Service Column Lock Last Night...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Service Column Lock Last Night...
I was out driving last night to Sam's Club and all of sudden I see the all too common message "Service Column Lock". Finally...I join the ranks of all those that have received this message. Carefully turning the car off in the lot, I made sure not to lock the steering wheel to prevent a complete lock out. Drove home and started looking at the LMC5 and CLB.
I figured those darn electricals must be acting up at this age and its time I install one of those gadgets, but a thought came across my mind that maybe my battery is weak from leaving the hood open while installing my Vararam a few days ago.
Took my battery out and dropped it off at Advance Autoparts for a free slow-charge at 9am this morning. Picked it up at 6 this evening and hooked the battery up to the car.
...........and no more service column lock message!
I guess a weak battery can cause havoc with electricals. Pretty cool how a healthy, strong battery can cure the ailment. Nonetheless, I've bought an LMC5 to be safe in the future!
I figured those darn electricals must be acting up at this age and its time I install one of those gadgets, but a thought came across my mind that maybe my battery is weak from leaving the hood open while installing my Vararam a few days ago.
Took my battery out and dropped it off at Advance Autoparts for a free slow-charge at 9am this morning. Picked it up at 6 this evening and hooked the battery up to the car.
...........and no more service column lock message!
I guess a weak battery can cause havoc with electricals. Pretty cool how a healthy, strong battery can cure the ailment. Nonetheless, I've bought an LMC5 to be safe in the future!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I am somewhat shocked that after all these years, you never had a column lock module installed. I installed mine at least 5 years ago after having to have my car flat-bedded to the dealership. Don't wait until this happens to you!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
mine had the recall done...still locks from time to time...but i just keep alot pressure on the wheel (turning to the right) and slowly turn the key from off to acc...and SNAP..lock breaks free...i do have the lmc5 and unlocker sitting in the glove box...guess i need to install it...actually...my gfs dad bought a battery for it this past week(guess my bday present) thinking that the factory battery from 99 might have something to do with it
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Great Northwest
St. Jude Donor '13
Okay, I am a bit confused. I thought the "newer" (his is an '03 which is the same as mine) were not susceptible to column lock or that there was something different about the recall or something. Can someone please clarify?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
Glad you made it home and weren't stranded but if one thing is scripture with the C5 I would submit that it's, "with the Column Lock it's not if but when"..
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,390
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
When you get the LMC5 install it right away. You got lucky this time but next time it happens you may not be so lucky. It is cheap insurance to fix the column lock problem.
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Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
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ALL manual trans C5's can/will experience Column lock problems.
ALL 1997 - 2000 automatic trans C5 can/will experience column lock problems.
ALL 2001 - 2003 automatic trans C5's will NOT experience column lock problems.
GM's Column Lock Recall service is a farce at best. It is NOT a permanent fix to the column lock problem on the C5.
ALL 1997 - 2000 automatic trans C5 can/will experience column lock problems.
ALL 2001 - 2003 automatic trans C5's will NOT experience column lock problems.
GM's Column Lock Recall service is a farce at best. It is NOT a permanent fix to the column lock problem on the C5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
mine had the recall done...still locks from time to time...but i just keep alot pressure on the wheel (turning to the right) and slowly turn the key from off to acc...and SNAP..lock breaks free...i do have the lmc5 and unlocker sitting in the glove box...guess i need to install it...actually...my gfs dad bought a battery for it this past week(guess my bday present) thinking that the factory battery from 99 might have something to do with it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
42k on my 01 and never had a CL problem. I did have ECBM failure which I pulled and fixed myself. During that process and after a full read of the electrical sticky, I cleaned all ground connections, and I always keep tender on the battery during periods of non-use. I did purchase a LMC5 and have it and the tools in a storage bin just in case, but from everything I have read it is low battery voltage and/or crappy grounds that drive the relays crazy and antagonize the issue. We have an 05 Caddy STS and have also learned about low voltage issues with it as well.
Cliffs: Battery tender is your friend!
. Corroded grounds and weak batteries are bad 
Cliffs: Battery tender is your friend!
. Corroded grounds and weak batteries are bad
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
You know, I thought I was somehow immune to this problem. I've had a good run of good luck lately and thought my car was special 
I quickly snapped back to reality after receiving that message.
So yes, I do believe that saying is true, "not if it will happen, but when it will happen"
I quickly snapped back to reality after receiving that message. So yes, I do believe that saying is true, "not if it will happen, but when it will happen"
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 2
From: The heartbreaking shame of pink stars Kentucky
Haunted thread syndrome!
I read this thread last night. I lay down to sleep, all secure in the knowledge that I installed the LMC5 last year.
This morning as I left for work, STALL...PULL KEY, WAIT 10 SECONDS!
Ah well, at least the locking hoodus was removed from the steering column. It did not misbehave anymore after its self-imposed 10 second time out.
WHY? WHY? WHY?
This morning as I left for work, STALL...PULL KEY, WAIT 10 SECONDS!
Ah well, at least the locking hoodus was removed from the steering column. It did not misbehave anymore after its self-imposed 10 second time out.
WHY? WHY? WHY?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
I own a CBL but never installed it, just today ordered a LMC5, long trip coming up and want to be prepared.