Column Lock...again.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh PA
Column Lock...again.
I know this has been beat to death and I myself was tired of reading about it until mine locked last week.
Anyway, had a long talk with Richard last evening and this morning I went ahad and ordered the LMC5 and unlocker. But in the meantime I decided to look at some things he sugested. Stuck a new relay in from NAPA...$26 ..no dice. Checked #23 fuse and good. Wiggled the grounds at the base of the pass side A pillar and WAALAA...it works again.
I am going to pull the multi connector apart and clean/inspect. The LMC5 and jumper will go in the console just in case.
Once again I have to thank the forum and especially Richard that took so much time to talk. THANK YOU!!!
Jim
Anyway, had a long talk with Richard last evening and this morning I went ahad and ordered the LMC5 and unlocker. But in the meantime I decided to look at some things he sugested. Stuck a new relay in from NAPA...$26 ..no dice. Checked #23 fuse and good. Wiggled the grounds at the base of the pass side A pillar and WAALAA...it works again.
I am going to pull the multi connector apart and clean/inspect. The LMC5 and jumper will go in the console just in case.
Once again I have to thank the forum and especially Richard that took so much time to talk. THANK YOU!!!
Jim
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Glad you got it fixed for now. The LMC5 should take care of it permanently for you. And 
to Richard for helping you out.
to Richard for helping you out.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
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Oldtimer
Column Lock & bad or low battery.
I watch a video the other night and the topic was the dreaded "Column Lock Issue" and the GM tech giving the course said that 88% of the 'Column Lock situations' are due and fixed by putting in a fresh, fully charged Battery.
I thought 88%, damn that just about the whole issue in one fell swipe ?
I thought 88%, damn that just about the whole issue in one fell swipe ?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
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i got the message not long after buying my 99 coupe. Removed the key, let the car sit and took another car to work that day. Next day, started it up and it was fine. Got the 'pull key' message again later that week, so I removed and replaced the battery then and there - and it has not happened since. Been a couple months now.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh PA
If you read my post, it was a bad ground issue. Had nothing to do with the battery. Same battery (Diehard) and problem is gone after messing with the A pillar ground. Actually, back in the winter, when I was rebuilding the car, the battery would occasionally go down and I'd get error messages about the selective ride ect. Charge it up and all was good again. I was getting DIC voltages in the 11s and the column still unlocked.
It wasn't my intention to keep beating this dead horse. I just wanted to share what MY PROBLEM turned out to be in case it may help someone else. I watched the battery video and it was very convincing. But after talking to Richard, I believe he has an excellent understanding of the system. He was gratious enough to share his troubleshooting knowledge without ever saying "You need my product"
I guess everyone has their opinion on this. But I don't believe anyone can make a statement that it's some percentage of battery failure. If it was that simple I surely think GM would have put the blame there instead of trying to fix the system with expensive recalls.
I make no claim that this ground issue is the CL problem in every case. I don't think it serves anyone to claim it's always the battery either.
Again, Thanks.
It wasn't my intention to keep beating this dead horse. I just wanted to share what MY PROBLEM turned out to be in case it may help someone else. I watched the battery video and it was very convincing. But after talking to Richard, I believe he has an excellent understanding of the system. He was gratious enough to share his troubleshooting knowledge without ever saying "You need my product"
I guess everyone has their opinion on this. But I don't believe anyone can make a statement that it's some percentage of battery failure. If it was that simple I surely think GM would have put the blame there instead of trying to fix the system with expensive recalls.
I make no claim that this ground issue is the CL problem in every case. I don't think it serves anyone to claim it's always the battery either.
Again, Thanks.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
True a good NEW battery that is designed for the C5 Corvette is required to give the BCM a good 12.? volts to not have a "Steering Column Lock". And correct the LMC5 will correct this issue once and for all. Good luck
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh PA
I don't really know where the exact problem was. The screw seemed tight and I saw no corrosion. It could have been in the junction block and me wiggling the wires restored contact.
I can't argue this is a common fault. I just wanted to toss it out since it seems to have fixed mine. But keep something in mind. You can have the best battery in the world but if there is a fault in either the supply or ground circuits to the BCM, it won't matter. However I will agree that the battery is the simplest place to start.
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