[Z06] C5 Column Lock Problems
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
C5 Column Lock Problems
Hey Everyone,
I know many of you out there have had problems with the steering column lock on your C5's. I heard some really disturbing news today from my dealer's service guy. After having my DIC tell me there were column lock problems last month, mine was replaced by them just yesterday under warranty. Today, The service guy calls me and tells me that he just got a urgent bulletin from GM wanting to know if any owners reported the damned thing locking up when they were driving. I promptly went to the dealer and demanded to see this letter. Sure enough it was there and is supposed to be
"confidential". Only to be seen by dealers and their service people. Just wondering if anyone else out there has heard this? Dealer said they would bypass mine just as soon as I could get it back to them if I want. I think i will have them do it Monday! Please pass this on and ask for feedback.
Thanks in advance! Jim
I know many of you out there have had problems with the steering column lock on your C5's. I heard some really disturbing news today from my dealer's service guy. After having my DIC tell me there were column lock problems last month, mine was replaced by them just yesterday under warranty. Today, The service guy calls me and tells me that he just got a urgent bulletin from GM wanting to know if any owners reported the damned thing locking up when they were driving. I promptly went to the dealer and demanded to see this letter. Sure enough it was there and is supposed to be
"confidential". Only to be seen by dealers and their service people. Just wondering if anyone else out there has heard this? Dealer said they would bypass mine just as soon as I could get it back to them if I want. I think i will have them do it Monday! Please pass this on and ask for feedback.
Thanks in advance! Jim
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From: Always living in a state of Confusion.
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Cruise-In 5, 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (slong)
Holy smokes :eek: Mine was "fixed" once by the dealer but I got the same error about a month ago. I took it back to the dealer and they said "We already fixed once and will not fix it again."
Thanks for the info. I think another visit to the dealer is in order :mad
Thanks for the info. I think another visit to the dealer is in order :mad
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 220
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Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (ZZOOM06)
Does this happen on stick shifts? or just automatics? i have the new Z16 04 model. is this happening on 2004 models as well? I remember being out one night before i bought my last Z06 and someone was parked in a automatic convert. with the wheel locked up and i think the wheels were turned to the left. (if that matters) thanks for the heads up. hope someone can tell me about if its on the 04's too.??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (Tonys torch)
Tony,
The bulletin I saw was for all '97-'04 models. Mine is a 6 speed, but a guy
I know locally has an A4 and his column lock has been replaced recently.
As for me, mine didn't lock up inadvertantly, but I kept getting the "Service Colum Lock" message on the DIC even though the damned thing was still working. If I get any updates from the service writer at my dealer I will post them immediately! Regional Chevy service rep is due here on the 15th, let's see what he has to say............ Jim
The bulletin I saw was for all '97-'04 models. Mine is a 6 speed, but a guy
I know locally has an A4 and his column lock has been replaced recently.
As for me, mine didn't lock up inadvertantly, but I kept getting the "Service Colum Lock" message on the DIC even though the damned thing was still working. If I get any updates from the service writer at my dealer I will post them immediately! Regional Chevy service rep is due here on the 15th, let's see what he has to say............ Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 178
From: Jacksonville, NC
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (ZZOOM06)
What year is your car? I just bought this thing. I have it sitting on my counter. Was going to wait for warmer weather but may freeze my butt off tomorrow so I can quit stressing about it. Pretty sad this must be done. My car only has 800 miles. Better not lock up this quick.
Thanks for the HU!
Jim K.
Thanks for the HU!
Jim K.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (Tonys torch)
Tony,
I had the car out for a couple hours today trying out my new exhaust system. Just installed GHL Magnum 2 tip that I purchased on a GP from Extreme Motorsports In Phoenix. Nice Unit,,,,,very high quality, only took an hour to install, :D (used my friends transmission shop lift). Slightly deeper tone at idle than the stock Ti system, and more of a 60's supercar sound at WOT. :cheers: I didn't notice much of a performance increase, but then again, the stock Ti on the Z flows pretty well. I was just looking for a more muscular sound which these provide, and the best thing of all,,,,NO resonance! :thumbs: Ran my Blue girl up through the gears a couple times with the windows down just for grins :D :D :D BTW. the colum lock is fine so far......later all, Jim
I had the car out for a couple hours today trying out my new exhaust system. Just installed GHL Magnum 2 tip that I purchased on a GP from Extreme Motorsports In Phoenix. Nice Unit,,,,,very high quality, only took an hour to install, :D (used my friends transmission shop lift). Slightly deeper tone at idle than the stock Ti system, and more of a 60's supercar sound at WOT. :cheers: I didn't notice much of a performance increase, but then again, the stock Ti on the Z flows pretty well. I was just looking for a more muscular sound which these provide, and the best thing of all,,,,NO resonance! :thumbs: Ran my Blue girl up through the gears a couple times with the windows down just for grins :D :D :D BTW. the colum lock is fine so far......later all, Jim
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (Corpsvette)
Hi Jim,
My car is an '03 ZO6, bought it in June of '03, 2800 miles so far.
