Locked steering wheel
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 53
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From: peoria Illinois
Locked steering wheel
HELP HELP 1998 Corvette Conv Low miles never set out in rain etc. Jumped into the car to go out. Car started and was running then on the cluster it said turn key off for 10 seconds. I did it. Then the column Wheel went to the locked position. No horn sounds nothing seems to be wrong. Disconnected the batt tried everything I could think of. { Nothing} Motor runs but column is locked not to move. Keeps saying that the column needs serviced. I do get the take the key out for 10 sec also. Battery is very good and on the charger now to eliminate that problem. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks 309-472-2001
Last edited by corvettebuddy; Feb 13, 2010 at 06:55 PM. Reason: Need help
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 371
Likes: 1
From: Brewton AL
You have been bitten by the infamous column lock problem on these cars. Check for blown fuses in the fuse panel under the floor toe board on passenger side. Pull the carpet back from under the dash and you will see the fuse panel. I had a fuse blow in there on my C5 once and, if I remember correctly, it was a 10a fuse in position 25.
Sometimes the steering column can be made to unlock by turning the key on and shaking the steering wheel back and forth left and right violently. That may break loose the locking mechanism so it will unlock.
When you do get it working again, it would be a good idea to install the column lock bypass unit to do away with that problem.
There was a recall on these cars also that did away with the locking steering column. You might see about getting that done.
Sometimes the steering column can be made to unlock by turning the key on and shaking the steering wheel back and forth left and right violently. That may break loose the locking mechanism so it will unlock.
When you do get it working again, it would be a good idea to install the column lock bypass unit to do away with that problem.
There was a recall on these cars also that did away with the locking steering column. You might see about getting that done.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
You have been bitten by the infamous column lock problem on these cars. Check for blown fuses in the fuse panel under the floor toe board on passenger side. Pull the carpet back from under the dash and you will see the fuse panel. I had a fuse blow in there on my C5 once and, if I remember correctly, it was a 10a fuse in position 25.
Sometimes the steering column can be made to unlock by turning the key on and shaking the steering wheel back and forth left and right violently. That may break loose the locking mechanism so it will unlock.
When you do get it working again, it would be a good idea to install the column lock bypass unit to do away with that problem.
There was a recall on these cars also that did away with the locking steering column. You might see about getting that done.
Sometimes the steering column can be made to unlock by turning the key on and shaking the steering wheel back and forth left and right violently. That may break loose the locking mechanism so it will unlock.
When you do get it working again, it would be a good idea to install the column lock bypass unit to do away with that problem.
There was a recall on these cars also that did away with the locking steering column. You might see about getting that done.
A CLB was the very first mod I did when I got my 98
Last edited by Carcass; Feb 13, 2010 at 08:31 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
Likes: 1,470
From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Order a Column Lock Bypass kit and install it immediately. In the kit you will get what's needed to first unlock the column... THEN install the CLB.
If you've had the GM fix done by your dealer then you must have a manual trans car. The GM fix is NO guarantee in manuals.
GET the CLB ASAP
If you've had the GM fix done by your dealer then you must have a manual trans car. The GM fix is NO guarantee in manuals.
GET the CLB ASAP
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 986
Likes: 4
From: Galaxy Traveler
Corvette Buddy,
Turn off and remove key for 10 seconds or more. Then turn the wheel hard to the right while turning the key on. It should pop loose. After that remember to have the wheels straight when you turn the ignition off.
Turn off and remove key for 10 seconds or more. Then turn the wheel hard to the right while turning the key on. It should pop loose. After that remember to have the wheels straight when you turn the ignition off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
If by any chance your car HAS NOT been to the dealer,,,by all means,,,,DO NOT TAKE IT THERE!!!!! For peace of mind install a CLB yourself!! If it has the factory fix,,get the factory fix "K-harness" WILL FAIL,,,it is a case of WHEN it will fail,,,not if it will fail. One guarantee you can depend on,,,the K-harness will fail,,,causing this very problem. The fact that your column DID lock would indicate that #1 I may not have had the recall fix or #2 if it did it may have been an early recall before they removes the locking pin that became part of subsequent fixes along with the programmed fuel shut off. The later fixes CREATED more problems than they fixed with the computer reprogram.My two cents, Me,,,I removed the K-harness,,installed a CLB and have been confidently motoring for a year and a half and about 15,000 miles !!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 53
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From: peoria Illinois
Thanks for the advice. I will install the cbl when I get the column to unlock. Now its locked and there is nothing that I have done so far to correct it but I will keep trying Thanks
