Service Steering Column Lock
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
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Service Steering Column Lock
I have a 2000 Corvette with 16000 original miles. I purchased the car in 2003 with 6000 miles on it. In 2005 I received the recall on the Steering Column Lock. I took the car to the dealer and had the recall satisfied at this time the car had 12000 miles and I had had no problems relating to the recall. Just this week 39 months after the recall had been fixed I got in the car started it and a message came on that said " Remove key wait 10 seconds " which I did. I restarted the car and a message came on said " Service steering column " at this time the car would go into gear (forward or reverse) and die after a few feet. I had car towed to dealer that did the recall now I'm being told it needs a Steering Column Lock Motor at an installed price of $557. I contacted Chevrolet customer complaint dept they have responded saying they have researched case there are no known problems and cannot help because of the age of the vehicle. Anyone experience this problem??? If so any suggestions jdrobertson@tds.net
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
One of the most common problems with the C5 Corvette. Amazing that they said they have never heard of it. 
As previously stated. Get the the car towed home and buy a steering column lock bypass kit for about $50.
Here's the link to common C5 problems.
Click here.
As previously stated. Get the the car towed home and buy a steering column lock bypass kit for about $50.
Here's the link to common C5 problems.
Click here.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Santa Barbara CA
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Service Steering Column
Hey guys I'm the one that had the long post earlier about the "remove key and wait 10 second" and the "service steering column " message. My steering never locked up I just got that message and the car would shut off after a few feet. I was able to back out of garage turn wheel and drive it up on a rollback wrecker. Do you think we are talking about the same problem, being that my steering never actually "Locked Up"?
Any help would be appreciated.
jdrobertson2tds.net
Any help would be appreciated.
jdrobertson2tds.net
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Hey guys I'm the one that had the long post earlier about the "remove key and wait 10 second" and the "service steering column " message. My steering never locked up I just got that message and the car would shut off after a few feet. I was able to back out of garage turn wheel and drive it up on a rollback wrecker. Do you think we are talking about the same problem, being that my steering never actually "Locked Up"?
Any help would be appreciated.
jdrobertson2tds.net
Any help would be appreciated.
jdrobertson2tds.net
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Hey guys I'm the one that had the long post earlier about the "remove key and wait 10 second" and the "service steering column " message. My steering never locked up I just got that message and the car would shut off after a few feet. I was able to back out of garage turn wheel and drive it up on a rollback wrecker. Do you think we are talking about the same problem, being that my steering never actually "Locked Up"?
Any help would be appreciated.
jdrobertson2tds.net
Any help would be appreciated.
jdrobertson2tds.net
I then ordered a CLB unit, and installed it about a week later..........not one problem since, and that's just about 3 years, and 14,000 miles ago.
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From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Round Rock Texas
I have a 2000, and had the same thing happen to me after I purchased it a three years ago. The previous owner had just had the recall performed prior to my purchase. My harness K failed within 800 miles of being installed by the dealer as part of the recall, which included removing the steering wheel locking plate. I avoided having the car towed because the problem occured at my home, and I received excellant advice from a forum member, who told me to remove the knee bolster below the steering column, and disconnect and remove the harness K, and re-connect the wiring ends as they were prior to the recall installation of the harness K, (Believe I also had 1st disconnected the battery, and then removed and then re-inserted a fuse, just can't recall the #) and what do you know, the car started and ran fine I then ordered a CLB unit, and installed it about a week later..........not one problem since, and that's just about 3 years, and 14,000 miles ago.
I then ordered a CLB unit, and installed it about a week later..........not one problem since, and that's just about 3 years, and 14,000 miles ago.I just had my column lock up on me again. It happened to me a few months ago and I called Chevrolet Customer Service who did a great job handling the problem. They had the regional service manager contact my dealer to fix the problem at no charge and constantly followed up with me to make sure I was being taken care of by the dealership. They did remove the locking plate and reinstalled a new k-harness. Well yesterday that harness failed on me and as per your post I did remove it and reconnected to the factory connectors and everything is now peachy. My next stop will be ordering a CLB. Thank you for the great info.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
My understanding of the problem is that the clb will do you no good if the column has locked already. I know there are tricks you can try to get it to unlock {pull fuses,yank on wheel etc] but if it doesnt the clb wont unlock it. I talked to the guys at corvettes of houston and they confirmed that. My dealer wanted $650 to install a new lock motor. Since they had already done that under the previous fix I refused, got Chevy involved and eventually one of them paid. The funny thing is that neither one of the parties wanted to claim that they took care of the bill!! They,[the dealer and GM] each claimed ;the other one paid the bill. Wonderfull..
