Problem: Service Column Lock
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Problem: Service Column Lock
My '99 C5 Coupe has had a great service record. Unfortunately, a new error message "Service Column Lock" won't allow me to drive my car. I have read the owner's manual , and all it says to do is to have the car towed. I really don't want to do that. Dealers in my area don't seem to be able to fix anything, and want to charge $100 to do the simplest things (i.e. put a new battery in my key fob). Any suggestions as to how I can turn this function off permanently would be greatly appreciated. Nothing else appears wrong with my vette. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
There is a sticky thread in the Technical forum that goes into great detail about this issue. Here it is:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I found out that the recall repair had been carried out years ago. The clueless dealership can't tell me what they would do if I tow the Vette into them. Will buying the $100 harness and one hour of work fix this? I worry that it won't since recall work has already taken place.
To backup a bit, this is what's going on. I start the car, and the DIC tells me to remove the key and wait 10 seconds. After doing so, the display states, "Service Column Lock". I hit the rest button, put the car in drive, and the engine kills once I hit 1.5 mph.
I've disconnected the battery (it's a new battery, so low voltage isn't an issue). I've put new batteries in my key remote fobs too.
I will "shock" the lock motor actuator buy jerking the steering wheel when it's locked, tonight when I get home. However, I don't think the steering wheel is locked anyway. I'll see. Further, I will pull fuse 23 tonight, and see if that resets the BCM.
I really appreciate you guys helping me with this problem. I think that I need to fix this one without a dealership's help, based on past experience...
To backup a bit, this is what's going on. I start the car, and the DIC tells me to remove the key and wait 10 seconds. After doing so, the display states, "Service Column Lock". I hit the rest button, put the car in drive, and the engine kills once I hit 1.5 mph.
I've disconnected the battery (it's a new battery, so low voltage isn't an issue). I've put new batteries in my key remote fobs too.
I will "shock" the lock motor actuator buy jerking the steering wheel when it's locked, tonight when I get home. However, I don't think the steering wheel is locked anyway. I'll see. Further, I will pull fuse 23 tonight, and see if that resets the BCM.
I really appreciate you guys helping me with this problem. I think that I need to fix this one without a dealership's help, based on past experience...
Last edited by dave.butterfield; Mar 20, 2009 at 10:54 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
I have a 200 C5 and had the same problem.
My car had 2 of GMs fixes and it still displayed " service column lock " messages.
I removed the ":bypass " ( a cheap solenoid that GM installs and installed a CLB from Corvettes of Houston. PROBLEM SOLVED.
This is the first mod ( almost ) any C5 owner should perform. IMO
If it has not happened to you yet and your car is within the models prone to the mallady it sooner or later will most likely happen.
Mike
Portalnd Oregon
My car had 2 of GMs fixes and it still displayed " service column lock " messages.
I removed the ":bypass " ( a cheap solenoid that GM installs and installed a CLB from Corvettes of Houston. PROBLEM SOLVED.
This is the first mod ( almost ) any C5 owner should perform. IMO If it has not happened to you yet and your car is within the models prone to the mallady it sooner or later will most likely happen.
Mike
Portalnd Oregon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
1) Unhook your battery
2) Remove the knee bolster(under the steering column)
3) Remove the K Harness installed by the dealer when they performed the recall.
4) Plug the wiring connections back together, as they were by the factory, before the recall was done by the dealer
5) Hook up the battery
6) Start and drive your car...........I'll bet it's just fine
7) Order a CLB from COH or Thunder Racing
8) Install said CLB when you get it
9) Drive your vette and forget it!
2) Remove the knee bolster(under the steering column)
3) Remove the K Harness installed by the dealer when they performed the recall.
4) Plug the wiring connections back together, as they were by the factory, before the recall was done by the dealer
5) Hook up the battery
6) Start and drive your car...........I'll bet it's just fine
7) Order a CLB from COH or Thunder Racing
8) Install said CLB when you get it
9) Drive your vette and forget it!
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I installed the column lock bypass yesterday. Followed the instructions set by 8VETTE7. Worked perfectly! Man, is it nice to have my corvette back! Thanks to everyone that offered advice!
Dave Butterfield
Dave Butterfield
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
8VETTE7 gave me instructions (I think it was him) that had pictures. He really took the time to explain the installation thoroughly. This expedited the CLB installation. The instructions that came with the CLB were not good enough. Be sure to get the instructions with photos from 8VETTE7!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
8VETTE7 gave me instructions (I think it was him) that had pictures. He really took the time to explain the installation thoroughly. This expedited the CLB installation. The instructions that came with the CLB were not good enough. Be sure to get the instructions with photos from 8VETTE7!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Lees Summit Mo
Is tis what is about to happen to me??!!??!!
The other day I went to leave and nothing happened when I turned the key. The message center said pull the key and wait 10 seconds....I did....put it back in and started right up ...no further massages....no problem with it sense!!! Am I destined to be stranded soon?
The other day I went to leave and nothing happened when I turned the key. The message center said pull the key and wait 10 seconds....I did....put it back in and started right up ...no further massages....no problem with it sense!!! Am I destined to be stranded soon?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Is tis what is about to happen to me??!!??!!
The other day I went to leave and nothing happened when I turned the key. The message center said pull the key and wait 10 seconds....I did....put it back in and started right up ...no further massages....no problem with it sense!!! Am I destined to be stranded soon?
The other day I went to leave and nothing happened when I turned the key. The message center said pull the key and wait 10 seconds....I did....put it back in and started right up ...no further massages....no problem with it sense!!! Am I destined to be stranded soon?
However, if you do not know if your column lock system has been bypassed, it would be wise to do a little investigation.
Find out what recalls were done on your car, and what is currently installed. Does your column still lock when you turn the key off?
Do you still hear the actuator cycle when you turn the key off?
The answer to these questions will give you a clue as to whether you will have a column lock problem in your future.
