Ok, so I've had the CLB for a few months now, and finally had some time to install it. Now, I will be specific. I did NOT have a column lock problem prior to the installation. Now that my CLB is installed, I seem to have the problem.

Lets answer some questions:

What year is the car: 1998

Manual or auto: A4

Did you test the battery: Yes, battery is tip top.

Exactly what is happening: Pulled the car in the garage, key off, pulled all panels. Followed directions exactly as provided. My kit included the cig lighter to disengage the column. It did. All functions seemed to work properly.

Turn car on. "pull key out wait 10 sec" bull****. Column is not locked, but error code is displayed. Pulled #25 + 29 as instructed if message appeared according to my instructions. Waited 10 minutes, re-installed. Code is gone.

Now re-assemble everything thinking problem is corrected. Turn car on to ensure after all items are returned. "Pull key wait 10 seconds, service column" bull****. Searched this forum or nearly an hour with no-one having the similar problem I am. I am ready to throw this away, as it seems to of not worked, and only created a problem.

Am I missing something?? Pretty pissed at this point...

 

I don't know...sounds like you did everything right.
I can only guess it is a defective CLB.

The good news is it will be easier the second time!

 

#1,,did you completely remove the factory fix components? My first try,,I didn't do that and plugged the CLB into the wrong part,,naturally it did not work !! If so,,#2 check the lid,,and find ALL the fuses that are related to the BCM,,,the ones I found were #'s 13,,23,,25,,and I read somewhere about # 29. I had SEVERAL unsuccessful attempts following the traditional fuse pulls. I pulled all these,,let it sit for about 15 min.,,and bingo!! Give this a try if you are sure it is properly installed!! Might just work!!!

 

It could,coincidentally,be dirty contacts on the key resistor pellet,or in the ignition switch,since you're not also getting the "Service Column Lock" message.
I can make the "pull key,etc" message come up on my 98MN6,if I insert the key,pull it out a bit,stick it back in,then start the car-not that that's going to help you at this point,but if the resistor contacts are intermittent,it'll do the same thing.
It's a stretch,but possibly worth cleaning the contacts...

 

Ran the car's vin at my work. The car has not seen and of the GM recalls. No K harness either. I will try to pull the neg batt terminal for 10 minutes, and await the results.

Hopefully this resolves the problem. I will report back. If the CLB still displays error codes, I will completely remove it and toss it in the trash.

 

the CLB is your friend

having it (correct) is a big deal so you don't get stranded ... call Corvettes of Houston, they can help you (probably)

Once you got it right, its ok FOREVER

 

Where source did you buy it from?

 

Well, I tried removing the fuses, and removing the battery terminal shortly after. It worked on the first try, but yet, when I took the key out, walked away and came back in 5 minutes, the code returned.

With that said, I decided to start all over again. Removed the CLB, re-installed the OEM plug, started the car. No pull key wait 10 seconds, etc.. Repeat the procedure as provided for the CLB and once again the service column lock appeared.

I removed the CLB immediately. I wasted my whole after noon in the garage pulling fuses and panels. I plugged in the OEM plug, and took it for a drive with no problems.

 

I'm pretty much where you were...haven't bought one but know I need to .

Now I'm wondering.

Where did you purchase it?

 

That is just totally strange!! You might want to do a search for some threads from a year or so ago,,I remember reading in some that for some years a small jumper wire was needed in the foot well fuse block. There MIGHT be some useful info!!One other suggestion,,might want to shoot Bill Curlee a PM,,,he knows his stuff,,and how to diagnose electrical gremlins. He is kind of a guru on this stuff!!! You never know,,could just be a defective piece. He can get you on the right track!!

 

Your story is exactly the same as mine.......right down to the car model. My fix was the same as yours.

 

Yep, been there done that got the Tee shirt!
Bottom line the early cars 97-98 don't like the CLB for some strange reason.
After I went through this fisaco I installed the factory K harness and the removed the lock plate.
Everything has been golden ever since 2003 when I went through this nightmare.

 

Well, I packed everything up back in the bag nice and tidy. I'm going to give the vendor a call tomorrow morning. I'm hoping they can help me. The vendor is Corvettes of Houston, and I hope they can resolve the issue. I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who has had this problem with the CLB.

One thing that does disturb me is that all the people who have had the same issues as me removed the CLB and have been fine. Why would a preventative item cause a problem? Why don't the other member who have had issues only with a CLB installed not gone to another vendor/get another item and have it installed?

I'm starting to wonder if its worth my time to try again, or if I should just chalk it up as a complete loss.

 

You got ahold of a defective part-

That doesn't change the fact that your column lock still has the potential to fail.
If you'd like to gamble that it won't,then leave it the way it is.
Since the column lock bypass is a 20 minute install,it seems like not such a big deal to try it again,but that's up to you.

It works fine on my '98,and if it ever fails,I can just remove it and plug the column lock back in,since it was working fine when I installed the bypass.
So I get to drive home,instead of riding home on a flat bed.
There's a chance you'll never need it,but there's also a chance that you will-

 

I had the same issue on my old coupe. The dealership could not bring up any types of recalls. I bought and installed the CLB and experienced the same issue. It turns out the K-harness was installed. It is very easy to miss. I believe the connector has two wires going into it and you can follow it up along the steering column to the black relay box where the dealer zip ties it, then past that is the original connector. That is where the CLB will be plugged into.

I have installed 5 CLBs since 2005, all on different cars and they were all from COH. Never have had an issue. Hopefully this helps. GL

 

My CLB from COH worked on my 1998 MN6 C5 (with no recalls). I have heard that some early year C5's don't "like" it. Hope you got a defective CLB.

 

Im about to install the CLB on my 2004 Z06, will this have the K harness installed and if so will it need to be removed, sorry I am now confused.

 

kyle dont get rid of it just yet.. lets try it on my car and see if i get the codes.. If i dont ill just buy it off you. Since the Z06's are the ones that really need it.

 

Thanks 8Vette7 for the info I will be installing the CLB this weekend, will let you know how I get on

 

No. Contact them and tell them Houston, We have a problem! They will help you make it right.