First Timer
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: woodstock ga
welcome!
you are going to catch alot of hell for this post. the service column lock is probably the most discussed issue on this forum. i will assume since you are new to the forum that you dont know how to Search for a thread. scroll to the top and you will see a camera. just to the right of the camera is a search icon. click on that and then click on advanced search and type in service column lock. get a six pack and enjoy the reading.
the good news is that most of the time it is due to a low voltage issue with the battery. good luck with your research. and dont forget to fill out your profile, someone close to you may help you if you need it.
you are going to catch alot of hell for this post. the service column lock is probably the most discussed issue on this forum. i will assume since you are new to the forum that you dont know how to Search for a thread. scroll to the top and you will see a camera. just to the right of the camera is a search icon. click on that and then click on advanced search and type in service column lock. get a six pack and enjoy the reading.
the good news is that most of the time it is due to a low voltage issue with the battery. good luck with your research. and dont forget to fill out your profile, someone close to you may help you if you need it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 4
From: Bedford MA
Quoted from the Sticky section. "Weights, measurements, ratios, strengths, etc "
Lots of "common" problems and fixes in there. Also the search feature will be your friend.
Lots of "common" problems and fixes in there. Also the search feature will be your friend.
Common Problems
Locked steering column
All C5’s, particularly manual transmission C5’s, and early C6 steering columns have a tendency to lock and stay locked. Usually it can be unlocked once, but just once. Some owners claim that vigorously shaking the steering wheel can unlock the steering wheel. Dealer's are able to disable the locking mechanism with a modified locking plate. Currently this is the only real method to disable the locking mechanism. Basically the wheel will still try to lock, but there will be nothing for it to lock to. It’s like a door dead bolt with a slot cut into the door jamb. There is a $100 kit that disables the steering column lock, and can be installed easily, but enough car vibrations can cause the lock to fall into the locking plate, even while driving!
GM has a part (#88952428 or 88952428) that has a harness wiring jumper and different lock plate. Not sure what the difference in the kits are.
After reading a few posts, manual transmission C5’s & C6’s are still in danger, even if the lock is disabled. The lock can vibrate out over time and get trapped in the locking plate. Auto transmission cars that have undergone the recall and new auto’s will not have the locking plate at all, so they are safe. More information about COMPLETELY disabling the steering column lock will be forthcoming from other’s on the forum, and by my own personal project. Until then, here are a few links about the topic:
Column Lock Harness K Installation
A4 non locking column plate --- must be a member
Column-lock again even with CLB!
Has anyone ELSE beat column lock?
Locked steering column
All C5’s, particularly manual transmission C5’s, and early C6 steering columns have a tendency to lock and stay locked. Usually it can be unlocked once, but just once. Some owners claim that vigorously shaking the steering wheel can unlock the steering wheel. Dealer's are able to disable the locking mechanism with a modified locking plate. Currently this is the only real method to disable the locking mechanism. Basically the wheel will still try to lock, but there will be nothing for it to lock to. It’s like a door dead bolt with a slot cut into the door jamb. There is a $100 kit that disables the steering column lock, and can be installed easily, but enough car vibrations can cause the lock to fall into the locking plate, even while driving!
GM has a part (#88952428 or 88952428) that has a harness wiring jumper and different lock plate. Not sure what the difference in the kits are.
After reading a few posts, manual transmission C5’s & C6’s are still in danger, even if the lock is disabled. The lock can vibrate out over time and get trapped in the locking plate. Auto transmission cars that have undergone the recall and new auto’s will not have the locking plate at all, so they are safe. More information about COMPLETELY disabling the steering column lock will be forthcoming from other’s on the forum, and by my own personal project. Until then, here are a few links about the topic:
Column Lock Harness K Installation
A4 non locking column plate --- must be a member
Column-lock again even with CLB!
Has anyone ELSE beat column lock?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,284
Likes: 24,570
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
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You also might want to fill out the rest of your profile so members here can have more information on which to base any helpful answers. Location, year and body style of car, tranny, etc. would all be useful.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
You hit the nail on the head there. What an education I have had in the last 2 days. I took delivery of an '03 convertible, gray, on April 18th, 2012. On the clock was 9,763 mi. today 12,012.
The crux of my problems started with a low voltage situation cause by battery # 3, starting to fail. Realized this when I charged it and it would not hold the charge. DuH! When I installed the new battery I kept the juice live so as not to lose the radio stations etc( Enter service colum lock). After your kind reply I read the thread. I figured I was out of the weeds but not so fast. Knowing the factory recall was performed Back in '05 and I could turn the wheel without the key......
Pulling my white hair out wasn't the key so off to Chevy for an explanation.
Made an appt. for a consult to give an e$timate, car arrived out front in 15 min. Problem solved. Mech. disconnected negative cable to let the unit(?) reset and all is well in my garage once again.
Thanks for your soft introduction,
Gilligan
The crux of my problems started with a low voltage situation cause by battery # 3, starting to fail. Realized this when I charged it and it would not hold the charge. DuH! When I installed the new battery I kept the juice live so as not to lose the radio stations etc( Enter service colum lock). After your kind reply I read the thread. I figured I was out of the weeds but not so fast. Knowing the factory recall was performed Back in '05 and I could turn the wheel without the key......
Pulling my white hair out wasn't the key so off to Chevy for an explanation.
Made an appt. for a consult to give an e$timate, car arrived out front in 15 min. Problem solved. Mech. disconnected negative cable to let the unit(?) reset and all is well in my garage once again.
Thanks for your soft introduction,
Gilligan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,724
Likes: 2
From: Holland Landing Ontario
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