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My understanding of the problem is that the clb will do you no good if the column has locked already. I know there are tricks you can try to get it to unlock {pull fuses,yank on wheel etc] but if it doesnt the clb wont unlock it. I talked to the guys at corvettes of houston and they confirmed that. My dealer wanted $650 to install a new lock motor. Since they had already done that under the previous fix I refused, got Chevy involved and eventually one of them paid. The funny thing is that neither one of the parties wanted to claim that they took care of the bill!! They,[the dealer and GM] each claimed ;the other one paid the bill. Wonderfull..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
Where did you buy your kit from? I got mine from Corvettes of HOuston and they told me the system had to be operational before their kit would work. Otherwise I wouldnt have taken it to the dealer. Misinformed salesperson maybe??
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
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My understanding of the problem is that the clb will do you no good if the column has locked already. I know there are tricks you can try to get it to unlock {pull fuses,yank on wheel etc] but if it doesnt the clb wont unlock it. I talked to the guys at corvettes of houston and they confirmed that. My dealer wanted $650 to install a new lock motor. Since they had already done that under the previous fix I refused, got Chevy involved and eventually one of them paid. The funny thing is that neither one of the parties wanted to claim that they took care of the bill!! They,[the dealer and GM] each claimed ;the other one paid the bill. Wonderfull..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 43
From: Scottsdale Az
Do you remember who you talked to at Chevy? I have contacted them spoke to a District customer service specialist Amelia Sheperd she is absolutely no help. I think she is reading from a script telling me that Chevrolet has policy's this recall is closed. She says it over and over it's like I'm talking to a robot.
Get the clb. It comes with a power supply to unlock the wheel. Then find someone with HP tuners and have them raise your fuel cutoff from 2mph to 255mph (the max). Problem solved.
Tip: Fill out your profile. If you were anywhere near me I would do the work on your vette for free, but I don't know where you are...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 786
Likes: 6
From: Manassas VA/Flagler Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '13,'19
Buy thr Column lock bypass from Corvettes of Houston for $50. It' s an easy install and you'll never have a problem. Put mine in a week after I bought my Vette. It always helps to research cars before you buy them. This Forum is the bible for Corvettes!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 21
From: centennial colorado
Some battles with gm can be won. Witness my case. I dont have any clue who I talked to at gm and I think what happened is that my local dealer wanted me to give them a good review in the customer satisfaction survey they said I would receive. He called me and expressed how important it was for me to give him a good review. Since I felt he was lying to me I would not have given a good review. I never got the survey!!
Like I said before, I called corvettes of houston and they told me their kit would not work to unlock a locked column. They told me it had to be operational before the kit would work. I'm not sure if that is accurate but it IS what I was told. Dont take a chance, get a clb before it happens to you because it will!!
Like I said before, I called corvettes of houston and they told me their kit would not work to unlock a locked column. They told me it had to be operational before the kit would work. I'm not sure if that is accurate but it IS what I was told. Dont take a chance, get a clb before it happens to you because it will!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 43
From: Scottsdale Az
Originally Posted by Corvettes of Houston website
Also includes a 12 Volt adapter, which is necessary to disable the lock before installing the bypass box. The adapter is no longer needed after the bypass box has been installed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 43
From: Scottsdale Az
I think the confusion here is that there are at least two variations of the locked column. One is where the actuator can successfully withdraw the lock pin. The second is where due to wear conditions the lock pin is jammed in the lock ring ro tight that the actuator cannot retract the pin. In those cases the link below points to a procedure that usually will unlock the column.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=unlock
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=unlock
I still haven't seen where they have agreed to order the CLB and do it right this time.
