No column lock
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 734
Likes: 45
From: Over in the UK
If your car is an auto and the column locks with NO KEY in the ignition then the GM Recall service has NEVER been done to the car.
Are you located in the US ? If not then the recall may NOT apply in your country. Either way I would NOT let a dealer touch the car relative to the column lock system.
Are you located in the US ? If not then the recall may NOT apply in your country. Either way I would NOT let a dealer touch the car relative to the column lock system.
It's does lock with no key... No I'm in the UK..
I think for $49 dollars versus it happening.. Bound to be a nightmare time!
It's gotta be done
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 43
From: shavertown Pa.
When I bought my z06 last fall it had 134K on it, the column was still working.
I bought an economy CLB only to find out no matter what I did it would not work.
This was the first c5 that I bought that I tried the cheaper route, long story short was I sent it back and bought my usual from Texas speed.
Worked first time without any screwing around.
I bought an economy CLB only to find out no matter what I did it would not work.
This was the first c5 that I bought that I tried the cheaper route, long story short was I sent it back and bought my usual from Texas speed.
Worked first time without any screwing around.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Recently installed the LMC5 on the 04. After reading the instructions I viewed the video from their website. Then with laptop and paper in hand I set forth. Finished in ten minutes.
The only problem encountered is occasionally after starting and rolling out the garage I get the pull key wait ten seconds routine. Only happens on the first start. I could engage the brown wire, but for now the inconvenience is negligible.
The only problem encountered is occasionally after starting and rolling out the garage I get the pull key wait ten seconds routine. Only happens on the first start. I could engage the brown wire, but for now the inconvenience is negligible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Recently installed the LMC5 on the 04. After reading the instructions I viewed the video from their website. Then with laptop and paper in hand I set forth. Finished in ten minutes.
The only problem encountered is occasionally after starting and rolling out the garage I get the pull key wait ten seconds routine. Only happens on the first start. I could engage the brown wire, but for now the inconvenience is negligible.
The only problem encountered is occasionally after starting and rolling out the garage I get the pull key wait ten seconds routine. Only happens on the first start. I could engage the brown wire, but for now the inconvenience is negligible.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Column NOT locking with NO KEY in the ignition on a Manual Trans car means that one of 3 things has been done to the car.
1) GM recall variation 04006C was done to the car. Get the GMVIS for the car and find out if GM did recall service on the column lock system AFTER Feb 2006. If so then likely 04006C was done. That installs a small diameter lock plate in place of the full size lock plate and installs a GM K Harness between the lock motor and the connector that goe back to the BCM. K Harness guaranteed to fail the first time the battery goes low.
2) A Column Lock Bypass (CLB) was installed. To know if a CLB was installed you need to drop the drivers side knee bolster and check for the small rectangular CLB box. Looks something like this:
Amazon.com: C5 Corvette Steering Column Lock Bypass Simulator: Automotive
3) An LMC5 may already be installed. This is easy to check. Google Compliance Parts and go to their web site. Look at the LMC5 on their site. In the passenger foot well behind the toe kick at the end of the foot well look for the presence of an LMC5.
Both a CLB and the LMC5 will avoid the 2mph fuel shutoff. They both function the same way in that they fool the BCM into thinking the column lock system is working correctly. Since they are far more reliable than the GM column lock components, the BCM is very unlikely to get out of sync with the CLB or LMC5 and when the BCM is happy it does NOT enable the 2mph fuel shutoff.
You CAN have a tuner with either EFI Live or HP Tuners set the fuel shutoff speed to a high number like 200 or 255. That has the effect of eliminating the fuel shutoff since you are unlikely to get the car to 200 or 25 MPH.
1) GM recall variation 04006C was done to the car. Get the GMVIS for the car and find out if GM did recall service on the column lock system AFTER Feb 2006. If so then likely 04006C was done. That installs a small diameter lock plate in place of the full size lock plate and installs a GM K Harness between the lock motor and the connector that goe back to the BCM. K Harness guaranteed to fail the first time the battery goes low.
2) A Column Lock Bypass (CLB) was installed. To know if a CLB was installed you need to drop the drivers side knee bolster and check for the small rectangular CLB box. Looks something like this:
Amazon.com: C5 Corvette Steering Column Lock Bypass Simulator: Automotive
3) An LMC5 may already be installed. This is easy to check. Google Compliance Parts and go to their web site. Look at the LMC5 on their site. In the passenger foot well behind the toe kick at the end of the foot well look for the presence of an LMC5.
Both a CLB and the LMC5 will avoid the 2mph fuel shutoff. They both function the same way in that they fool the BCM into thinking the column lock system is working correctly. Since they are far more reliable than the GM column lock components, the BCM is very unlikely to get out of sync with the CLB or LMC5 and when the BCM is happy it does NOT enable the 2mph fuel shutoff.
You CAN have a tuner with either EFI Live or HP Tuners set the fuel shutoff speed to a high number like 200 or 255. That has the effect of eliminating the fuel shutoff since you are unlikely to get the car to 200 or 25 MPH.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 208
Likes: 8
From: Austin TX
Not exactly. 
