Column Lock...
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Vancouver British Columbia
Column Lock...
Just how common is the dreaded Column Lock problem. Does anyone know the percentage of C5 owners that have experienced this issue or are we seeing a very small sample on this Forum but in fact the vast majority will have had it.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Lawton OK
This subject has been beaten to death on this site - used to be a section on it in the top part of General or Tech & Perf forums - you can probably search it and find it - may be under Ultimate DIYs - someone can probably chime in on this to give you the link.
I have a 1999 coupe I purchased in 2007 with 54K miles on it. It has happened to me 2 times - once in the fall of 2008 and again in the fall of 2011. Seems to happen when the battery is low, at least for my Column Locks it was that. Both times I was either moving or going TDY so had to have the Stealership fix it. First time I had to watch in horror as they dragged it onto a flatbed (wheels were locked at about 30 degrees left) and it cost $900 as they told me it fried a relay and some wiring. Second time it was $700...same story from the dealership. I was appalled that it could happen again if they fixed it!! I was told by the dealership the harness/cable fix for my car was done in 2001.
From my research, GMs fix was to install a wiring harness cable that would shut the fuel pump off at 2 mph if the Column Lock occurred. In my case I could drive around in a circle but no faster than 2mph :-) I would have troubleshot & fixed it myself but couldn't as timing was critical (moving & TDY). A good trustworthy mechanic/dealership is hard to find these days and as my 'ol man always said "if you want it done right ya gotta do it yourself". (I say that because the first time they did not re-assemble my dash correctly, gouged my knee bolster with a screwdriver and my CD player did not work but they could not find the problem - I found out through this site later that if you disconnect the battery, you have to let the 12 CD changer cycle through all 12 CDs with the car ON before you start the car - shouldn't the dealership know this?? The second time - different dealership, they told me my radio would not come on after they fixed the column lock failure and charged me $100 on top of the Column Lock failure for troubleshooting it - they told me the radio had a short in it and was no longer available so they could not fix it - I got it back and troubleshot it myself - the antenna cable had come out of the socket (I will let you draw your own conclusion on how that happened since they have to work in that area when they fix the column lock) and evidently provides a ground for the radio - worked fine after I reconnected it :-) there was no friggin' short in the radio!) My intention is not to knock dealerships because they did fix the column lock problem both times but at a premium cost and both times created addition problems so my experience with them is 0 for 2 in the satisfaction department.
This site is a wealth of information and there are many people on this site that will help you if you ask or just do a search on the subject. There is a $89 bypass harness cable you can purchase (do a search on this site or Google it) and a DIY thread on this site (I think) for the install. Only problem is your steering wheel will not lock as the solenoid that drives the locking plate is bypassed. Bill Curlee is one of the electrical experts on this site - you can ask him for more detail on the theory. I believe the problem only occurs in '97 thru 2001 vettes and was fixed in 2002 and up (not sure on the years - someone please correct if I am wrong) So just avoid buying these year vettes or install the bypass kit (unless you have an extra grand you can spare to fix it at any random time :-)) Hope this helps...
I have a 1999 coupe I purchased in 2007 with 54K miles on it. It has happened to me 2 times - once in the fall of 2008 and again in the fall of 2011. Seems to happen when the battery is low, at least for my Column Locks it was that. Both times I was either moving or going TDY so had to have the Stealership fix it. First time I had to watch in horror as they dragged it onto a flatbed (wheels were locked at about 30 degrees left) and it cost $900 as they told me it fried a relay and some wiring. Second time it was $700...same story from the dealership. I was appalled that it could happen again if they fixed it!! I was told by the dealership the harness/cable fix for my car was done in 2001.
From my research, GMs fix was to install a wiring harness cable that would shut the fuel pump off at 2 mph if the Column Lock occurred. In my case I could drive around in a circle but no faster than 2mph :-) I would have troubleshot & fixed it myself but couldn't as timing was critical (moving & TDY). A good trustworthy mechanic/dealership is hard to find these days and as my 'ol man always said "if you want it done right ya gotta do it yourself". (I say that because the first time they did not re-assemble my dash correctly, gouged my knee bolster with a screwdriver and my CD player did not work but they could not find the problem - I found out through this site later that if you disconnect the battery, you have to let the 12 CD changer cycle through all 12 CDs with the car ON before you start the car - shouldn't the dealership know this?? The second time - different dealership, they told me my radio would not come on after they fixed the column lock failure and charged me $100 on top of the Column Lock failure for troubleshooting it - they told me the radio had a short in it and was no longer available so they could not fix it - I got it back and troubleshot it myself - the antenna cable had come out of the socket (I will let you draw your own conclusion on how that happened since they have to work in that area when they fix the column lock) and evidently provides a ground for the radio - worked fine after I reconnected it :-) there was no friggin' short in the radio!) My intention is not to knock dealerships because they did fix the column lock problem both times but at a premium cost and both times created addition problems so my experience with them is 0 for 2 in the satisfaction department.
