Column lock issue and how I fixed it(?)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Column lock issue and how I fixed it(?)
Hey, so I finally ran the column lock issue the other day and for a minute I thought I was doomed. The DIC came up with "pull key wait 10 sec" or something to that degree, which I did in fact do and that did not fix the problem. The DIC then said "Service Column Lock".
OK, so that worried me. But being the software engineer I am, I figured the software on-board must be event triggered... So I turned the key off, on, off, on in rapid motion and heard the column lock disengage. The wheel turned and the problem didn't persist.
I drove the car all day, parking it over and over with no problems.
I can tell you when the car was parked in the garage, the wheels were straight, so that has nothing to do with the column lock issue. Also, there wasn't any sort of grade in the ground since I was in the garage. I didn't try to turn the steering wheel at all while it was parked.
So I'm not sure how to reproduce this problem yet.
OK, so that worried me. But being the software engineer I am, I figured the software on-board must be event triggered... So I turned the key off, on, off, on in rapid motion and heard the column lock disengage. The wheel turned and the problem didn't persist.
I drove the car all day, parking it over and over with no problems.
I can tell you when the car was parked in the garage, the wheels were straight, so that has nothing to do with the column lock issue. Also, there wasn't any sort of grade in the ground since I was in the garage. I didn't try to turn the steering wheel at all while it was parked.
So I'm not sure how to reproduce this problem yet.
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You escaped this time, but you did not really fix the issue. My advice - invest the $50 and get yourself a column lock bypass. Easy to install and you won't have to worry about getting stranded somewhere as a result of your column locking up.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Hurricane Alley
You could of also jerked the steering wheel back and forth real hard, start the car, and that would of unlocked it also. But again that is only a temporary fix.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Fredericton NB
100%Don't wait....I got burned...albeit in my own driveway....it's sad to see your vette on a flatbed
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
The point of the Column Lock is to make it harder to steel your car. Not to mention, I sometimes park on hills and I turn my wheels into the curb... Not having a locking column may hinder both of those. Correct?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Machesney Park Illinois
OK I have a question about the Column Lock. When I got my 01 C5 I had the vin checked by my Chevy dealer and he said that the lock was fixed under warranty. My car has a 6 speed and the steering wheel does not lock. Do I need to put the bypass in as a precaution???
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 3
From: Fredericton NB
OK I have a question about the Column Lock. When I got my 01 C5 I had the vin checked by my Chevy dealer and he said that the lock was fixed under warranty. My car has a 6 speed and the steering wheel does not lock. Do I need to put the bypass in as a precaution???
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 43
From: Scottsdale Az
OK I have a question about the Column Lock. When I got my 01 C5 I had the vin checked by my Chevy dealer and he said that the lock was fixed under warranty. My car has a 6 speed and the steering wheel does not lock. Do I need to put the bypass in as a precaution???
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Houston Texas
You have been warned.
Race Director
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From: P-town Baby! Virginia
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,135
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From: Joplin, MO, USA
Once the lockup has occured, and your car towed to the dealer, even GM has to "hit-and-miss" to get it unlocked, sometimes can take many phone calls to Detroit, and hours of waiting, so I'm sure they haven't even got it figured out yet.