Column lock bypass...really a fix?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
Column lock bypass...really a fix?
alright, i've been wondering/asking around/searching this for a while and can't seem to find the answer. the column lock bypass seems to be what everyone goes for so they don't get stranded, as it disables the lock itself. my question is, what about the fuel shutoff? my car has the gm recall done(the first one at least) and from what i've found the fuel shuts off at 1-2mph if you get the dreaded message...unless i'm mistaken, if you have the bypass you could get the message and not have your wheel lock but your fuel would shut off as soon as you move. any help or guidance is appreciated as i would like to do something to prevent this before it's too late...thanks 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne FL
The CLB will not prevent the fuel shotoff from occuring if you get the "Pull key..." message. However, what the CLB will do is eliminate the chances of the computer throwing that error, and thus shutting off the fuel. I too had the recall performed several years ago, but then just recently got stranded at my house with the error message and fuel shutoff. I installed a CLB from Corvettes of Houston and it solved the problem immediately. I haven't had any issues since and don't expect to since the CLB immediately returns the 'unlock' signal to the computer.
It's definately worth the investment, just for the piece of mind. I was lucky I was at home when my system shut me down. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in a world of hurt.
It's definately worth the investment, just for the piece of mind. I was lucky I was at home when my system shut me down. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in a world of hurt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
The CLB will not prevent the fuel shotoff from occuring if you get the "Pull key..." message. However, what the CLB will do is eliminate the chances of the computer throwing that error, and thus shutting off the fuel. I too had the recall performed several years ago, but then just recently got stranded at my house with the error message and fuel shutoff. I installed a CLB from Corvettes of Houston and it solved the problem immediately. I haven't had any issues since and don't expect to since the CLB immediately returns the 'unlock' signal to the computer.
It's definately worth the investment, just for the piece of mind. I was lucky I was at home when my system shut me down. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in a world of hurt.
It's definately worth the investment, just for the piece of mind. I was lucky I was at home when my system shut me down. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in a world of hurt.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 427
From: Dunedin Florida
I have read many threads on the CLB in the forum yet one point of comtention seems to remain. I have an 01 A4 vert. Some threads say since its an A4 it doesnt need the CLB. Some threads say it does. Finally other threads are vague about it. I remain confused and dont even know how to check if my vette has the CLB or factory harness fix.
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
from the following stickey thread dated back to 2005
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html
For A4 cars only:
1997-2000 A4's
Install wire kit (Harness K), remove and discard lock plate, install the "cam orientation plate" where the lock plate previously resided. No PCM flash required.
2001-2004 A4's
No Change Required - they didn't install the Electric Column Lock (ECL) on those years, in the U.S., after experiencing so many problems.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html
For A4 cars only:
1997-2000 A4's
Install wire kit (Harness K), remove and discard lock plate, install the "cam orientation plate" where the lock plate previously resided. No PCM flash required.
2001-2004 A4's
No Change Required - they didn't install the Electric Column Lock (ECL) on those years, in the U.S., after experiencing so many problems.
I have read many threads on the CLB in the forum yet one point of comtention seems to remain. I have an 01 A4 vert. Some threads say since its an A4 it doesnt need the CLB. Some threads say it does. Finally other threads are vague about it. I remain confused and dont even know how to check if my vette has the CLB or factory harness fix.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
The CLB will not prevent the fuel shotoff from occuring if you get the "Pull key..." message. However, what the CLB will do is eliminate the chances of the computer throwing that error, and thus shutting off the fuel. I too had the recall performed several years ago, but then just recently got stranded at my house with the error message and fuel shutoff. I installed a CLB from Corvettes of Houston and it solved the problem immediately. I haven't had any issues since and don't expect to since the CLB immediately returns the 'unlock' signal to the computer.
It's definately worth the investment, just for the piece of mind. I was lucky I was at home when my system shut me down. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in a world of hurt.