What do you have sitting on your counter?
I wouldn't stress over it too much, the DIC will tell you "Service Column lock" if there is a problem. Mine did, and it never locked up on me when driving the car, so don't sweat it too much and enjoy your ride! The ZO6 is
such a blast to drive, I try not to let is sit in the barn for too long, It really loves the mountain roads here in CO! :D Semper Fi, Regards,,, Jim L.
My car is an '03 ZO6, bought it in June of '03, 2800 miles so far.
What do you have sitting on your counter?
I wouldn't stress over it too much, the DIC will tell you "Service Column lock" if there is a problem. Mine did, and it never locked up on me when driving the car, so don't sweat it too much and enjoy your ride! The ZO6 is
such a blast to drive, I try not to let is sit in the barn for too long, It really loves the mountain roads here in CO! :D Semper Fi, Regards,,, Jim L.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (ZZOOM06)
Jim, i would love to know how much louder they sound? and are you suppose to get more horses out of the system? wouldn't mind a little louder sound, but not real loud for me. Also you must of had nice weather today to be out, we had a sunny day and after work i drove around and i actually now have 70 miles on the new one..LOL..
Okay big question and maybe i should make a new topic on this.. How do you guys break in your car? hard? soft? the way your going to drive it? thanks Tony
Okay big question and maybe i should make a new topic on this.. How do you guys break in your car? hard? soft? the way your going to drive it? thanks Tony
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
Re: GHL Magnum 2-tip Cat=backs
Jim, i would love to know how much louder they sound? and are you suppose to get more horses out of the system? wouldn't mind a little louder sound, but not real loud for me. Also you must of had nice weather today to be out, we had a sunny day and after work i drove around and i actually now have 70 miles on the new one..LOL..
Okay big question and maybe i should make a new topic on this.. How do you guys break in your car? hard? soft? the way your going to drive it? thanks Tony
Okay big question and maybe i should make a new topic on this.. How do you guys break in your car? hard? soft? the way your going to drive it? thanks Tony
The GHL's are louder than the stock Ti's especially at WOT, deeper more muscular sound, not as raspy as stock mufflers, but not outrageously loud like the SLP Loudmouths or the Borla XR-1 race system, and like I said before
NO RESONANCE! And I do not have a divider in the trunk to quiet it down.
I really didn't break in my car for very long. Started hammering it after the 1st 50 miles or so, but kept the tach under 6K until I had about 500 miles on the car. After that, ***** to the wall whenever the opportunity arose. :D
I did change the oil at 2500 miles just for safety's sake. :blueangel:
I am a firm believer in driving it hard right from the get-go, I have always done that, hell what are warranties for right? And when I say hard, I mean
blasting it over the mountain passes around here and powershifting up through the gears whenever I want as long as no Cops are looking. :lol:
After all, it is a race car in street clothing! :thumbs: :hurray:
Enjoy :cheers: Jim L.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 178
From: Jacksonville, NC
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (ZZOOM06)
Yep, wasn't real clear as to what I have on the counter. I have the CLB from JimX waiting to be installed. Oh, I assure you, my car escapes the garage regardless of the weather because I love to drive her. Where is the best place to get these GHL's I keep hearing about. Thanks,
Jim Kay
Jim Kay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 178
From: Jacksonville, NC
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (Corpsvette)
CLB is in and was fairly painless. Took about 30 minutes. Would have been much less except I had a metal retaining clip fall off and had not idea where it came from. Glad that worry is done and over with. Gotta go drive. This cold weather has got to go back up north and stay there.
Jim K.
Jim K.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
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From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (ZZOOM06)
An admistration message was sent to the dealers from GM requesting any info on column locks locking while driving because NHTSA has reopened a case.This is not new though,the message was sent to the dealers about a year ago or more. :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Re: C5 Column Lock Problems (ZZOOM06)
I had an 01 that locked up 3x. On the automatics they disable the lock but they cannot due it legally on the M6 due to federal regs. Check NHTSA website as there is an ongoing investigation on the coplumn lock.
