ripped off?
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Joined: Mar 2002
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ripped off?
Three or four years ago my son took his 2000 vette to a dealership and had the steering column lock problem fixed. They did it free and it rarely locked after that. Yesterday it locked again and and I called a different dealership, near where my son now lives. They said they would fix it but they wouldn't tow it in. I would have to do that. I arranged for the tow and then the dealer informed me that it was going to cost over $500 for the repair. It was now stranded at THEIR location so I had no choice. We paid the bill. I assumed they were talking about fixing it free. Maybe I should have been more specific. Am I the first one to have to actually PAY for this? There's a lot of people talking about getting it done free.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln California
I had a 2001 with the same problem. If you restart your car and try to drive away a least 6 times, you will overide the computer, and you can drive off. I fought with GM for 2 years and I finally gave up and sold the car to the dealer that could'nt fix it. I think there are threads that can help you solve that problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
I bought my car (a used '98 A4) with the "K harness" installed. I got the lock/fuel cut-off warning. After I got it running I took it to the local dealer. Under the current GM directive they refuse to fix it for free. Talked to the division/area rep. He nixed the free fix as well. So I called GM Customer Service. I was told that their fixes are guaranteed to work. So I must be mistaken. I wouldn't let him off the hook so finally he gave me a work order authorization number that authorized a "free fix", but only if I took it to the dealer that install the "K harness".
It's a long boat trip and a drive from Honolulu to Houston. Bought a CLB.
It's a long boat trip and a drive from Honolulu to Houston. Bought a CLB.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Roselle IL
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
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.
I hope Ed fixed the 2mph thing when he tuned my car also. I have the recall done to my car. the wheel moves freely with the key out of the ignition, but I still hear the buzzing sound when I turn the ignition on and off. I haven't gotten a CLB yet since I haven't had the slightest problem with it yet. all the work was done by the PO and I've had the car 2.75 years.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
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Yeah you got hosed and the problem is not really fixed. Others have made the same mistake of using a dealer. 
A CLB for 49.00 would have been the better route as that is the only fix.
A CLB for 49.00 would have been the better route as that is the only fix.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Roselle IL
yes, my understanding is that once the K harness is installed its no longer a matter of the column locking but the K harness failing and making the BCM think that the column is locked when it isn't, as a result you have free fully functional steering column but since the BCM thinks you can't steer it will kill fuel to the engine when you go over 2 MPH.
I hope Ed fixed the 2mph thing when he tuned my car also. I have the recall done to my car. the wheel moves freely with the key out of the ignition, but I still hear the buzzing sound when I turn the ignition on and off. I haven't gotten a CLB yet since I haven't had the slightest problem with it yet. all the work was done by the PO and I've had the car 2.75 years.
I hope Ed fixed the 2mph thing when he tuned my car also. I have the recall done to my car. the wheel moves freely with the key out of the ignition, but I still hear the buzzing sound when I turn the ignition on and off. I haven't gotten a CLB yet since I haven't had the slightest problem with it yet. all the work was done by the PO and I've had the car 2.75 years.
Ya, I hear the buzzing sound too, my understanding is its the lock pin trying to engage / dis-engage.
I didn’t bother with the CLB either since I changed the fuel cut off.
The worse that could happen now is the “K” harness will fail me and I would get a “code” in the DIC, but at least the car will not die on me.
I would make sure the fuel cut off was done though.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
Fuel Shutoff
I also get the buzzing sound when key is removed. Wheel will not lock when turned from lock to lock.
How do I tell if the fuel shutoff issue has been addressed without the aid of a "programer" or "tuner"?
Have never gotten the "remove key - wait 10 secs".
How do I tell if the fuel shutoff issue has been addressed without the aid of a "programer" or "tuner"?
Have never gotten the "remove key - wait 10 secs".
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
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.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Three or four years ago my son took his 2000 vette to a dealership and had the steering column lock problem fixed. They did it free and it rarely locked after that. Yesterday it locked again and and I called a different dealership, near where my son now lives. They said they would fix it but they wouldn't tow it in. I would have to do that. I arranged for the tow and then the dealer informed me that it was going to cost over $500 for the repair. It was now stranded at THEIR location so I had no choice. We paid the bill. I assumed they were talking about fixing it free. Maybe I should have been more specific. Am I the first one to have to actually PAY for this? There's a lot of people talking about getting it done free.
I would like to know specifically what they did to justify $500
If a shop rate is $80 and maybe $100 for parts you're still talking 5 hours labor.
FOR WHAT????
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: Stratford CT
If you have the GM fix and do not have a CLB it is just a matter of time until you get the error messages and have the car stall at 2mph when you try to drive it. One of the pieces of the GM Column Lock recall service requires the PCM to have the fuel shutoff set to 2mph. Unless you know the car has been to a tuner to reset the speed to a high number like 255, it is set to 2mph. Install a CLB and you won't need to worry about the fuel shutoff speed. Or find a tuner with HP Tuners or EFI Live tuning software and have the fuel shutoff speed set to a high number. Those two tuning tools are the ONLY ones that can reset the speed individually. The tuner solution is generally about twice the cost of a CLB. CLB is about $50 plus shipping.
Its frustrating to see these threads where people chance it. How many times do we read about the GM fix NOT working??? I've lost count. Buy the CLB already, it can, and most likely, WILL happen to you given a long enough time horizon.
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No, you're not the first. Get the column lock bypass, install it and forget about having to worry about the column locking again.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
The Collumn Lock Bypass (CLB) is the "ONLY SOLUTION" to PERMANENTLY FIX the problem.. If you don't do this you will have a 100% chance of another failure and More out of pocket expense plus towing charges.. I just went through this crap..$600 was the damage , which extended warranty took care of most.. The dealer replaced the lock motor or actuator and put in a new harness and removed the lock plate,, They fixed it and when I came to pick the car up it didn't make it out of the parking garage at the dealership.. The new motor failed!!!! Buy a CLB kit for $50.00 and take 15 minutes to install it.. Its an easy job.. Took me 15 minutes and there are instructions on this forum with pictures.. Its basically removing 4 screws to remove the bottom dash kick panel. Unplugging the column harness and plugging in the new harness, and removing the #25 fuse... Thats it... So easy a caveman could do it. The Dealership will not install a CLB because its an aftermarket part