CLB is not the answer
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
CLB is not the answer
My column locked in my 98 A4 and I read a lot of post's reguarding the CLB so I installed one. 
So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes.
It about drove me nuts, one of the codes was a 2721 which means the passcode is incorrect.
So I tried to do a key re-learn, well with this POS installed it will not do it.
Last night I installed the factory recall parts to correct the problem, it consistes of a different lock plate and a harness that completes the connection through the lock rod drive motor and also a new ingition switch.
So guess what now? Well everything works just fine
So before you wast money on a CLB do it the right way!!!!!!!!!!!
So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes.
It about drove me nuts, one of the codes was a 2721 which means the passcode is incorrect.
So I tried to do a key re-learn, well with this POS installed it will not do it.
Last night I installed the factory recall parts to correct the problem, it consistes of a different lock plate and a harness that completes the connection through the lock rod drive motor and also a new ingition switch.
So guess what now? Well everything works just fine
So before you wast money on a CLB do it the right way!!!!!!!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek OH
Originally Posted by corvettebob1
My column locked in my 98 A4 and I read a lot of post's reguarding the CLB so I installed one.
So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes.
It about drove me nuts, one of the codes was a 2721 which means the passcode is incorrect.
So I tried to do a key re-learn, well with this POS installed it will not do it.
Last night I installed the factory recall parts to correct the problem, it consistes of a different lock plate and a harness that completes the connection through the lock rod drive motor and also a new ingition switch.
So guess what now? Well everything works just fine
So before you wast money on a CLB do it the right way!!!!!!!!!!!
So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes.
It about drove me nuts, one of the codes was a 2721 which means the passcode is incorrect.
So I tried to do a key re-learn, well with this POS installed it will not do it.
Last night I installed the factory recall parts to correct the problem, it consistes of a different lock plate and a harness that completes the connection through the lock rod drive motor and also a new ingition switch.
So guess what now? Well everything works just fine
So before you wast money on a CLB do it the right way!!!!!!!!!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
97-98 are known to be finicky about the CLB. The vast majority of guys here running one have had no problems, me included.
I have read of several members getting repeated lockups even after two and three GM "fixes".
Best of luck with your's.
I have read of several members getting repeated lockups even after two and three GM "fixes".
Best of luck with your's.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Framingham MA
[QUOTE=corvettebob1]My column locked in my 98 A4 and I read a lot of post's reguarding the CLB so I installed one. So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes. QUOTE]
I think that this should be taken as one more reminder that those of us with '97s and '98s should proceed with caution and not jump in a mad panic onto the CLB bandwagon without some serious thought.
Monk :flag :flag :flag
So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes. QUOTE]I think that this should be taken as one more reminder that those of us with '97s and '98s should proceed with caution and not jump in a mad panic onto the CLB bandwagon without some serious thought.
Monk :flag :flag :flag
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Peabody MA
After about 2 weeks of having the CLB in my car ('97) I'm now getting engine mis-fires... plugs are good, wires are good.... should I try taking the CLB out? I'm not sure if thats the cause... I wasn't thinking it was, but should I try to remove it? Any ideas what these 'other guys' were having as problems?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
The following is a post of a GM Mechanic from another site, I for one will take my chances and NOT install the CLB.
From a professional service standpoint, NO, it is not a recommended course of action. This is due to the fact that the column lock bypass does NOT correctly produce an electrical load on certain parts of the BCM during functioning. This, in turn, can create intermittant codes and problems with the BCM down the line.
Normally, if a customer insists on having the column lock disabled on the 6 speed, then it is suggested to install the GM kit for the automatics. This will correctly load the internal relays and create a reliable repair.
From a Chevrolet point of view, the recall 01044a solved the problem with those cars involved. And the 04006 recall that is being implemented will repair the rest of the conditions.
AS LONG AS THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED PER RECALL GUIDELINES
Unfortunately, sometimes other things happen, and there are people who blame the design. While it does leave some things to be desired, this is why the revised 01044a and the new 04006 recalls have been implemented. Nothing is perfect, but for the greater percentage of c5 that are repaired, they do not have a repeat condition.
From a professional service standpoint, NO, it is not a recommended course of action. This is due to the fact that the column lock bypass does NOT correctly produce an electrical load on certain parts of the BCM during functioning. This, in turn, can create intermittant codes and problems with the BCM down the line.
