Called GM to ask about recalls on the 97 we bought. The only info they gave me was "there are no open recalls" and confirmed that it was a 1997 torch red. How else can we find out if this recall was done? Thanks.

 

Look for a Recall Decal in your engine bay. I have one on the hinges of the hood. They usually have a Recall number on them.

 

Just looked. No decals. Thank you.

 

a carfax should give you a complete record of service under warranty by a dealer on your car. it shoulld show that the column lock recall was performed if it was.

 

Keep in mind your model may not have required it as the copy of the recall notice I have states certain VIN sequences that are involved.

Once again, another dealer that seems to have let one of us down by not providing that information. I mean if I found this document on the internet, surely they have a copy in their service department!

Email me at mike@oakrb.com and I will send you the PDF of the recall bulletin if you like.

Mike

 

I dont know exactly if a recall was ever done. I think it was. But there is a TSB, tech service B, about the lock. With my 2004 I had to argue with the dealer but finally I won and they took out the lock. Ask your dealer to call tech service and if you have to insist on them calling the regional service manager. You can get them to fix this problem if you worry them enough.... Good Luck....

 

All 97's were affected by the recall. Check out the thread that is posted in C5 Tech - here's a link to it....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...gm-merged.html

One way you can tell if you're safe is if the steering wheel can be turned without the key in the ignition. If it is locked, you still have a column lock and could experience a problem.

 

Just ran down to the basement. I CAN turn the steering wheel without the key in the ignition. Thanks!! I'm liking this forum.

 

I wish determining what column lock service has been done to a car were as simple at turning the wheel with no key in the ignition.

Your car is a 97 but is it an automatic or manual? That makes a difference on what has been done by GM. Also even if your car has had the GM Column Lock service that does NOT mean that you won't get left stranded by the fuel shutoff.

You can determine what GM has done by getting a copy of the GM VIS from a dealer. It should be free. You can also get one by sending an email with your VIN to Dennis at Fichtner Chevrolet. He is a forum sponsor and has provided this document about the car for many. His email is:

dfichtner@fichtnerchevrolet.com

When you get the report look in the section labeled CLAIM HISTORY and look for a reference to 04006 and the words REPROGRAM. There may be other references but 04006 is the GM Column Lock recall forced by NHTSA. There were many different vaiations of it and the date the work was performed is helpful in determining which variation was done to the car.

The "reprogram" refers to the changing of the fuel shutoff speed to 2mph. This occurs when the Body Control Module (BCM) thinks the column is locked and you are attempting to drive the car. Column does not have to be physically locked when this occurs, only the BCM being in a state that it thinks the column is locked causes the fuel to be shutoff making the car undriveable.

Since you are obviously not the first owner of the car it is anyones guess as to what has been done to the column locking system by previous owners that may have experienced problems and were trying to get around them.

Here is a link to a writeup about that very issue that was posted on the forum a while back:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...icky-this.html

Here is another thread by the same author but I would read only the first page as the entire thread is VERY long and the important info is on page 1 of the thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html

Interesting info that you may want to read!!!

Post whether your car is an auto or manual and I will PM you some info to read about the column lock issues that can occur and the options you have.

 

You should be able to take your VIN to a local Chevy dealer and have them run a service history for you. It will tell you if a recall had been performed for the column lock.

 

This is the way to go,,,as even if you have the factory recall fixes,,you are not out of the woods yet!!!The factory fix is almost a sure fire problem in the future!! their failures are a common source of posting here!!! Get a CLB to supplement the factory fix and you'll be good to go,,,worry free!!!

 

It's an automatic. I'll go to the Chevy dealer and get the service history. Thanks for the links and threads 8vette7. We'll read those also. I think we are the 4th owners. Most of the time the good ole boys at the dealerships don't think I know what I'm talking about because I'm a "girl". Is the CLB a do it yourself project?

 

CLB is an easy D.I.Y. project - shouldn't take more than about 30 mins with a couple of simple handtools. But, you might already have one.

 

if they wheel turns with the key off the CLB has alredy been installed.

 

The steering wheel turns without the key. Thanks. Hubby says for me to just get in and drive and stop worrying. I even tried calling the first owner. His info was in the owners manual.

 

NOT correct for an automatic. The automatics (1997 - 2000) had the lock ring replaced with a Cam Orientation plate which is basically a lock ring without the holes for the lock pin. They cannot just remove the lock plate because it serves at least 3 functional purposes other than the lock ring. 1) It has the horn ring contacts. 2) It provices the turn signal cancellation function and 3) there are several components in the column that are stacked on top of the lock ring so it also provides the proper spacing for components on the column.

To the O.P. Yes the CLB is a pretty easy DIY install. I'll send you some links and other info about doing that and some things to look for ( GM K Harness) that need to be disconnected as a part of the CLB install in a PM shortly.