Column Lock Nightmare!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle, PA
Column Lock Nightmare!
Column lock has struck! Friday after work I went out to get in the car, started the engine and began to back up. When I went to turn the wheel to pull out of my spot I realized there was a problem... The dreaded column lock message was on my screen! Took 1 1/2 hours for the tow truck to get it loaded because of the location and the lack of steering. Working with GM to see if they are going to pay for the repair...which is unlikely. 
Get a call today stating that the part that is needed is on backorder until the END OF MAY!!! 
Anyone else had any luck having GM foot the bill? Anyone else having the same backorder nightmare?? Thanks for letting me vent!!
Get a call today stating that the part that is needed is on backorder until the END OF MAY!!! Anyone else had any luck having GM foot the bill? Anyone else having the same backorder nightmare?? Thanks for letting me vent!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 50
From: How the hell can I make it faster???
Have you had this since new? If so, why did you wait until it broke?
I got my recall for this years ago, but by that time, I had already installed a bypass before it failed
I got my recall for this years ago, but by that time, I had already installed a bypass before it failed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle, PA
I have to admit that I only drove this as a pleasure vehicle and we never had a problem with this issue. I guess I was being naive thinking that it wasn't an issue with my car. Now I know....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 23
From: Joplin, MO, USA
Same thing happened to a buddy getting ready to autocross this weekend, had to get towed home. Another club member just happened to have the bypass kit with him, but it's too late by the time it happens. Guess what he is going to have done real soon?!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Kentucky
They will definately charge you to take care of the column lock problem again if a dealer has already performed it. A fellow club member has had that experience this past year. I believe the service was around $350.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Had the same thing happen to me but I was lucky and had my laptop with me. I just tuned out the fuel cut off and fired it back up and drove home. Now if you still have the lock plate installed then tryin to drive wouldn't be such a good idea.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle, PA
Just unreal that my car will be at the garage for 2 months!!!
So once they take care of this repair of the Steering Harness it would be recommended to install the bypass?
Thank you for listening to my whining!!
So once they take care of this repair of the Steering Harness it would be recommended to install the bypass?
Thank you for listening to my whining!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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I own a 2004 A4. I have never received a column lock recall notice, however I have read a few horror stories, including the OP's.
Should I be proactive on this and contact GM or is this issue only for specific years and/or transmissions?
Should I be proactive on this and contact GM or is this issue only for specific years and/or transmissions?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Wood Ridge NJ
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
We have purchased a 97 and looking at the records the original owner had the GM recall done. Should I still get a CLB from some where else and does it go inplace of the factory unit?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 43
From: Scottsdale Az
I can't count how many people do not listen and end up having a ton more trouble.
Order a CLB from COH and install... problem solved.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,305
Likes: 1
From: Red city in deep blue Oregon
St. Jude Donor '17
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
well I have EFI Live so I just needed to go to the theft section and under column lock you can click no. That will disable the fuel cutoff. I just left mine that way. You will still need the CLB bypass because if you don't you may still get the column lock message. The deal was my bypass went bad that day so the car wouldn't run. Tuned the fuel cutoff out and then I could drive it just like normal other than the service column lock flashing in my face. Went and got a new CLB just to make the message stop coming up. But in reality I wouldn't even of had to buy another one if I didn't mind hitting the reset to clear the message. But like I said before DO NOT tune the fuel cutoff out unless you have the lock plate in the steering wheel removed or you could crash. The reason for the cutoff is so if the steering wheel locks the car will die. Well mine won't ever die now and strand me but since I have the lock plate removed there is no chance of my steering wheel to lock while driving.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,305
Likes: 1
From: Red city in deep blue Oregon
St. Jude Donor '17
well I have EFI Live so I just needed to go to the theft section and under column lock you can click no. That will disable the fuel cutoff. I just left mine that way. You will still need the CLB bypass because if you don't you may still get the column lock message. The deal was my bypass went bad that day so the car wouldn't run. Tuned the fuel cutoff out and then I could drive it just like normal other than the service column lock flashing in my face. Went and got a new CLB just to make the message stop coming up. But in reality I wouldn't even of had to buy another one if I didn't mind hitting the reset to clear the message. But like I said before DO NOT tune the fuel cutoff out unless you have the lock plate in the steering wheel removed or you could crash. The reason for the cutoff is so if the steering wheel locks the car will die. Well mine won't ever die now and strand me but since I have the lock plate removed there is no chance of my steering wheel to lock while driving.
If so, then the oft-quoted "Install the CLB and forget about it forever" refrain is maybe not so "forever-ish"?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I recommend personally to have the fuel cutoff disabled but whoever has this done PLEASE make sure you have the lock plate removed from the steering wheel. It would be bad if the steering wheel locked but the car kept running
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
