question on service column lock
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Rowland Heights California
question on service column lock
Hello... Wanting to find out how much it cost to get this service done. When I start car on my 2002 zo6, the dash display says service column lock. I called dealer and they said it cost 105 to diagnos the problem and may cost anywhere from 300 to 600 hundred. Is this correct? Thank you all in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
1. does the column actually lock?
2, insure the battery is fully charged.
3. search and then read up on column lock bypass
4. buy a CLB (or equivalent) and install
5. you have now saved a lot of headaches and money.
2, insure the battery is fully charged.
3. search and then read up on column lock bypass
4. buy a CLB (or equivalent) and install
5. you have now saved a lot of headaches and money.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I found the shake the wheel method fits my needs.
Occasionally my key event doesn't register when I remove the key. I can tell because the locks don't flip as they are supposed to. I reinsert the key, and that key event is then recognized. When I return to the car, the lock functions normally.
Whatever remedy you choose, search carefully for an explanation of the system. There are a lot of opinions about this situation, and it takes a little searching to get the correct facts to make an informed decision.
Most people don't handle it my way, but I like the lock, and would not bypass it, unless it doesn't work.
I had a few episodes with the lock when I was trickle charging my car between runs. I guess something took exception to that. When I stopped bumping the low charge, my occasional problem stopped. The worn lock and the registration of the key events is now my only infrequent problem. I hope.
Occasionally my key event doesn't register when I remove the key. I can tell because the locks don't flip as they are supposed to. I reinsert the key, and that key event is then recognized. When I return to the car, the lock functions normally.
Whatever remedy you choose, search carefully for an explanation of the system. There are a lot of opinions about this situation, and it takes a little searching to get the correct facts to make an informed decision.
Most people don't handle it my way, but I like the lock, and would not bypass it, unless it doesn't work.
I had a few episodes with the lock when I was trickle charging my car between runs. I guess something took exception to that. When I stopped bumping the low charge, my occasional problem stopped. The worn lock and the registration of the key events is now my only infrequent problem. I hope.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,194
Likes: 4,566
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Do not take your car to a dealer for the column lock recall. It is well documented here and on other forums that the GM fix does not work and will cause other problems. Purchase a column lock simulator kit from one of the forum vendors and install it. If your column is locked you will have to free it first before installing the CLB. Using both hands, firmly jar the steering wheel from right to left and left to right while the key is in the on position, until it frees.
Here are some helpful links.
Install a Column Lock Bypass:
http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
You can get a CLB from one of these vendors:
http://www.rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=3138
http://www.corvettemods.com/product....Fc9i7AodqkAAbg
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-4...FYdQ7AodBB8Aaw
Here are some helpful links.
Install a Column Lock Bypass:
http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
You can get a CLB from one of these vendors:
http://www.rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=3138
http://www.corvettemods.com/product....Fc9i7AodqkAAbg
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-4...FYdQ7AodBB8Aaw
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Rowland Heights California
Thank you for replying. The column is not locked and i drove it about 25 miles with the service column light on. My car battery died before, so i took it to pep boys and they said battery was still good and told me to trickle charge it. Its a gel battery so i put to the gel setting, with the large battery, and charged battery. It died again so i jumped and charged again. I going to buy new battery next month. If I install new battery will the problem possibly be fixed? I will look into the column lock bypass.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Rowland Heights California
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Rowland Heights California
I suggest that you consider the LMC5 rather than the CLB. The low or dead battery likely fried one or more relays in the column lock system (Column Lock Relay or the GM K Harness relay if one is installed in your car). That means that just installing a CLB without examining the relays will NOT correct your symptoms. The column lock relay is needed if you install a CLB while the GM K Harness relay MUST be removed when you install a CLB.
Here is what a fried relay from low battery voltage looks like with the cover removed:
The LMC5 installs at the BCM in the passenger foot well and disconnects the factory column lock components when installed correctly. So failed factory components are not a concern as long as the column is UNLOCKED.
Here is what a fried relay from low battery voltage looks like with the cover removed:
The LMC5 installs at the BCM in the passenger foot well and disconnects the factory column lock components when installed correctly. So failed factory components are not a concern as long as the column is UNLOCKED.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 1,401
From: Central Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 5
From: Lake Oswego, Near Portland Oregon
THIS IS FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL AND SHOULD BE PERFORMED AT A DEALER FOR FREE!
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
THIS IS FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL AND SHOULD BE PERFORMED AT A DEALER FOR FREE!
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
THIS IS FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL AND SHOULD BE PERFORMED AT A DEALER FOR FREE!
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
As already stated... they will NOT be able to fix it. Buy an LMC5 and install it. LOTS of info regarding this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Not done free if the car has already had one or more versions of the recall service performed on it.
OP doesn't need to go anywhere but this Forum to get a copy of 04006C. It's right here and here is a link:
http://corvetteforum.net/c5/kenficht...olumn_lock.pdf
They DO NOT remove the lock. If you read the document you will see that they install a small diameter lock ring, the same one used on automatic C5's, that prevents the lock pin from intercepting it so the column no longer physically locks. Further you will notice that they install the legendary GM K Harness which comes with a guarantee to fail the first time the battery goes low.
OP, have either a CLB or LMC5 installed as the others also are suggesting.
GM DOES NOT have a fix for the column lock problem that is permanent. They never really tried any more than a half hearted effort. Took the aftermarket to come up with a PERMANENT solution.
