[Z06] Sorry...... column locked on me!
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Grand Rapids MI
Sorry...... column locked on me!
today i brought my car to sears auto center to have them install my new tires. After the install i jumped in my car and BAM! service column lock! WTF! Before I put my car in storage I had the stealership complete the recall for the column lock BUT apparently this doesnt solve the problem! The guys at sears were really helpful and even told me they would install the Column Lock Bypass for me. Can I order the CLB and have them install it even though its already locked??? I read in the sticky you cant but corvette of houstons website says theyre application will unlock it......???? Can anyone help me....I want to avoid the stealership at all cost! please!
Nate
Nate
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,686
Likes: 1,180
From: Raleigh
Someone will pipe in on if the CLB will but here is what I did when mine locked. I turned the wheel as hard as I could from lock to lock several times and then held it hard left and it came unlocked. Several others have tried that as well.
For anyone else reading this...it WILL happen to you. Get a CLB now!
For anyone else reading this...it WILL happen to you. Get a CLB now!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Grand Rapids MI
The crazy thing is that I guess because i had the dealership already do the recall the last. The wheel isnt locked but as soon as you let your foot off the clutch the fuel cuts and the car dies. This Sucks!!!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 473
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From: Waterloo Ontario
In the US, the recall is something like a 42 page procedure for fixing it properly, but here in Canada, thanks to the low demographics for Corvettes, all the stealerships will do is reprogram the computer. This does NOT solve the problem, it is a temporary fix at best, and worked for all of a day for me before I was stranded again. Did the rocking thing and did manage to get it going, and I was so pissed about it that I took it to a real mechanic and had them remove the lock plate completely. Never has a problem with it since. :-)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 43
From: Scottsdale Az
Not only do you need the CLB, but find a tuner to raise your fuel cutoff from the 2mph to the max (255mph). That way you can still drive it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
today i brought my car to sears auto center to have them install my new tires. After the install i jumped in my car and BAM! service column lock! WTF! Before I put my car in storage I had the stealership complete the recall for the column lock BUT apparently this doesnt solve the problem! The guys at sears were really helpful and even told me they would install the Column Lock Bypass for me. Can I order the CLB and have them install it even though its already locked??? I read in the sticky you cant but corvette of houstons website says theyre application will unlock it......???? Can anyone help me....I want to avoid the stealership at all cost! please!
Nate
Nate
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
If your column still locks, the dealer must not have installed the latest recall, which calls for removal of the lockplate and installing a Harness K kit.
To install a bypass, you either have to get the column to unlock or go ahead and remove the lockplate (which involves pulling the steering wheel)
Once you get the column where it cannot lock, you will need either the GM Harness K relay kit or and aftermarket CLB relay to send the correct signal back to the BCM to keep it from cutting fuel. The relay in each of these harnesses performs the same function, ie to simulate the column lock actuator and tell the BCM it is in the unlocked position.
To install a bypass, you either have to get the column to unlock or go ahead and remove the lockplate (which involves pulling the steering wheel)
Once you get the column where it cannot lock, you will need either the GM Harness K relay kit or and aftermarket CLB relay to send the correct signal back to the BCM to keep it from cutting fuel. The relay in each of these harnesses performs the same function, ie to simulate the column lock actuator and tell the BCM it is in the unlocked position.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
If you have trouble getting the servo to release even after yanking the wheel back and forth, try removing the steering column trim pieces and lightly to moderately tapping the servo with a hammer. It's on the bottom of the column.
If I remember correctly the CLB must be installed while the servo is in the unlock position.
I was stuck in a parking lot over Christmas and even had a tow truck on the way sent by the dealership. Using the above method I got the car moving and ordered the CLB from Corvettes of Houston on the way home. They were super nice and it was obvious MANY folks had called them in the same manner I had.
I occasionally get the "Pull key, wait 10 seconds" message, but no more lock issues!
If I remember correctly the CLB must be installed while the servo is in the unlock position.
I was stuck in a parking lot over Christmas and even had a tow truck on the way sent by the dealership. Using the above method I got the car moving and ordered the CLB from Corvettes of Houston on the way home. They were super nice and it was obvious MANY folks had called them in the same manner I had.
I occasionally get the "Pull key, wait 10 seconds" message, but no more lock issues!
Last edited by 11psiGSR; Mar 25, 2009 at 01:27 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Grand Rapids MI
thanks for all the helpful ideas im going up there now and crossing my fingers that something works so i can get the car home and install the CLB that i had overnighted from corvettes of houston.
Nate
Nate
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Grand Rapids MI
well no luck with the message going away or magical fix. The final question I would like to ask because I keep hearing different answers is: My column is not locked I can start the car and move the wheel freely, I just have the error msg's and the fuel shutoff. Is it possible for me to install the CLB with the car in this state and have it be driveable. (dont really give a damn about the msg's right now, just wanna drive) the salesman from thunder racing said it was possible but i dont know if he just wanted a sale.
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
well no luck with the message going away or magical fix. The final question I would like to ask because I keep hearing different answers is: My column is not locked I can start the car and move the wheel freely, I just have the error msg's and the fuel shutoff. Is it possible for me to install the CLB with the car in this state and have it be driveable. (dont really give a damn about the msg's right now, just wanna drive) the salesman from thunder racing said it was possible but i dont know if he just wanted a sale.
Thanks
Thanks
When you insert/remove the key can hear the solenoid inside the column? If not I'll bet the car already has it from the previous owner. Call him and say "Thank you".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I mis-read your original post. You got the column lock message, BUT your column did not actually lock. This means that most likely the relay in the GM Harness K has failed.
Since the lockplate has been removed, you do not need to worry about trying to make sure the actuator is in the unlocked position. The aftermarket bypass does not connect to the actuator, and it is the relay that sends the signal back to the BCM to simulate the actuator and keep the PCM from cutting the fuel.
You should be able to just remove the GM Harness K installed as part of the recall (be sure this is removed before you install an aftermarket CLB). Then you can just connect the aftermarket CLB. I think some people have made the mistake of connecting the CLB to the end of the Harness K instead of connecting it to the main wiring harness.
NOTE, The reason the CLB instructions say you must cycle the actuator to the unlocked position before installing the bypass is, these kits were designed before GM made removing the lockplate part of the recall. Therefore, you had to retract the actuator pin and disconnect the actuator so that it stays unlocked.
Since the lockplate has been removed, you do not need to worry about trying to make sure the actuator is in the unlocked position. The aftermarket bypass does not connect to the actuator, and it is the relay that sends the signal back to the BCM to simulate the actuator and keep the PCM from cutting the fuel.
You should be able to just remove the GM Harness K installed as part of the recall (be sure this is removed before you install an aftermarket CLB). Then you can just connect the aftermarket CLB. I think some people have made the mistake of connecting the CLB to the end of the Harness K instead of connecting it to the main wiring harness.
NOTE, The reason the CLB instructions say you must cycle the actuator to the unlocked position before installing the bypass is, these kits were designed before GM made removing the lockplate part of the recall. Therefore, you had to retract the actuator pin and disconnect the actuator so that it stays unlocked.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Mar 25, 2009 at 08:03 PM.