This site is a wealth of information and there are many people on this site that will help you if you ask or just do a search on the subject. There is a $89 bypass harness cable you can purchase (do a search on this site or Google it) and a DIY thread on this site (I think) for the install. Only problem is your steering wheel will not lock as the solenoid that drives the locking plate is bypassed. Bill Curlee is one of the electrical experts on this site - you can ask him for more detail on the theory. I believe the problem only occurs in '97 thru 2001 vettes and was fixed in 2002 and up (not sure on the years - someone please correct if I am wrong) So just avoid buying these year vettes or install the bypass kit (unless you have an extra grand you can spare to fix it at any random time :-)) Hope this helps...
Last edited by TinyTimm; Feb 26, 2012 at 06:16 AM. Reason: misspelling and additions
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I've never had it happen on any of my two C5s that it could have been a problem on ('99 and '00 - my '03 A4 was not subject to this issue), but there have been enough members here reporting problems that why take a chance. There is always a possibility of it occurring if you are still running the stock setup on your car. Best preventative measure you can take is get a column lock bypass for your car - available from such vendors as Thunder Racing or Corvettes of Houston. For $50 or so, it's a great peace of mind. I installed one my two previous cars just so I wouldn't be stranded somewhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,434
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From: CT
How would one go about collecting the information to determine that percentage?
If you try to use the number of people that complain about it here on the Forum, what percentage of the C5 owners is that? Certainly you can't get that number from GM. They perhaps have the totals of cars that they had to repair at their cost but most of that would be the forced NHTSA recall which includes all 1997 - 2000 cars manufactured (Column lock can strike any early car). All the manual transmission cars from 2001 through those manufactured prior to Feb 1, 2004 could experience the problem and were included in the recall. Those manufactured after about Feb. 1, 2004 had the service done at the factory and hence were not part of the recall. But GM stopped repairing any car (at their cost) that experienced a column lock symptom after March of 2008 if the NHTSA recall service had been done to the car so they don't have complete records anyway. However, GM is unlikely to just hand out those numbers that they have.
As most are aware, the GM solution is NOT a permanent repair. Low battery voltage can cause the symptoms to reappear on cars that have the GM recall service.
Best bet to avoid the problem is insure that the battery stays charged by using a tender device whenever the car is not being driven. That doesn't guarantee you will not experience the column lock symptoms but it would greatly increase the chances of avoiding them since low battery voltage is the most commom cause of the problem appearing. The aftermarket CLB or the more recent LMC5 further reduce the chances of expreiencing the column locking but you can still experience the fuel shutoff unless you have that shutoff speed reprogrammed to a large number.
If you try to use the number of people that complain about it here on the Forum, what percentage of the C5 owners is that? Certainly you can't get that number from GM. They perhaps have the totals of cars that they had to repair at their cost but most of that would be the forced NHTSA recall which includes all 1997 - 2000 cars manufactured (Column lock can strike any early car). All the manual transmission cars from 2001 through those manufactured prior to Feb 1, 2004 could experience the problem and were included in the recall. Those manufactured after about Feb. 1, 2004 had the service done at the factory and hence were not part of the recall. But GM stopped repairing any car (at their cost) that experienced a column lock symptom after March of 2008 if the NHTSA recall service had been done to the car so they don't have complete records anyway. However, GM is unlikely to just hand out those numbers that they have.
As most are aware, the GM solution is NOT a permanent repair. Low battery voltage can cause the symptoms to reappear on cars that have the GM recall service.
Best bet to avoid the problem is insure that the battery stays charged by using a tender device whenever the car is not being driven. That doesn't guarantee you will not experience the column lock symptoms but it would greatly increase the chances of avoiding them since low battery voltage is the most commom cause of the problem appearing. The aftermarket CLB or the more recent LMC5 further reduce the chances of expreiencing the column locking but you can still experience the fuel shutoff unless you have that shutoff speed reprogrammed to a large number.
Just about sums it up
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 564
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From: Vancouver British Columbia
How would one go about collecting the information to determine that percentage?
If you try to use the number of people that complain about it here on the Forum, what percentage of the C5 owners is that? Certainly you can't get that number from GM. They perhaps have the totals of cars that they had to repair at their cost but most of that would be the forced NHTSA recall which includes all 1997 - 2000 cars manufactured (Column lock can strike any early car). All the manual transmission cars from 2001 through those manufactured prior to Feb 1, 2004 could experience the problem and were included in the recall. Those manufactured after about Feb. 1, 2004 had the service done at the factory and hence were not part of the recall. But GM stopped repairing any car (at their cost) that experienced a column lock symptom after March of 2008 if the NHTSA recall service had been done to the car so they don't have complete records anyway. However, GM is unlikely to just hand out those numbers that they have.
As most are aware, the GM solution is NOT a permanent repair. Low battery voltage can cause the symptoms to reappear on cars that have the GM recall service.
Best bet to avoid the problem is insure that the battery stays charged by using a tender device whenever the car is not being driven. That doesn't guarantee you will not experience the column lock symptoms but it would greatly increase the chances of avoiding them since low battery voltage is the most commom cause of the problem appearing. The aftermarket CLB or the more recent LMC5 further reduce the chances of expreiencing the column locking but you can still experience the fuel shutoff unless you have that shutoff speed reprogrammed to a large number.
