Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Column lock issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 09:38 AM
  #1  
teebee's Avatar
teebee
Thread Starter
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Default Column lock issues

I have a couple of questions about C5s. Apparently the column lock issue is a widespread problem. I read the sticky note here at C5 Gen and followed the links talking about the column lock issue. The problem is most of those threads are 3-5 years old. What is the current status of this problem? Has there been a wide spread fix? Apparently the Auto-fix is/has been successful, what about the Manual trans cars? If one experiences the problem will Chevy fix it (under a recall) on older cars (01-02) or is this owner responsibility?

How many here have experienced it and what have you done to alleviate the problem? Please respond with year and transmission type and approximate mileage.

Also if you have had the problem and had it fixed, did you do the work yourself to fix it or did you take it somewhere?

Going this afternoon to drive an 01 (manual) and 02 (auto) and would like to be able to be objective about driving both cars. They are similarly equipped, mileage (about 30k), and price.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 10:39 AM
  #2  
THE TECH's Avatar
THE TECH
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 0
From: Hills of Anaheim CA
Default

Just buy a CLB and be done. If you only found 3-5 year old threads then you are not searching correctly.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 10:55 AM
  #3  
dougbfresh's Avatar
dougbfresh
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Default

GM can't fix this problem PERIOD-you'll have to fix it yourself with aftermarket parts. See above post!
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 10:58 AM
  #4  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,781
Likes: 24,683
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 '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

The dealer installed fix has not proven to be a reliable fix. And if you have to get it fixed again, chances are it will be on your dime (and it's not cheap).

Best bet is the purchase a $50 or so column lock bypass and install it. You can do this yourself - it's easy and it does fix the problem. Forum vendors Corvettes of Houston or Thunder Racing sell the CLB.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 11:02 AM
  #5  
mrm1149's Avatar
mrm1149
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Default

Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
The dealer installed fix has not proven to be a reliable fix. And if you have to get it fixed again, chances are it will be on your dime (and it's not cheap).

Best bet is the purchase a $50 or so column lock bypass and install it. You can do this yourself - it's easy and it does fix the problem. Forum vendors Corvettes of Houston or Thunder Racing sell the CLB.
absolutely the thing to do.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 01:42 PM
  #6  
teebee's Avatar
teebee
Thread Starter
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Default

OK, thanks guys. I'm off to drive the cars in about an hour.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 05:52 PM
  #7  
teebee's Avatar
teebee
Thread Starter
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Default

Just to let you know, I got back a little while ago after test driving the 01 and the 02. This is my first experience with driving a C5... they are a very nice machine, very different than my 94. I actually think I like the automatic better (the 02). Maybe I'm getting old, but driving the 6 speed in city traffic got old pretty fast.

I told them where I thought we ought to be, so we will wait and see what happens. If we get much further I'll have them check the VIN for recalls. but it looks like if/when I buy, I'll do some checking on the aftermarket CLB.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Column lock issues





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:36 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE