ripped off?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 4
Can't believe this subject still comes up. There is so much written on column lock and how it works, when it fails and most important how to fix it permanently. Yet there are still people that will argue about the GM fix. Best one is when someone writes they never had a problem, guess what the ads are stacked against you. As the car gets older the risk goes up and it will happen sooner or later. Instead of ranting about it, read up on the subject then install CLB. It's that simple, $50 later and it's solved forever. And all of you that stated they can hear buzzing when inserting key into ignition you are in risk of getting stranded. If you chose to ignore good advice many of members made then you deserve to be taken to the cleaner by the dealer. CLB works and all the guys who spent time and wrote posts with pictures did not do it because they have vested interest in the product. I understand the OP got tricked by towing to a stealer and at that point they had him but for the rest of you still on the road get it dealt with before you find yourself in same position, GM fix has proven to be unreliable so don't think you will not have a problem because it was done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I CAN believe it keeps coming up. Lets face it, we're all VERY angry at GM for ignoring this problem on a $50,000 car. I still don't understand why there's no class action law suit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
On an auto car that's not such a big deal. $50 and you're set. But with manuals, the CLB leaves the car without one of it's theft deterrent systems. Now it'd be even easier to steal my car. I think that's unacceptable really. I installed the CLB because I'm forced to. But the cost of a fix being $50 isn't the real cost. We're paying $50 for a band-aid or work-around. Not the fix.
GM says it'd be too expensive to fix. I'd like to know what their fix is.
GM says it'd be too expensive to fix. I'd like to know what their fix is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 197
From: Arizona
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
On an auto car that's not such a big deal. $50 and you're set. But with manuals, the CLB leaves the car without one of it's theft deterrent systems. Now it'd be even easier to steal my car. I think that's unacceptable really. I installed the CLB because I'm forced to. But the cost of a fix being $50 isn't the real cost. We're paying $50 for a band-aid or work-around. Not the fix.
GM says it'd be too expensive to fix. I'd like to know what their fix is.
GM says it'd be too expensive to fix. I'd like to know what their fix is.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
I think thieves already anticipate having to break the steering column lock before stealing a car... Its just one less thing to tear up when you have the CLB done.... Then again a thief does not know if you have a CLB and would probably bust up the steering column anyway
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
From: Providence ri
Hp tuners / efi live 2mph fuel shut off clb
I live in Rhode Island.. Does anyone know where I could go to have the fuel shut off increased so it doesnt shut off at 2mph.. or would someone with tuning software consider renting it to me to fix my problem ?
thanks
AndrewMonda@gmail.com
thanks
AndrewMonda@gmail.com
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
How do ya know
Hi. I bought a used 01 Z06. never had the lock problem(Yet)
Is there a way to tell if your car already has the Mod to fix the problem? would hate to be 100 miles from anywhere and have this happen..
Thanks
Dale M
Is there a way to tell if your car already has the Mod to fix the problem? would hate to be 100 miles from anywhere and have this happen..
Thanks
Dale M
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
I’m a bit confused, if the dealer had done the “fix” a plate should have been installed to prevent the lock pin to engage, hence preventing the steering wheel to lock.
Easy way to check that is to see if you can move the steering wheel with the keys out of the ignition.
I too had the dealer do the “recall” on my 98 A-4, they indeed put a plate on so the lock pin would not engage and put the “K” harness on.
Also the dealer was kind enough to add the fuel cut off and set it to 2 mph. I used a HP Tuner Suite to change that to 250 mph.
Easy way to check that is to see if you can move the steering wheel with the keys out of the ignition.
I too had the dealer do the “recall” on my 98 A-4, they indeed put a plate on so the lock pin would not engage and put the “K” harness on.
Also the dealer was kind enough to add the fuel cut off and set it to 2 mph. I used a HP Tuner Suite to change that to 250 mph.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Simi Valley CA
While we are on the subject of the CLB . . . I'd like to ask a question. I have a 98 A4 coupe. Have gone through most of the corvette problems that GM ignores, like the gas gauge problem, leaking battery, rocking seats, pulsating brake, chirpng belt, etc. The steering wheel lock up is just another thing waiting to happen. I have never had the steering wheel lock up problem. But, the dealer did the recall fix when it was in the shop for another problem. My question is . . . does the dealer fix need to reversed before installing the CLB or can you just add the CLB as is? Seems like I read somewhere that the dealer fix should be removed before installing the CLB.