If you try to use the number of people that complain about it here on the Forum, what percentage of the C5 owners is that? Certainly you can't get that number from GM. They perhaps have the totals of cars that they had to repair at their cost but most of that would be the forced NHTSA recall which includes all 1997 - 2000 cars manufactured (Column lock can strike any early car). All the manual transmission cars from 2001 through those manufactured prior to Feb 1, 2004 could experience the problem and were included in the recall. Those manufactured after about Feb. 1, 2004 had the service done at the factory and hence were not part of the recall. But GM stopped repairing any car (at their cost) that experienced a column lock symptom after March of 2008 if the NHTSA recall service had been done to the car so they don't have complete records anyway. However, GM is unlikely to just hand out those numbers that they have.
As most are aware, the GM solution is NOT a permanent repair. Low battery voltage can cause the symptoms to reappear on cars that have the GM recall service.
Best bet to avoid the problem is insure that the battery stays charged by using a tender device whenever the car is not being driven. That doesn't guarantee you will not experience the column lock symptoms but it would greatly increase the chances of avoiding them since low battery voltage is the most commom cause of the problem appearing. The aftermarket CLB or the more recent LMC5 further reduce the chances of expreiencing the column locking but you can still experience the fuel shutoff unless you have that shutoff speed reprogrammed to a large number.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Conejo Valley CA
I heard about the column lock issue but never experienced it. Then bamm... after 5 years of ownership, it struck. (Technically, the column didn't lock up but I got the DIC message after attempting to start the car on a low battery which is when it can strike). Got the By Pass kit and on to other things.
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The "what percentage" is one of those questions that you just have to shake your head in amazement. Who's responsibility would that be? 
I have a late production '04 Z16. My car is always on a BATTERY TENDER PLUS (red top OPTIMA installed June '06) when it's not in use. I recall reading some threads when I first joined corvetteforum that the late production cars didn't experience the problem of the column lock as much as earlier cars. Whether that's internet conjecture or fact, I don't know.
From the cars production in June '04 to November '11, I never experienced the column lock issue. No GM device was ever needed. But I installed a column lock bypass from CORVETTES OF HOUSTON just for the fun of it. I don't know if it ever would have occurred...but I figured my luck w/o it occurring had a pretty good run.
Are you aware that some have reported their column lock bypass has failed? There's a new product out now which is supposed to be easier to install w/o having to tear into the dash and will work with any of the GM "fixes" or after market column lock bypass devices installed. It loops into the body control module. You might want to investigate that option.
I have a late production '04 Z16. My car is always on a BATTERY TENDER PLUS (red top OPTIMA installed June '06) when it's not in use. I recall reading some threads when I first joined corvetteforum that the late production cars didn't experience the problem of the column lock as much as earlier cars. Whether that's internet conjecture or fact, I don't know.
From the cars production in June '04 to November '11, I never experienced the column lock issue. No GM device was ever needed. But I installed a column lock bypass from CORVETTES OF HOUSTON just for the fun of it. I don't know if it ever would have occurred...but I figured my luck w/o it occurring had a pretty good run.
Are you aware that some have reported their column lock bypass has failed? There's a new product out now which is supposed to be easier to install w/o having to tear into the dash and will work with any of the GM "fixes" or after market column lock bypass devices installed. It loops into the body control module. You might want to investigate that option.
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I read a magazine article about column lock by passes. It said C5 Corvettes, without some kind of column lock by pass, fall into 2 categories. Those that have had issues and those that will have issues with column lock problems. Something the article didn't mention that I learned from 8vette7 is the need to have the fuel shutoff reprogrammed to a higher speed. You won't be much better off being able to turn your wheels if you can only go 2 mph if your column lock by pass fails to do it's job.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: ft valley ga
Would also suggest picking up an extra relay (about $20.00) at ur local auto supply as this relay can also cause CLB. That is what happened to me last time and I already had the above mentioned bypass installed (thanks to 8vette7 for pointing me in that direction). Extra relay in the glove box is cheap peace of mind when traveling in the Vette.
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From: Vancouver British Columbia
I read a magazine article about column lock by passes. It said C5 Corvettes, without some kind of column lock by pass, fall into 2 categories. Those that have had issues and those that will have issues with column lock problems. Something the article didn't mention that I learned from 8vette7 is the need to have the fuel shutoff reprogrammed to a higher speed. You won't be much better off being able to turn your wheels if you can only go 2 mph if your column lock by pass fails to do it's job.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Belleville Il
Before I bought it,my 00 FRC had been in twice for recall fixes,,including the infamous computer reflash for the 2mph shut off. Thought I was safe,,,WRONG!!! 9 months after I bought it,,bam DIC warnings and fuel shut off,and the car was driven a lot,,rarely sat for more than a day and the battery was always full charge.Had driven over to my sons house,,went to leave and couldn't. A CLB and 4years of trouble free driving,,just replaced the 6year old battery when it started giving out,,,without a lock problem in the process!!