OP doesn't need to go anywhere but this Forum to get a copy of 04006C. It's right here and here is a link:
http://corvetteforum.net/c5/kenficht...olumn_lock.pdf
They DO NOT remove the lock. If you read the document you will see that they install a small diameter lock ring, the same one used on automatic C5's, that prevents the lock pin from intercepting it so the column no longer physically locks. Further you will notice that they install the legendary GM K Harness which comes with a guarantee to fail the first time the battery goes low.
OP, have either a CLB or LMC5 installed as the others also are suggesting.
GM DOES NOT have a fix for the column lock problem that is permanent. They never really tried any more than a half hearted effort. Took the aftermarket to come up with a PERMANENT solution.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,092
Likes: 3,464
From: Oswego IL
THIS IS FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL AND SHOULD BE PERFORMED AT A DEALER FOR FREE!
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
Please send me a forum PM, with your email address. I will send you an email with a .pdf attachment of the actual final recall documents..this is the version that WILL remove the lock totally.
IT WILL BE DONE FOR FREE at any GM dealer. Take the printed out documents in with you to the service department. At first they will deny the existance of this recall, then show it to them...After they eat crow for lying to you, they will order in the parts kit, and then set up an appointment to do the install.... for free......
Jennifer
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Rowland Heights California
You install one or the other NOT both.
Dealer will not install either product because they are not GM approved. So you either install them yourself (not that difficult) or find someone that will install them for you.
CLB installs under the drivers side knee bolster and requires some disassembly of panels around the steering column. Great product when properly installed and the installer has the knowledge of what recall components need to be removed and has the knowledge to diagnose whether the Column Lock Relay has fried.
The LMC5 is a newer to the market (year and a half to two years) product that is an alternative to the CLB. It is claimed to be an easier to install device and is connected directly to the BCM in place of factory column lock connections. It's down side (IMHO) is that the manufacturer has 3 different products, LMC5, LMC5R and 5 wire LMC5. You receive the LMC5 and install it. It works properly for most (manufacturer claim not mine) vehicles. However some will begin getting a Pull Key and Wait 10 Second message that they may never before have received. if you do as instructed, pull key and wait, the car functions normally the next start attempt. If you do not do as instructed you encounter the 2mph fuel shutoff. If you contact the manufacturer he will work with you and send the LMC5R. That often cures the problem but again on some it does not. If you call again you will get the 5 wire LMC5. I have never read of this device NOT working.
Problem is that there is NO WAY IN ADVANCE to know how your car will react to the LMC5. Good news is the manufacturer is apparently very easy to work with in getting your problem resolved.
Dealer will not install either product because they are not GM approved. So you either install them yourself (not that difficult) or find someone that will install them for you.
CLB installs under the drivers side knee bolster and requires some disassembly of panels around the steering column. Great product when properly installed and the installer has the knowledge of what recall components need to be removed and has the knowledge to diagnose whether the Column Lock Relay has fried.
The LMC5 is a newer to the market (year and a half to two years) product that is an alternative to the CLB. It is claimed to be an easier to install device and is connected directly to the BCM in place of factory column lock connections. It's down side (IMHO) is that the manufacturer has 3 different products, LMC5, LMC5R and 5 wire LMC5. You receive the LMC5 and install it. It works properly for most (manufacturer claim not mine) vehicles. However some will begin getting a Pull Key and Wait 10 Second message that they may never before have received. if you do as instructed, pull key and wait, the car functions normally the next start attempt. If you do not do as instructed you encounter the 2mph fuel shutoff. If you contact the manufacturer he will work with you and send the LMC5R. That often cures the problem but again on some it does not. If you call again you will get the 5 wire LMC5. I have never read of this device NOT working.
Problem is that there is NO WAY IN ADVANCE to know how your car will react to the LMC5. Good news is the manufacturer is apparently very easy to work with in getting your problem resolved.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Rowland Heights California
Everyone is great with all the help and advice. I kept reading your post over and over and I am sort of understanding a little. I am a bit hestitant on the LMC5 because of the no way in advane to know how car will react. Will the CLB will work and put a permanent fix to the problem as long as the relays are examined, and get a column lock relay, and remove the GM K Harness? Thanks again...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
Thank you for replying. The column is not locked and i drove it about 25 miles with the service column light on. My car battery died before, so i took it to pep boys and they said battery was still good and told me to trickle charge it. Its a gel battery so i put to the gel setting, with the large battery, and charged battery. It died again so i jumped and charged again. I going to buy new battery next month. If I install new battery will the problem possibly be fixed? I will look into the column lock bypass.
That said, the one question I have for you is does your steering column lock when you remove the key? If it does, then you need a CLB or LMC5. Period. I installed the LMC5 from Compliance Parts with no issues.
http://www.complianceparts.com/index.html
You say you are not mechanically inclined but if you can follow directions (ie: baking recipe), then you can install the LMC5. If you are really nervous then phone (Rich I think) Compliance Parts and they will guide you through (at least that's what I've heard from lots of other forum members who had questions regarding the install). There's also the YouTube vid posted earlier. It really is not hard to do. They will also help you if the LMC5 doesn't work for your car (maybe 1%?). There maybe a forum member near you who might be able to help you with the install. Or take it to a shop (just not a dealer ok?!).
I am hesitant to post the link below as it may confuse you a bit. However, I does make for good reading and proves what we are saying regarding the column lock dilemma. As stated before, I and LOTS of others have installed the LMC5 with no issues.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ky-please.html
*** You will still have to figure out your charging issue. Either fully charge up your existing battery and have it checked, or buy a new one. C5's are notorious for going through batteries. If you haven't done so yet, then you should make sure your alternator is charging properly. Doesn't matter how good the battery is if the alternator won't charge it back up! ***
Last edited by Chilliwack vettes; Dec 13, 2013 at 01:20 PM.