column lock

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 8, 2013 | 02:52 PM

Fcar 98

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,280

Likes: 1,097

From: Pittsburgh PA

column lock

After 15 years and 40.000 miles it happened. But from what I have read this is a little different. My car has a brand new battery, about a month old. Car started, put in reverse started to move then bang, locked up. Rocked the wheel back and forth, got all the warnings, it came loose. I have read that it will not happen with the car moving. It did with mine, have the clb on order. The battery checked out good. What a terrible feeling.

I don't leave my odometer up on my dic, I leave it blank. after this happened it came up. This is telling me low voltage but again the battery checked out fine. I am a little puzzled. This is what I read that when you start the car with low voltage the odometer comes up on the dic.

Last edited by Fcar 98; Jun 8, 2013 at 03:03 PM.

Jun 8, 2013 | 03:12 PM

MSG C5

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 17,767

Likes: 3,695

From: The Sunshine State

2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified

2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

2018 C5 of Year Finalist

I know there have been a ton of threads on this, however didn't GM correct this on C5s with a late production run? I have a 2004 that I purchased the summer of 2004 when the C6 models were arriving on dealer lots. It's an A4 and my steering wheel does not lock when the car is shut down. I can go in the garage right now and turn the steering wheel with no key in the ignition, yet I've read about owners with 2004s experiencing column lock?

Jun 8, 2013 | 03:23 PM

Fcar 98

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,280

Likes: 1,097

From: Pittsburgh PA

The recall was not done. On the first recall my car was not included. The wheel did not lock so i did not have it done when it was recalled. there were so many done that were not working I guess I pressed my luck till today. I never had a problem in any way.

Jun 8, 2013 | 06:09 PM

Fcar 98

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,280

Likes: 1,097

From: Pittsburgh PA

Why do you think this happened as It did while it was in gear and moving. The wheel never locks when I turn it off. the battery checked out good after this happened. thanks for your help.

Jun 8, 2013 | 06:39 PM

MSG C5

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 17,767

Likes: 3,695

From: The Sunshine State

2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021

Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified

2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

2018 C5 of Year Finalist

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7

Automatic C5's from 2001 and on do NOT experience Column Lock issues.

Manual trans 2001 - 2004 C5's will experience Column Lock issues.

All 1997 - 2000 C5's will experience Column Lock issues.

Plainly stated on page 1 of the Column Lock Sticky at the top of the Tech Forum.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html

I know this is the General Forum but enhance your life a little and read some of the stuff posted over in the Tech Forum.

I read the tech forum and as a result, I'm very enhanced. Just ask my wife...

However what was confusing was a thread on another forum that indicated that 2001-2004 A4s that were shipped to Europe also had the column lock problem. Strange if true considering all C5 rolled out of the same plant...

Last edited by MSG C5; Jun 8, 2013 at 06:42 PM.

Jun 8, 2013 | 06:43 PM

Fcar 98

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,280

Likes: 1,097

From: Pittsburgh PA

I bought this car new I know the recall was not done. It was not at the dealer after 2000. No water in the foot well. I was just at the car and when I started it no mileage came up in the dic like it did before. I have owned this car for 15 years and never had this problem even when the battery was dead as it did this year for the first time. I change the battery every 5 years if it needs it or not. this like I said was the first year it died. I have never used a tender. this car has sat for 3 months and started with no problem. thanks again for the help

Last edited by Fcar 98; Jun 8, 2013 at 06:47 PM.

Jun 8, 2013 | 07:03 PM

Fcar 98

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 3,280

Likes: 1,097

From: Pittsburgh PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7

Good luck with your problem..

thanks again for the help

Jun 9, 2013 | 09:48 AM

flyboyslc1

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 3,364

Likes: 100

From: IOWA!!!

is the recall still available?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7

Has the recall service been done on your car???

Is the car a manual or automatic?

If you don't know if the recall has been done, then you can get a copy of the GMVIS for your VIN by emailing the VIN to either of these two Forum Supporting Vendors:

dfichtner@fichtnerchevrolet.com Dennis Fichtner

gene@gmpartshouse.com Gene Culley

Ask them to email the GMVIS for your VIN to you.

In the Service history section of the report look to see if the column lock service is still open.

If the recall service has not been done (status OPEN), you know first hand why the cars were recalled. The car can be driven under certain conditions with the column locked. Obviously a very dangerous situation.

Have had a c4 for a couple of years and just bought a c5 1999 frc. Just learning about the car and all the peculiarities of C5's I am starting to understand the column lock issue. I will email my Vin to the guys you mentioned to find service records.

If the recall has not been done, is it still available at a GM dealership at this point in time?

steve