bc6152

In doing some research on the 1998 I bought last July, I found that the car has an open recall for "electronic column lock". I'm aware of issues that some have had with this and want to know: Should I take it to a dealer and have the recall repair performed by GM - or will they even do it at this point 14 years later. Or, since there hasn't ever been a problem since 1998 just do nothing? Or, buy and install the after market attachment that prevents the column from locking.


Appreciate the advice as always...

dbgoodwin

Road Runner

I agree with dbgoowin. The GM recall doesn’t ‘fix’ the problem (I know, I tried). The only solution is to install the bypass. Then again - if you don’t have a problem, why try and fix it.

Vetteman Jack

If you want the problem fixed, do the LMC5.

GCG

Have you checked if the previous owner(s) already corrected this? If not, the only real solution for this is the LMC5.

bc6152

This is a good thought. There's only two previous owners so I'll give that a shot. Otherwise I think I'll just get the LMC5.


Thanks to all...

sirdano

You would most likely would have had to pay for that recall.

The statute of limitations, according to NHTSA, for all no-charge recall repairs is 10 years from the original sale date of the vehicle. However, one exception is tires. Tire recall repairs must be completed within 60 days of receiving a recall notice.

C5R USA

I agree with both of these sound advice solutions.

However, I will add from my own experience on my MN6 2000, that I had it for 3 years when I got the recall notification, and NEVER had a problem with it before. Two times I had it towed to a local Chevy dealership to get it fixed because of the dreaded "Pull key, wait 10 seconds" BS after they worked their dealership magic.

If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would've just left it alone but, I will say the LMC5 is the best remedy and the least painful route to go in fixing the problem.

steig

Another Vote for LMC5

bc6152

Had no idea that there was a limit on recalls and I'm quite sure that GM would charge me 3 times what the LMC5 would be. All good advice and most appreciated.

4XLR8N

No "limit" on GM (or any mfg for that matter) safety recalls...they can be done anytime, free of charge to customer. Parts availability might be another matter, however, depending upon how old the recall is.

That said, in this case the advice you got already is spot on...the recall will NOT fix the issue. Get the LMC5 installed BEFORE you wish you had...

c5BlackBeauty

Bingo.... I think one of the first "mods" I did after joining the Forum and still some of the best advice you can receive.

m4bgringo

Do the LCM5 now. This bit my wife once. I had the LCM5 but kept putting it off. Luckily it happened in our driveway! I think it took me 1/2 hour to do, never had an issue since.

Mike98SilVert

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.

Your best and easiest solution is to install a LMC5. Here is the link:
http://www.complianceparts.com/

Or install a column lock bypass:
Here are some helpful links.

How to 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.westcoastcorvette.com/p-4...FYdQ7AodBB8Aaw

I have installed both and without issues,

Vettman 1

Was looking for current post re: "column lock recall" as I received a mailed notice, and a phone recording on my 2000. I installed a column lock bypass back in '03 and have had zero problems to date, but I thought it
odd they're very concerned 18 yrs. later.

~Josh

dbgoodwin

calvins

It would be extremely interesting to see an unbiased review/compare of them both. Anyone know if one's available?

Lazarus Long

I installed the LMC5. I had no issues before, and still don't now. The previous owner (Dad) had one of the column lock recalls done, but no idea which one.

Speaking of recalls, the parts may no longer be available. When I took it in attempting to find out what exactly was done for the recall, they discovered there was still an open recall for the twisting seatbelt. This is a safety issue, so should still be honored. The part is no longer available, so I can't get it done.

jackthelad

I had the GM "final" fix done by the dealer at no cost to me in 2010 - car was a '98 MN6, built in '97. My point to them was that I had had their previous fixes done, so it should not have failed. Chevrolet apparently agreed and paid the tab.

The final fix, by the way was to remove the locking mechanism, so no column lock. And no problems since - I would not expect there to be, given the locking "bits" are gone.