ALL C5's have the logic built into the BCM to issue an unlock command to the lock module that is under the plastic tupperware surrounding the steering column. The lock module retracts the pin (if you listen carefully when you insert the key into the ignition cylinder and just begin to turn it toward the ON position you will hear a soft bzzzzzt. That is the pin being retracted by the lock motor.
Same when you remove the key from the ignition, the BCM will send a lock command to the lock motor and the lock motor extends the lock pin. HOWEVER, the lock plate that would normally intercept the lock pin and lock the column is a small diameter plate that CANNOT intercept the lock pin on automatic trans C5's. Those cars were never eligible for the NHTSA forced column lock recall service. It is the GM recall service that screwed the pooch and causes all the problems that you read about on the Forum. The untouched system whether in a manual or automatic trans is generally fairly reliable. Not so with the recall modded system.
The BCM is the same on ALL the 2001 - 2004 C5's and the logic to operates the lock motor is hard wired into the BCM so you have a column locking system of sorts. It is just that the column in an automatic will never physically lock.
Aren't you glad you asked?
ALL C5's have the logic built into the BCM to issue an unlock command to the lock module that is under the plastic tupperware surrounding the steering column. The lock module retracts the pin (if you listen carefully when you insert the key into the ignition cylinder and just begin to turn it toward the ON position you will hear a soft bzzzzzt. That is the pin being retracted by the lock motor.
Same when you remove the key from the ignition, the BCM will send a lock command to the lock motor and the lock motor extends the lock pin. HOWEVER, the lock plate that would normally intercept the lock pin and lock the column is a small diameter plate that CANNOT intercept the lock pin on automatic trans C5's. Those cars were never eligible for the NHTSA forced column lock recall service. It is the GM recall service that screwed the pooch and causes all the problems that you read about on the Forum. The untouched system whether in a manual or automatic trans is generally fairly reliable. Not so with the recall modded system.
The BCM is the same on ALL the 2001 - 2004 C5's and the logic to operates the lock motor is hard wired into the BCM so you have a column locking system of sorts. It is just that the column in an automatic will never physically lock.
Aren't you glad you asked?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
(I have a 2004 auto and thought the column lock was a non-issue on that configuration, but this is making me nervous...)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Georgia
Hey 8VetteZ - Based on several posts, you appear to be very knowledgeable with the Steering Column Lock issue. I have an '02 Z and the Positive Battery terminal was apparently lose. It was creating low voltage issues that simulated an issue with the Alternator. Pulled the alternator, tested it an passed. This is when I did further investigating and found the lose terminal. Replaced the terminal bolt and recharged the battery. Took a multimeter to the battery after charging the battery. The battery is a 12.5 volts. Started the car and I now have the Steering Column Lock issue. My steering wheel still turns with the key not in the ignition, so, i'm assuming the recall was done prior to me purchasing the car. At this point the vehicle shuts off at 2 MPH.
My question, based on other posts, I'm confused as several other posts said that once the Lock issue occurs you have to take to GM to get it fixed. Your posts however indicate that I can purchase the LMC5 device install it and the issue will go away. Is this true?
Thanks for your help!
My question, based on other posts, I'm confused as several other posts said that once the Lock issue occurs you have to take to GM to get it fixed. Your posts however indicate that I can purchase the LMC5 device install it and the issue will go away. Is this true?
Thanks for your help!
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Georgia
The statement in BLUE above is NOT correct. GM never has had a permanent fix for the Column Lock Symptoms. If they did you would not be posting these questions.
Order and install an LMC5. Save the install instructions because there is a small chance you may need to do the "brown wire mod" explained on page 2 of the install instructions.
With the LMC5 you do not need to know what has been done in previous attempts to correct the Column Lock Symptoms. Properly installed the LMC5 abandons all column lock wiring and/or components down stream of the BCM. LMC5 installs right at the BCM.
Google "Compliance Parts" to read about the LMC5 and order it.
Also as an FYI, if the voltage at the battery posts is only at 12.5 volts and not higher like 12.7 or higher, the battery is marginal at best (assuming you did in fact attempt to fully charge it). Expect to have to replace it soon. Car starts with 12.2 volts or less but the electronics in the C5, ESPECIALLY the column lock electronics, are NOT happy with 12.5 or less..
Order and install an LMC5. Save the install instructions because there is a small chance you may need to do the "brown wire mod" explained on page 2 of the install instructions.
With the LMC5 you do not need to know what has been done in previous attempts to correct the Column Lock Symptoms. Properly installed the LMC5 abandons all column lock wiring and/or components down stream of the BCM. LMC5 installs right at the BCM.
Google "Compliance Parts" to read about the LMC5 and order it.
Also as an FYI, if the voltage at the battery posts is only at 12.5 volts and not higher like 12.7 or higher, the battery is marginal at best (assuming you did in fact attempt to fully charge it). Expect to have to replace it soon. Car starts with 12.2 volts or less but the electronics in the C5, ESPECIALLY the column lock electronics, are NOT happy with 12.5 or less..