Service column lock stranded
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans LA
Service column lock stranded
My 99 coupe has me stranded with the service column lock message and has actually locked the steering wheel. I have limited time to search the forum. Is there a way to clear the error and free up the wheel, or do I need to find a dealer? Thanks. Stranded glassman
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
First thing, check your battery.
Clear the codes, turn off and remove key. Rack the steering wheel back and forth against the stops a few times and when go to one side stop and hold it while inserting the key and turn it to the on position. Make sure your battery is up to par.
If you can watch this video:
Battery Video
Replace your battery with one that has at least 120RC.
Clear the codes, turn off and remove key. Rack the steering wheel back and forth against the stops a few times and when go to one side stop and hold it while inserting the key and turn it to the on position. Make sure your battery is up to par.
If you can watch this video:
Battery Video
Replace your battery with one that has at least 120RC.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
From the Sticky:
Q What is the symptom of failure?
A Your steering wheel will not unlock and the DIC will display an error message "Service Steering Column Lock". Your owner's manual will instruct you to have your vehicle towed to the nearest GM dealer for repair.
Q What exactly causes this failure?
A When you insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the ON position, the BCM (Body Control Module) sends a command to your Column Lock Motor to "unlock" and then checks a status line to ensure that the steering column is unlocked. If it gets the wrong status, it will display an error message as mentioned above. It can be caused by ECL (Electronic Column Lock) mechanism failure and occasionally by low battery voltage, which sometimes confuses the BCM.
Q Can anything be done to unlock the steering column once it has locked up?
A Sometimes; turn the ignition OFF and REMOVE the key. Shock your lock motor actuator assembly by jerking the steering wheel against the stops. Re-insert your key and try again. Also, if your battery voltage is low, charge your battery or replace it.
Q If my battery is discharged and I jump it to get the engine started, the alternator is now charging shouldn't the column unlock?
A NO; The whole unlock sequence occurs before you ever turn your key to start your engine. If the battery is too low, you will probably have trouble with your column lock. Several folks have replaced their battery and the column lock problem has never occurred since.
Q Does this problem affect both A4’s and MN6 vehicles?
A Yes; however if you have 2001 or newer A4 car, the ECL lock plate has been replaced.
Q What is the symptom of failure?
A Your steering wheel will not unlock and the DIC will display an error message "Service Steering Column Lock". Your owner's manual will instruct you to have your vehicle towed to the nearest GM dealer for repair.
Q What exactly causes this failure?
A When you insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the ON position, the BCM (Body Control Module) sends a command to your Column Lock Motor to "unlock" and then checks a status line to ensure that the steering column is unlocked. If it gets the wrong status, it will display an error message as mentioned above. It can be caused by ECL (Electronic Column Lock) mechanism failure and occasionally by low battery voltage, which sometimes confuses the BCM.
Q Can anything be done to unlock the steering column once it has locked up?
A Sometimes; turn the ignition OFF and REMOVE the key. Shock your lock motor actuator assembly by jerking the steering wheel against the stops. Re-insert your key and try again. Also, if your battery voltage is low, charge your battery or replace it.
Q If my battery is discharged and I jump it to get the engine started, the alternator is now charging shouldn't the column unlock?
A NO; The whole unlock sequence occurs before you ever turn your key to start your engine. If the battery is too low, you will probably have trouble with your column lock. Several folks have replaced their battery and the column lock problem has never occurred since.
Q Does this problem affect both A4’s and MN6 vehicles?
A Yes; however if you have 2001 or newer A4 car, the ECL lock plate has been replaced.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
Even if you get it to work again,a Column Lock Bypass might be something to think about-$50 is cheap insurance against this happening again
Corvettes of Houston and others carry them/half hour to install.
Corvettes of Houston and others carry them/half hour to install.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans LA
Thanks so much for the quick replys....because of my situation, I had the car towed to a Chevrolet dealership. I was thinking it needed to be corrected by a dealer. The car was not able to be driven, locked out and no acceleration. Is there a better / safer fix then to have a dealer correct the problem? Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Appleton WI
I just went through putting a CLB in, if you get that far, here is my thread which has links to just about anything you'd need to know.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...questions.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...questions.html
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,721
Likes: 4,629
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
From the Sticky:
Q What is the symptom of failure?