Normally, if a customer insists on having the column lock disabled on the 6 speed, then it is suggested to install the GM kit for the automatics. This will correctly load the internal relays and create a reliable repair.
From a Chevrolet point of view, the recall 01044a solved the problem with those cars involved. And the 04006 recall that is being implemented will repair the rest of the conditions.
AS LONG AS THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED PER RECALL GUIDELINES
Unfortunately, sometimes other things happen, and there are people who blame the design. While it does leave some things to be desired, this is why the revised 01044a and the new 04006 recalls have been implemented. Nothing is perfect, but for the greater percentage of c5 that are repaired, they do not have a repeat condition.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by corvettebob1
My column locked in my 98 A4 and I read a lot of post's reguarding the CLB so I installed one.
So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes.
It about drove me nuts, one of the codes was a 2721 which means the passcode is incorrect.
So I tried to do a key re-learn, well with this POS installed it will not do it.
Last night I installed the factory recall parts to correct the problem, it consistes of a different lock plate and a harness that completes the connection through the lock rod drive motor and also a new ingition switch.
So guess what now? Well everything works just fine
So before you wast money on a CLB do it the right way!!!!!!!!!!!
So within a week the car started throwing all kinds of codes and not starting sometimes.
It about drove me nuts, one of the codes was a 2721 which means the passcode is incorrect.
So I tried to do a key re-learn, well with this POS installed it will not do it.
Last night I installed the factory recall parts to correct the problem, it consistes of a different lock plate and a harness that completes the connection through the lock rod drive motor and also a new ingition switch.
So guess what now? Well everything works just fine
So before you wast money on a CLB do it the right way!!!!!!!!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
From: "In a van down by the river" CO
Sure, the GM fix is desirable. However, when GM has a recall campaign open for only a certain time, some people with potential problems are left out. When my column in my used 99 FRC took a dump, I went to two different dealers. Both said that the recall work had already be done and the campaign had been closed. When I asked what they could do, they both said that I'd have to foot the bill. Needless to say, I ordered the CLB and haven't had an issue yet with MY POS.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
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CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
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I believe in the Beer Fairy
Sorry to hear of your troubles...mine has been on the car for 4 years...NEVER a problem
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Framingham MA
Originally Posted by pewter99
Sorry to hear of your troubles...mine has been on the car for 4 years...NEVER a problem
Can folks with '98s and problem-free CLBs let us know their production date and/or VIN so that we can try to detemine a compatibility break point?
Monk :flag :flag :flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,446
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
I had a CLB on the 98 coupe I used to have for about 2 years with NO problems at all. I have a 99 roadster now that has the CLB for about 3 years now with NO problems. Go figure.
Tom
Tom
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Framingham MA
Originally Posted by TCW
I had a CLB on the 98 coupe I used to have for about 2 years with NO problems at all. I have a 99 roadster now that has the CLB for about 3 years now with NO problems. Go figure. Tom
Tom Monk :flag :flag :flag
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 290
Likes: 8
From: 60 miles from BGKY
Originally Posted by Monk
Well, there goes my theory right out the door!
Monk :flag :flag :flag
Monk :flag :flag :flag
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by 99 White FRC
The following is a post of a GM Mechanic from another site, I for one will take my chances and NOT install the CLB.
From a professional service standpoint, NO, it is not a recommended course of action. This is due to the fact that the column lock bypass does NOT correctly produce an electrical load on certain parts of the BCM during functioning. This, in turn, can create intermittant codes and problems with the BCM down the line.
From a professional service standpoint, NO, it is not a recommended course of action. This is due to the fact that the column lock bypass does NOT correctly produce an electrical load on certain parts of the BCM during functioning. This, in turn, can create intermittant codes and problems with the BCM down the line.
Why have we not heard of anyone with a bad BCM due to the installation of a CLB? In his complete quote (you didn't get all of it), he claims he's fixing bad BCM's all the time on CLB-equipped cars, yet in my 2 years on this forum, can't recall ever reading about a single case of this happening...why is that?
He also claimed he's not seen many instances of repeat column lock failures after the GM fixes were done...yet those stories are not uncommon here.
I take his advice with a grain of salt. He is knowledgeable, but he's obviously representing GM, and has to act accordingly.
If the CLB did indeed cause the problems he's supposedly fixing "all the time", we'd certainly know about it by now.