So I started my car the other day and I died right away displaying the message went a little something like this "Pull Key and wait 10 (or maybe it was 20) seconds." That was it. I did just like she said, and there appeared to be no other problems and started right back up.. When I started it that time, it was only sitting for about 30-60 seconds before it was previously on. Wierd, but does anyone have a clue as to what this may have been, because. Thanks

 

Mine did that a couple of times(pull key,wait ten seconds),seems like the resistor pellet on the key may not have made proper contact with the pickups in the ignition switch(this is my theory,anyway)

Cleaned the metal contacts on the key,and got a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol on it and cleaned the contacts in the switch,and it hasn't done it again since.(apx 4 months)

 

Order a Column Lock By-Pass module from say Corvettes of Houston, and replace your battery.

You battery is most likely on the way out and has a bad cell which has produced low voltage condition on the PCM bus. Thus creating a lock out condition created by step B of the CL recall notice. You'll probably have a harness that needs to be removed and the module (CLB) from CoH installed. Go to www.ls1howto.com and look on the right hand side for the illustrated instructions to install the column lock bypass module.

 

Yep that is a common message,,Pull key wait 10 seconds! There are a few things ranging from almost nothing to PAIN IN THE AZZ that can be the culprit. EASY,,how is your battery voltage and connections. poor contact and low voltage can cause a multitude of weird messages/codes. Easy,,take alcohol and rough cloth and clean the resistance pellets on your keys. poor key recognition can do this.NOW the at least minor pain in the azz. Didn't see year or tranny of your car,,so::All M6 ,97 to 04 and A4's through 00 all are subject to the column lock problems. Even if you have had the GM recall fixes(they actually make them worse IMO) This message is usually a prelude to a fix failure!If you have one of the included year/models I,d go through the above mentioned steps,,,and order an aftermarket CLB (column lock bypass). Takes about 20 min. to get to..then plug and play. There are many threads,some with links to instructions with pics. This is what I'd do!! Also add year/and tranny to your info,,helps when it comes to help/advise,,or at least include when posting a question!!

 

hm.. Good theory. I was worried that it might have been something mechanically related to the engine, or maybe even some sort of vapor lock since it was started so fast again.. Anyone else have the pellet problem or something related to this msg. T/U!

 

wow didn't see all those posts when I posted mine. Looks like we all posted right at the same time so sorry for that. BTW Its an 00' A4 with 63,000ish. Thanks for the info. How would I know if a previous owner added the infamous column lock device already or not?

 

Also the battery is less than a year old if that helps.

 

NO a battery can go (develop a bad cell) at any time. If it is an AC Delco Pro then it will be replaced for free, most others will have similar warranties. Most likely if you apply a load to it, it will fail.

Have you read the Recall Bulletin 04006C yet?

What sounds like has happened to yours (depending on whether or not you can turn your steering wheel when the key is removed) you have had at least the first two phases of the recall completed which replaced the k harness and reprograms the PCM which caused it to shut down. If you can move the steering after the key is removed then all three phases have been completed which also means your PCM plug was re-pinned. If not that's probably better, because you would only need to remove the harness and connect the bypass module.

Making some assumptions since you would need to verify your configuration.

Either way your A4 qualifies for the problem, don't you feel lucky If you had gotten an A4 '01 or later you would have escaped the problem!

 

Okay I can defintely look into getting the battery swapped. No I havent read the bulletin. And I'm pretty sure once I take the key out the column is locked for the most part. I think it may move a tad, but isnt that the way its supposed to be? I'm soO0o confused I feel like a lost puppy.

I just finished the infamous stalk multifunction switch and thought I had some time to chill out before another repair. Not to mention my horns been disconnected for a while because that was staying on all the time. ughhhhh C5!!!!!!

 

The wheel might be able to move a little. With the bypass, I can turn mine to full lock.

 

It's pretty straight forward. With the move of the key to the instrument panel, Chevy developed an electronic lock for the column.

The system consist of a column lock plate, a motorized actuator and an interface to the PCM.

With normal voltage to the PCM bus, when the key is inserted and turned to on the actuator is energized which backs out a set of pins in the column lock plate and then sends a signal to the PCM telling it that was successful.

When a low voltage condition occurs, the signal is not valid and thus tells the PCM the pin release was not successful. This caused an error message remove key wait 10 seconds... followed by service column lock.

At this point as from the factor the column would be locked because the actuator didn't release the pins.

The recall occurred in three phases basically chevy guessing at it. First step was to replace the 'k' harness. If the problem came back they performed step b of the recall which reprogrammed the PCM to add fuel cut off if the column lock issue occurs.

If the problem reoccurred again which it will as the problem was not fixed by these two steps they then removed the steering wheel removed the column lock plate and replaced it with one with no holes for the pins, and re-pinned to pin connectors on the PCM. This was suppose to fix it once and for all but guess what .... nope.

The only thing that works is an after market by-pass module that simply plugs in and tells the PCM the operations is always successful. Part of the procedure is to first insert the key, causing the actuator to retract the pins unlocking the steering then disconnecting the power cable to the actuator motor thus leaving it permanently in the retracted position. (No power no actuator.) With the module plugged in (see the instructions link I placed earlier) you'll remove a fuse wait a period of minutes to clear the code and re assemble the interior parts. Done fixed for good.

Oh with the module properly installed, remember the actuator had the power cable disconnected after it retracted so anytime the key is removed or installed it will never lock up.

 

I took similar advice a couple of years ago......got a new battery and a CLB......but I still get the Pull Key wait message about once a week

 

I also advice clearing the codes prior to starting the procedure. You might try clearing the DLC codes then pulling the two fuses for a couple minutes and replace. That should clear it up. If not you may have had all three parts of the recall done and it is coming from the re-pinned PCM connector. I used to know the signals of the pins off the top of my head but not any more.

 

Check your PM's.

 

Here's a link to the Recall Notice in PDF: http://www.wscc.ws/Clo%20Lock%20Recall.pdf

 

Search can be your friend on that message.