It's definately worth the investment, just for the piece of mind. I was lucky I was at home when my system shut me down. Had I been anywhere else I would have been in a world of hurt.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,753
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
yeah, I was in denial since my car has 40k+ miles and I hadn't had any issues (owned for 1.5 yrs), UNTIL last week when the "Service Column Lock" message appeared. At advice of the forum I parked her, ordered the CLB from Corvettes of Houston and should be installing tomorrow....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Mililani Hawaii
Just for my own concern. I have an 02 mn6 that supposedly had the recall completed. So does that mean they only reprogramed the computer and not the harness? So if I buy the clb I just have to install it without having to jump anything?
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 91
Likes: 4
From: PA
My first mod was to install the CLB from Corvettes of Houston.
8VETTE7 has a very good explanation on how to check to see if you have the harness.
For peace of mind I may have the 1-2 mph tuned out eventually.
If you can hear the pin retract when you turn the key you don't have a CLB.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 247
Likes: 6
From: St. Charles IL
I'm really glad I ran into this thread because I was about to start this topic. I have a 98 vert, and I had the CLB installed about 4 years ago. Car was fine until last fall. I got the service colume lock message and sure enough after 2mph the car shut off, but the steering wheel worked fine. After spending $800 on some damn relay the dealer said it shouldn't happen again. Well, 2 months later same thing happened and the dealer said the the relay went bad. And today AGAIN I got the same message and now my car is at the dealer waiting or them to check it out tomorrow. This is getting frustrating as hell and I was hoping someone can figure out why this is happening. The first two times this happened I thought it had something to do with disconnecting the battery because I was doing some LED installs and other minor lighting upgrades. This time i made sure not to disconnect the batter as I installed some HID fog lights and as soon as I went to drive, the message appeared. I really hope someone out there knows whats going on and what can I do to fix this. Thanks.
Last edited by Extreme C5; Mar 17, 2010 at 06:04 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
I have been on here for a while,,and I know my memory isn't quit as sharp as it used to be,,but I don't remember anyone posting that it did not work!! I CAN say for sure that mine was in for TWO recall fixes before I bought it,,,,,and this I CAN say for sure,,,the damned thing went out and shut the fuel off!!! Flat bedded her home and installed the CLB,,,and not a hint of a problem since,,,,and that's been almost two years ago!!! I say,,,GET THE CLB!!! You wont regret it!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 755
Likes: 3
From: Houston Texas
i see, that's exactly what i was looking for. so the bypass does in fact help eliminate the error message all together. in this case i'll definitely be ordering the bypass. i just wanted to make sure before i spent the cash on it just to still have the chance of getting stranded with the fuel shut off. i know my column lock still functions, so i'm not sure if that means i have the fuel shutoff or not...looks like i'll be ordering unless somone tells me otherwise
Should I have the fuel cut off MPH reset to 200 MPH?
I will call Corvettes of H-town and see what they say.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
I'd driven the car about 15 minutes. Stopped for a quick errand got in, turned the key, Got the message I presume (Didn't see it). Tried to take off. Car stalled. Then I saw the message. I removed the key, re-inserted it. Tried to take off. Car stalled again. The CLB had been in the car about two years at this point. I took the key out again, wiped the pellet clean. Re-inserted key, no message. Car ran fine. That was about two years ago. Hasn't happened since.
I really don't know why it happened.
..rickko..
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma city Oklahoma
My car had the recall for the CL done only a few months before I ought it. About a month after I got it the I got the pull key thing and was stranded in a parking lot. The Dealer fixed it again but I did not want it to happen again so I bought and installed the CLB and have not had another problem. Before you have to see your car taken away on a flatbed, buy the CLB its worth it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I was one of the lucky few that was able to get my wheel unlocked not once but twice. This after only owning the car for a couple months. I bought the CLB the moment it first happened to me and the day after it happened a second time (all within 3 days), I'd received the CLB from Corvettes of Houston. Install took 30 minutes and worked like a charm. I wish I'd done it earlier so I wouldn't have wasted an hour of my day unlocking the damn thing.