham PA
Column Lock Bypass done....finally!
After 8 months of riding around with my newly purchased CLB in the console...I finally worked up enough courage to tear open the lower dash to install the CLB. Actually, I did it more out of fear that I have been living on borrowed time for far too long & didn't want to wait for the day the Z06 would need flatbed service with a malfunctioning locked column.
After getting over the initial shock of removing interior trim panels...the install is fairly simple....although, it always helps to have good instructions like these:
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
And this setup:
Now the scary looking part:
And who would have thought that all this would fit under the passenger's floormat:
A quick unplugging of the column lock wiring harness:
And then plug this bypass device in it's place:
Then, simply put everything back in place...managing NOT to have any leftover parts.
All done....and no more sound of the column lock engaging....time for a nice cold drink!
After getting over the initial shock of removing interior trim panels...the install is fairly simple....although, it always helps to have good instructions like these:
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
And this setup:
Now the scary looking part:
And who would have thought that all this would fit under the passenger's floormat:
A quick unplugging of the column lock wiring harness:
And then plug this bypass device in it's place:
Then, simply put everything back in place...managing NOT to have any leftover parts.
All done....and no more sound of the column lock engaging....time for a nice cold drink!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,457
Likes: 0
From: bolckow missouri
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City Missouri
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
From: Madison Wisconsin
Thats good that you're brave enough to do that. I just took mine to the dealer and got it fixed under warranty. I don't know if they actually installed a CLB or w/e but it hasn't done it again since.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 6
From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
What you got was GM's harness that has a very high failure rate and you also had your computer reprogrammed so that when the harness fails, you will be stranded as your fuel supply will shut down and you won't even be able to move your car.
That is the reason I haven't taken my '02 MN6 in for either of the recalls. I just have a CLB.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,457
Likes: 0
From: bolckow missouri
By taking it to the dealer I can guarantee that you did not get a CLB.
What you got was GM's harness that has a very high failure rate and you also had your computer reprogrammed so that when the harness fails, you will be stranded as your fuel supply will shut down and you won't even be able to move your car.
That is the reason I haven't taken my '02 MN6 in for either of the recalls. I just have a CLB.
What you got was GM's harness that has a very high failure rate and you also had your computer reprogrammed so that when the harness fails, you will be stranded as your fuel supply will shut down and you won't even be able to move your car.
That is the reason I haven't taken my '02 MN6 in for either of the recalls. I just have a CLB.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,385
Likes: 24,790
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Good move - no more worries about that pesky column lock.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
By taking it to the dealer I can guarantee that you did not get a CLB.
What you got was GM's harness that has a very high failure rate and you also had your computer reprogrammed so that when the harness fails, you will be stranded as your fuel supply will shut down and you won't even be able to move your car.
That is the reason I haven't taken my '02 MN6 in for either of the recalls. I just have a CLB.
What you got was GM's harness that has a very high failure rate and you also had your computer reprogrammed so that when the harness fails, you will be stranded as your fuel supply will shut down and you won't even be able to move your car.
That is the reason I haven't taken my '02 MN6 in for either of the recalls. I just have a CLB.
Smart move.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
From: Buckingham PA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND CERTAIN 2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT ONLY.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
You're a brave man! Good for you!
I have a '97 A4 that has had the computer "flashed" and the harness replaced by the dealer. I figure I'm living on borrowed time. Should do the same as you did!
I have a '97 A4 that has had the computer "flashed" and the harness replaced by the dealer. I figure I'm living on borrowed time. Should do the same as you did!