Hi,

In reading all of the CLB threads it seems that many of us are undecided if we should; ignore the recall, go to a dealer for the fix, or buy the CLB. In my opinion, if stories started to surface about the column locking while driving eveyone undecided would decide very quickly.

So ... are there any stories about the column locking while driving? Is it even possible?

Thanks!!

 

I think that there has only been a couple case of lockup while driving.

 

I never had any problem deciding about the CLB.

I've put the same CLB in two different FRCs and have had over 140K miles of carefree, hassle free, error code free miles of driving.

I have no intention of having the recall done on my car and risk having GM screw what I already have....no problems.

 

Cajun 99 ... thanks for the reply ... I wish all of us have 140K miles of worry free drivng like you!

However -- i do not want to start yet another "Get a CLB / Don't get a CLB thread" ... I simply wanted to start a thread for those of us on the fence to find out if there are any horror stories about locking while driving ... very different situation from locking in one's garage or driveway ...

 

According to reports filed with the NHTSA there were over 100 reports filed of locking up while moving. GM convinced them that it was the case of drivers of Vette's not knowing the column was still locked from the start and driving that way. Including a few that locked up at over 65mph. So the NHTSA gave in to GM's line of thought. Now what happens when another M6 locks up with the flash being done. If it is reported to the NHTSA then maybe they can give GM a waiver to remove the lock like on the A4. Hopefully no one else will lock up while moving after the recall but if it does happen I hope that person reports it to the NHTSA and mentions it here.

 

There were postings regarding the steering wheel locking up while in motion over four years ago...that along with all the rest of the crap regarding these poor steering locks was the reason I went with a CLB way back when. I'm not looking to start anything about a CLB...it's a personal choice...albeit a "no brainer" for the owners of six-speed C5s, even with GM's so-called "fix", which does nothing to keep the wheel from locking. They've had years to get this straight and the best they can do is check the lock plate clearance and a reflash. Bwaahaahaa!!!!

Good luck with your decision.

 

Thats one risk I would not take. With a 6 speed, for me its the CLB.

 

I highly doubt that it locks up while moving. I checked the NHSTA web site. A lot of what is reported there involves allegations . You are still innocent here in the USA until proven otherwise. Whether that is a civil complaint or a criminal indictment. A BIG difference between having a complaint finally adjudicated versus just allegations.

I remember well the allegations against Volvo that their accellerator stuck. Not one of those cases were ever proven. A lot of hype about moving lock ups but I have no proof one way or the other.

I have installed a bypass and I have no errant codes being thrown. I also rolled my car down the drive last night without starting the engine . . . I could steer it making room for another car without going into the house for the keys.

I just received my letter from GM for my MN6 2004.... I filed that away

 

It is more than allegations. That being said. You can not post links to NHTSA documents concerning locking at speed, accident reports, or reports of column lock causing fatalities, without that post being removed, as it was with my post. GM continues to deny that it has ever caused an accident, or fatality. A matter I dispute. They even admit to NHTSA that a Vette locked in motion at the Bowling Green plant that they were testing, but they will never admit it in public. They are without sin in this matter. Protect yourself and do the A4 plate install, or the CLB. It's the only way you can be safe. GM sure as heck is not going to help you.

Okay flame suit on, okay Troy delete away.

 

I read the letter describing the above event when it was first posted and I am curious as to why the link was deleted? Was there something wrong with link, or was it deleted on purpose? If so, why?

 

That's exactly what scares me also. Don't want to be driving and have it lock on me. I've seen a couple of threads here that described this happening. One was a week after he had the recall done. He took it back and they worked on it again and told him it will never happen again. But didn't tell him what they did to ensure this. And his lock still locks when stopped. I can't believe all the secrecy in all this. To bad they can't come clean on the subject. Must be a money thing!!

 

Perhaps you could copy and paste the letter into your post so everyone can read it. That way we don't have to worry about the link being deleted. The letter does shed some interesting light on the subject.

 

I have no interest in flames. That serves no useful purpose.

Facts : about 240,000 C5s built.

Facts : very small % of such failures.

Unfortunately the average American expectation is for 100% product safety . . . an unrealistic expectation. Everyone who wants to flame can certainly attack GM. Product failures may not be systemic. It makes for a lot of bandwidth which never is very effective. I am just amazed that folks still do not take their own action and get rid of the potential hazard themselves. An immutable law of human nature : once someone makes up their minds you are never going to change them. Some Iconoclasts and some contrarians out there. Take your own action and be sure of it. Once you are on notice you need to do something. Quit complaining about GM and JUST DO IT . . . get a column lock bypass.

 

A few owners have reported it locking up while driving. I have not had the problem at all with this car (did have the problem with my '99). Even though I have the CLB installed, I think I will take it off, get the recall done, then put it back on.

 

Ummm...Maybe I'm missing something here. So, you did post the link to the "report" showing allegations/possible lockups while vehicles were moving? And, if you did, the mods deleted it? If that is the case, I'm confused why it would be deleted. If anything, that should be info that we would ALL want to know about, jmo.

(And no, I haven't installed my CLB yet. I am getting GM's crappy "fix", and then installing the CLB because I don't trust GM. However, I would still like to see these 'reports').

 

Thanks all ... good discussion ... as other's have requested if anyone has a link to NHTSA web site that details lock ups in motion or actual stories of lock ups in motion this would be great.

Obviously there are risks we all accept every day ... There is a risk of getting hit or killed with no mehcinal malfucntions but we all drive anyway ... the question is; is the risk of lock up while drivivng similar to normal risks we accept, or is it more like 1 in 1000 vettes lock while drivivng ...

 

There are several areas to search the NHTSA public web site.
If you search the ODI Office of Defect Investigation. That site gathers information from public complaints, GM files, and GM suppliers.

Here is an example of a customer complaint involving a crash. This is the raw report. Not substantiated in this report that is was a defect in the column lock, you can draw your own conclusions.
http://152.122.48.12/prepos/files/Ar...-853726-YN.PDF

A recall is the result, in part, from the ODI investigations.

The next letter is interesting to note that a Bowling Green plant employee reported a column locking with the engine still running. Remember in GM's press release early this year, said they had NO reports of this happening with a vehicle in motion.

http://152.122.48.12/prepos/files/Ar...031-17059P.pdf

I know we have beat the horse to death. If you want information about the complaints go here and search. for yourself.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...fectSearch.cfm

Consumer complaints are the most interesting.
You need to search for "STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE"

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...aintsearch.cfm


The bottom line is do the CLB after the recall. If you have a MN6, I would strongly urge you to get the A4 plate installed. With that plate, there is no way the column lock could happen with the vehicle in motion. Are these events rare? yes. Are you willing to risk your car? life? family? I'm not. It's not the percentage that bothers me, it's the possibility. With that I'm all done addressing this issue. Sorry for the rant.

Kindest regards,

John

 

I'm sure that if you bothered to look, you would probably find your links in this MERGED thread of other column lock threads..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=871631
the post above mine gives all the links ...

 

Thanks Grumpy, but that's not the post I'm referring to.

 

I'm not sure that GM is denying it at all. There is language in the recal that states that the column could lock up at speed.

I quote the recall document in the NHSTA web site " ALSO WHEN THE CONTROL SYSTEM SHOWS THAT THE ECL IS UNLOCKED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, THE LOCK PIN LOCATION CAN VARY. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE LOCK PLATE RELATIVE TO THE SWITCH TRANSITION POINT, THERE COULD THEN BE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LOCK PLATE AND PIN CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHILE DRIVING ."