Column Lock Issues, LMC5 Review
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Column Lock Issues, LMC5 Review
So for the past month my column had been locking up, service column, pull key msg, etc.
Ordered the LMC5, installed it without a problem, and all is well now for over a week. I chose the LMC5 since you don't have to take apart your dash. I would suggest giving it a try.
My one bit of advice... MOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY before disconnecting the battery. I didn't and then wished I had the extra room
Also, I'm not sure about everyone else, but when my column locked (7-10 times) over the course of about a month, I would just turn the car off and jerk the wheel to the right to free it up. Sometimes I had to do this a few times untill the motor released, but it never failed me. Just FYI in case you are stranded in BFE.
Ordered the LMC5, installed it without a problem, and all is well now for over a week. I chose the LMC5 since you don't have to take apart your dash. I would suggest giving it a try.
My one bit of advice... MOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY before disconnecting the battery. I didn't and then wished I had the extra room
Also, I'm not sure about everyone else, but when my column locked (7-10 times) over the course of about a month, I would just turn the car off and jerk the wheel to the right to free it up. Sometimes I had to do this a few times untill the motor released, but it never failed me. Just FYI in case you are stranded in BFE.
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Thanks for the review. Good to see another product out there that can fix the dreaded column lock problem on these cars.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Maine
I stopped at my local Chevy Dealer, I had them run my Vin for any outstanding recalls they said the Column Lock, and Seatbelt recalls hadn’t been done yet. I’m dropping my car off Monday. I haven’t had an issue yet, I hope I’m not going pay down the road for breaking the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it rule.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,132
Likes: 4,155
From: Kannapolis NC
I think you're making a mistake having the dealer do the recall. You'll end up with the fuel cutoff programmed in. I'd get a CLB or LMC5 and install it. Maybe one of the column lock experts here could convince either you or me which way to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I agree it's a mistake to let the dealer do the recall. Buy the LMC5 CLB & the unlocker along with the inexpensive tool kit they sell. Carry it with you in case you experience the column lock or install it if you wish. The recall causes more problems than it solves.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Maine
I found this online which makes me think if I have the recall done there won't be a lock so problem solved or I'm I missing something?
"The LMC5 Unlocker is a simple device that is used to unlock the steering column in ANY 1997-2004 Corvette. The LMC5 Unlocker is designed to be used in conjunction with the installation of an LMC5 module. During the LMC5 installation, you attach the LMC5 Unlocker to the battery, attach the leads to the proper vehicle wires, and unlock the steering column.
Since the first factory recall disabled the steering column lock mechanism, your steering column will only lock if none of the factory recalls have been performed. Therefore,
You DO NOT need the LMC5 Unlocker if your steering column does not lock at all. This means that the steering wheel can be freely rotated without locking up, whenever the key is out of the ignition."
"The LMC5 Unlocker is a simple device that is used to unlock the steering column in ANY 1997-2004 Corvette. The LMC5 Unlocker is designed to be used in conjunction with the installation of an LMC5 module. During the LMC5 installation, you attach the LMC5 Unlocker to the battery, attach the leads to the proper vehicle wires, and unlock the steering column.
Since the first factory recall disabled the steering column lock mechanism, your steering column will only lock if none of the factory recalls have been performed. Therefore,
You DO NOT need the LMC5 Unlocker if your steering column does not lock at all. This means that the steering wheel can be freely rotated without locking up, whenever the key is out of the ignition."
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park IL
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I found this online which makes me think if I have the recall done there won't be a lock so problem solved or I'm I missing something?
"The LMC5 Unlocker is a simple device that is used to unlock the steering column in ANY 1997-2004 Corvette. The LMC5 Unlocker is designed to be used in conjunction with the installation of an LMC5 module. During the LMC5 installation, you attach the LMC5 Unlocker to the battery, attach the leads to the proper vehicle wires, and unlock the steering column.
Since the first factory recall disabled the steering column lock mechanism, your steering column will only lock if none of the factory recalls have been performed. Therefore,
You DO NOT need the LMC5 Unlocker if your steering column does not lock at all. This means that the steering wheel can be freely rotated without locking up, whenever the key is out of the ignition."
"The LMC5 Unlocker is a simple device that is used to unlock the steering column in ANY 1997-2004 Corvette. The LMC5 Unlocker is designed to be used in conjunction with the installation of an LMC5 module. During the LMC5 installation, you attach the LMC5 Unlocker to the battery, attach the leads to the proper vehicle wires, and unlock the steering column.
Since the first factory recall disabled the steering column lock mechanism, your steering column will only lock if none of the factory recalls have been performed. Therefore,
You DO NOT need the LMC5 Unlocker if your steering column does not lock at all. This means that the steering wheel can be freely rotated without locking up, whenever the key is out of the ignition."
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Not wanting to miss something again does that mean I should get the recall done like you did, and get the LMC5 unit? If that is the case where is my best bet to get the LMC5?
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Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 329
Likes: 1
From: Bowie Texas
The LCM5 doesn't always get along with the bcm. Mine didn't and although the column will never lock again the 2 mph shut off will still work. Mine would flash the pull key wait 10 seconds warning ever once in a while. When it did if you don't do what it says it will kill the car as soon as it moves. I called and they sent me a LCM5R which has a small relay in it. Now mine never gives a problem. Rick explained that some times the paramaters the bcm looks for are not quite satasified by the LCM5 but they are by the R unit. He also said the R is not better just a little diffferent. He said they are working on getting the LCM5 to work with the picky bcm's and when they do they will send me one. It is solid state and really a better unit than the R.
You can have the 2 mph shut off programed to a higher speed and not have to worry about it killing the car if something goes wrong with the LCM5. I plan to do that if I get a tune.
You can have the 2 mph shut off programed to a higher speed and not have to worry about it killing the car if something goes wrong with the LCM5. I plan to do that if I get a tune.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Orland Park IL
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Melting Slicks
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Yes don't let the dealer do the recall. When I bought the car the vehicle was having problems with the column locking. The dealer "fixed it", performed the recall, whatever you want to call it and all was well for about 1000 miles untill the problem returned again. Instead of going back to the dealer which would have been covered under the GM 12month program on parts/service, I opted to fix it myself with the LMC5.
I wanted to comment that I noticed when I would park partially on a curb, such as when you park on the street, the column would be more prone to lockup. In addition, letting the car sit for a few days would also make the column more prone to locking up.
I wanted to comment that I noticed when I would park partially on a curb, such as when you park on the street, the column would be more prone to lockup. In addition, letting the car sit for a few days would also make the column more prone to locking up.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Recall
I stopped at my local Chevy Dealer, I had them run my Vin for any outstanding recalls they said the Column Lock, and Seatbelt recalls hadn’t been done yet. I’m dropping my car off Monday. I haven’t had an issue yet, I hope I’m not going pay down the road for breaking the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it rule.
dont doit i took mine to dealer they fixed it lasted 2 years and 1500 miles broke again also recall was done in 2004
Uneducated autodidact
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,410
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From: West of the Sabine, Texas
Uneducated autodidact
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,410
Likes: 250
From: West of the Sabine, Texas