Has anyone ELSE beat column lock?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
Has anyone ELSE beat column lock?
I finally got column lock about 2 months ago. I have a 2002 Z06 and thought I might be beyond that. But apparently not.
I was parked at my wife's place of work, got in the car. Turned it on and got the message. Turn of the engine, take out the keys and step away from the car... or whatever it says.
I turned off the car, waited (probably less than 10 seconds) and tried again. No luck.
I saw red.
Infuriated, I decided I was driving the car home. Period.
So, I wrenched the steering wheel violently back and forth in an effort to break the locking pin in the steering wheel.
I wasn't able to, but when I went to restart, the column lock released.
I have had this happen once since, and the same method (calculated this time, instead of rage issues) released the steering wheel.
It has not recurred in over a month.
Might I have loosened the pin receiver slot enough to have made it easier for the pin to disengage now?
I'll let you know if the situation worsens.
I was parked at my wife's place of work, got in the car. Turned it on and got the message. Turn of the engine, take out the keys and step away from the car... or whatever it says.
I turned off the car, waited (probably less than 10 seconds) and tried again. No luck.
I saw red.
Infuriated, I decided I was driving the car home. Period.
So, I wrenched the steering wheel violently back and forth in an effort to break the locking pin in the steering wheel.
I wasn't able to, but when I went to restart, the column lock released.
I have had this happen once since, and the same method (calculated this time, instead of rage issues) released the steering wheel.
It has not recurred in over a month.
Might I have loosened the pin receiver slot enough to have made it easier for the pin to disengage now?
I'll let you know if the situation worsens.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Ashburn VA
My 97 did that just once, then again, then again, and again, and again, you get the point. I was usually able to break it free relatively quickly and worry free until it finaly took me like two hours to break it loose once. Ordered CLB next day, never broke a sweat again 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 5,169
Likes: 6
From: Greenville SC
I was afraid of that...
Originally Posted by NoelsTorchredZ
My 97 did that just once, then again, then again, and again, and again, you get the point. I was usually able to break it free relatively quickly and worry free until it finaly took me like two hours to break it loose once. Ordered CLB next day, never broke a sweat again
One other thing I do, is try my very best NOT to set column lock if possible.
Maybe I can trade the thing before it becomes a problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: D*ck ina Box
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Be sure to post when it locks up on ya next time, far from home....
There are two camps here, people that prevent the issue from happening and those waiting for it to lock on them.
There are two camps here, people that prevent the issue from happening and those waiting for it to lock on them.
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I've had my '00 for better than 3 1/2 years and never had a column lock problem. Just installed the CLB to ensure that it stays that way.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: The Rock Arkansas
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Several here have freed the lock with the violent swing method you mentioned. It is certainly not a fix. I tried this, resetting fuses to no avail. Next day I went back to the car and the lock released correctly. Get the bypass and fix the problem permanently. 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
Originally Posted by CAPN17
Ever hear of the CLB, if not your will hear from a flatbed one of these times. No one beats one of the Generals booby traps for long, then the General has the last laugh.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
By violently manipulating the steering wheel you have started the process of pin misalignment... IF you dont put in the No brainer CL bypass you will sooner or later be stranded.. you just got a warning with the first column lock failure.,... you just put another nail in the column lock problem.. by forcing the pin... sure you got released but you are now deeper in schit...
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 611
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From: Benvenidos!!
I just picked up mycar in
PA on Sat night. Drove it home to FL. I'm assuming it has not been done because the column locks. So that's what I was told. I plan on doing it before it does me, but where's the best place to buy one and how much is is it to have one installed by a mechanic?
Thanks.
p.s. save the wave
PA on Sat night. Drove it home to FL. I'm assuming it has not been done because the column locks. So that's what I was told. I plan on doing it before it does me, but where's the best place to buy one and how much is is it to have one installed by a mechanic?
Thanks.
p.s. save the wave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: Longview Texas
After reading all the posts here, I wasn't going to let it happen to me the 1st time. Ordered & installed the CLB a few weeks ago. Why take the chance when the fix is inexpensive and it takes very little time to install (35 minutes start to finish)? Just buy one and install it. Just my .02 .....