A Your steering wheel will not unlock and the DIC will display an error message "Service Steering Column Lock". Your owner's manual will instruct you to have your vehicle towed to the nearest GM dealer for repair.
Q What exactly causes this failure?
A When you insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the ON position, the BCM (Body Control Module) sends a command to your Column Lock Motor to "unlock" and then checks a status line to ensure that the steering column is unlocked. If it gets the wrong status, it will display an error message as mentioned above. It can be caused by ECL (Electronic Column Lock) mechanism failure and occasionally by low battery voltage, which sometimes confuses the BCM.
Q Can anything be done to unlock the steering column once it has locked up?
A Sometimes; turn the ignition OFF and REMOVE the key. Shock your lock motor actuator assembly by jerking the steering wheel against the stops. Re-insert your key and try again. Also, if your battery voltage is low, charge your battery or replace it.
Q If my battery is discharged and I jump it to get the engine started, the alternator is now charging shouldn't the column unlock?
A NO; The whole unlock sequence occurs before you ever turn your key to start your engine. If the battery is too low, you will probably have trouble with your column lock. Several folks have replaced their battery and the column lock problem has never occurred since.
Q Does this problem affect both A4’s and MN6 vehicles?
A Yes; however if you have 2001 or newer A4 car, the ECL lock plate has been replaced.
Q What is the symptom of failure?
A Your steering wheel will not unlock and the DIC will display an error message "Service Steering Column Lock". Your owner's manual will instruct you to have your vehicle towed to the nearest GM dealer for repair.
Q What exactly causes this failure?
A When you insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the ON position, the BCM (Body Control Module) sends a command to your Column Lock Motor to "unlock" and then checks a status line to ensure that the steering column is unlocked. If it gets the wrong status, it will display an error message as mentioned above. It can be caused by ECL (Electronic Column Lock) mechanism failure and occasionally by low battery voltage, which sometimes confuses the BCM.
Q Can anything be done to unlock the steering column once it has locked up?
A Sometimes; turn the ignition OFF and REMOVE the key. Shock your lock motor actuator assembly by jerking the steering wheel against the stops. Re-insert your key and try again. Also, if your battery voltage is low, charge your battery or replace it.
Q If my battery is discharged and I jump it to get the engine started, the alternator is now charging shouldn't the column unlock?
A NO; The whole unlock sequence occurs before you ever turn your key to start your engine. If the battery is too low, you will probably have trouble with your column lock. Several folks have replaced their battery and the column lock problem has never occurred since.
Q Does this problem affect both A4’s and MN6 vehicles?
A Yes; however if you have 2001 or newer A4 car, the ECL lock plate has been replaced.
I have posted this here many times:
Don't bring your car to a dealer, the dealer (GM) solution IS NOT reliable, or desirable.
Get the CLB kit and install it before your column locks up. Usually a weak battery will bring this on.
Here are some helpful links....
Installing a Column Lock Bypass:
http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
You can get a CLB from either of these vendors:
http://www.corvettesofhouston.com/pr...e9bf70207aef69
http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...d=220&pcid=156
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans LA
Thanks again for the responses. I typically search for related threads, but these circumstances had me stranded at a restaurant in Alabama with limited daylight and internet availability. Thanks again for the help. Glassman99
Last edited by GlassMan99; Mar 21, 2011 at 07:40 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson City Missouri
Had you read this forum BEFORE you had the column lock you would have seen that this is a common issue that over and over owners have been cautioned to install a CLB. It would have saved you a lot of money and grief. I hope others that have not installed one yet do it now before they lock up.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
From: Westchester NY
Its not as simple as just installing one tho, it matters if you had previous service recalls done and which ones. All I ever read is people saying to install one without knowing any background info.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Jefferson City Missouri
In my post above #13 I was speaking generally. In no way did I intend to imply that you just buy one and plug it in. There are lots of posts on this forum regarding proper installation that need to be followed. The best in my opinion are posted by 8VETTEZ who commented above. I personally followed his instructions and in spite of a battery failure and related problems recently I have experienced NO issues relating to the CL. Maybe I would not have had a problem anyway but I certainly experienced more peace of mind knowing I had a CLB installed.
