Column lock hell!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Euless TX
Column lock hell!!!!
my father is having a problem with his c5. we all know the great column lock situation. well it has warranty and they have replaced the harness twice and keeps having the same problem. now they want to replace the column lock and the warranty doesnt want to cover it because it was an existing problem! wtf no crap! it was a problem when it rolled out of the factory! so now i can even get them to unlock the car so i could even get it back home and buy a clb..... what do i do o great cf what do i do?!?!?! thanks 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest CA
It's not clear, but it sounds like the harnesses were replaced under factory warranty, and you now have an extended warranty through some insurer who claims it should be covered by the GM since they never fixed it properly in the first place.
They may have a point. You'll have to read the fine print on the policy.
If it's currently locked, you'll have to tow it. So who do you tow it to?
Call the dealer who did the work and tell them they're responsible as they never properly fixed it. With the state of things at GM, I don't know what success you'll have.
If they refuse, take it to an independent shop and have them unlock it. Order the CLB from Corvettes of Houston and have them install it while they're in there.
Then decide if you want to take the dealer to small claims court.
Good luck.
They may have a point. You'll have to read the fine print on the policy.
If it's currently locked, you'll have to tow it. So who do you tow it to?
Call the dealer who did the work and tell them they're responsible as they never properly fixed it. With the state of things at GM, I don't know what success you'll have.
If they refuse, take it to an independent shop and have them unlock it. Order the CLB from Corvettes of Houston and have them install it while they're in there.
Then decide if you want to take the dealer to small claims court.
Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 605
Likes: 11
From: Killarny MB
The CLB from COH comes with a harness that uses your cigarette lighter to unlock the steering wheel. Purchase the CLB from COH and either tow the car home and install it yourself, or hand it to the dealer and have them install the CLB. It should only take roughly half an hour to install.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,112
Likes: 668
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
my father is having a problem with his c5. we all know the great column lock situation. well it has warranty and they have replaced the harness twice and keeps having the same problem. now they want to replace the column lock and the warranty doesnt want to cover it because it was an existing problem! wtf no crap! it was a problem when it rolled out of the factory! so now i can even get them to unlock the car so i could even get it back home and buy a clb..... what do i do o great cf what do i do?!?!?! thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
I just experienced this last week.
My wife had the Vette, got in after work and the steering column was locked up big time. I had to tow it to a dealer. There are two recalls out, one on reprogram for a MN6 and another for replacing the column lock ring. $500 later, I got the car back.
However, on Sunday I got the dreaded "remove key for 10 secounds" error in the DIC. Needless to say, I ordered the CLB.
See the C5 Tech section for a complete write up. Also, here are some links that may be helpful.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ight=k+harness
Good luck!
My wife had the Vette, got in after work and the steering column was locked up big time. I had to tow it to a dealer. There are two recalls out, one on reprogram for a MN6 and another for replacing the column lock ring. $500 later, I got the car back.
However, on Sunday I got the dreaded "remove key for 10 secounds" error in the DIC. Needless to say, I ordered the CLB.
See the C5 Tech section for a complete write up. Also, here are some links that may be helpful.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ight=k+harness
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 1
From: Beyonce > Taylor Swift - Welcome to the good life!
St. Jude Donor '07
Roll up there and disconnect the wires going to the Column Lock. Leave it unplugged, and disconnect the battery for about 10 minutes. Re-connect it and plug in the harness. It SHOULD unlock, and you can drive it home. Don't stall out or turn the car off, or you'll have to start again. Then order your CLB and plug it right up. Good to go 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
I had the same problem and had the dealer install the CLB for me.. they charged the nominal hourly rate.. (figured why not since the car was already there.. ).. its not hard to do yourself though..
anyways GM dealerships have and will install it..
anyways GM dealerships have and will install it..
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,936
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver B.C.
Not necessarliy at least in canada...My car "column locked" while something else was being fixed at the dealers..the only CL bypass was in Ontario...the dealer did a temporary fix that failed just before a planned trip to the Edmonton Indy...fortunately another vette owner had the bypass at the dealer for his car but as he wasn't planning on driving his car immeddiatly he let the dealer install his bypass in my car...as soon as I can find a tuner with the right equipment I'm haviing the CL cutoff raised to 255MPH. End of problem
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
I'm not too sure but I think removing the fuse (24 I believe) while the car is on will remove the error code, it did for me. This happened after I got the car services and the plate was removed b/c my steering wheel wasn't locked. If you had your car serviced and the dealer did it right, I think they were suppose to remove the locking plate. That's atleast what they did to mine when I took mine in. Then like everyone else says, install the CLB.
I agree with you there, they should atleast unlock the car for you but I would try removing that fuse yourself and install the CLB. Granted if your steering wheel is locked I don't think removing the fuse will help unlocking the steering wheel.
I agree with you there, they should atleast unlock the car for you but I would try removing that fuse yourself and install the CLB. Granted if your steering wheel is locked I don't think removing the fuse will help unlocking the steering wheel.
