Having steering column lock disabled
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Having steering column lock disabled
All:
I had a steering column lock the other day - it's in for the recall service now. But, since I own a '99 6-speed manual, this "feature" won't get deactivated. Rather, the way I understand it, it will merely shut off the flow of fuel to the engine, whereby preventing the car from running.
I called a Chevy dealership in my area (D.C.) and they told me that there are campaigns ongoing for CERTAIN automobiles and that I'd have to bring in my Vette and have him run a "vis" check. He said that these campaigns will allow a dealership to completely disable the column lock, even on manual transmission Vettes.
My question here is: is this true? Does anyone here in the D.C. area know of a service department that would work on something like this for me? I am aware, by the way, of the CLB fix - but I'm weary of taking a screwdriver to the inside of my car.
Thanks guys. By the way, I just bought my car on Monday.
I had a steering column lock the other day - it's in for the recall service now. But, since I own a '99 6-speed manual, this "feature" won't get deactivated. Rather, the way I understand it, it will merely shut off the flow of fuel to the engine, whereby preventing the car from running.
I called a Chevy dealership in my area (D.C.) and they told me that there are campaigns ongoing for CERTAIN automobiles and that I'd have to bring in my Vette and have him run a "vis" check. He said that these campaigns will allow a dealership to completely disable the column lock, even on manual transmission Vettes.
My question here is: is this true? Does anyone here in the D.C. area know of a service department that would work on something like this for me? I am aware, by the way, of the CLB fix - but I'm weary of taking a screwdriver to the inside of my car.
Thanks guys. By the way, I just bought my car on Monday.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,340
Likes: 24,779
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
They do not completely disable the column lock on manual cars. They look to see how the column lock pin is adjusted and if needed, put in some new parts. Then they do the computer flash to shut off the fuel so it can't lock while driving. Best bet is to get the CLB - it is not hard to install at all.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Best bet is to get the CLB - it is not hard to install at all.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Best bet is to get the CLB - it is not hard to install at all.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,342
Likes: 824
From: Naples Florida
Originally Posted by Shylor
Aftermarket bypasses can effect the BCMs, by causing the two relays soldered to the BCM boards to malfunction. Thus giving messages such as Service Column Lock and could eventually damage the relays and trash the BCM. The issue has to do with voltage to the relays, the bypasses reduce it versas the OE voltage and reduced voltage on a relay contact can cause it to stick.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati ohio
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by Shylor
Aftermarket bypasses can effect the BCMs, by causing
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
I installed my bypass months ago and no problems . . . until that engineer has his head into the little black box that comes with the bypass he has no idea other than to sing the GM company line . . . If they want to take out the plate and the pin like they do with the A4 then I would take mine in . . . they are not about to do that . . . they want us to have theft protection
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by Shylor
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by Gib
I took my '01, 6-speed, in to Ourisman in Bowie, MD last Friday for a recall to fix this. Took them an hour and fifteen minutes and I was out of there. Gib
The issue here is not who can perform the "fix". As it seems, the recall doesn't actually fix the problem - rather, it absolves GM of liability by cutting off fuel to the engine when the steering column does lock. I was looking for a dealership that would actually DISABLE the steering column lock, which the recall does not do. Unless your dealership did something special, it is possible that your column may lock up again if the "feature" still exists.
To prevent this problem from happening again, that feature needs to be taken out of the vehicle, and the CLB unit seems to simulate the job quite well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 5,411
Likes: 2
From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
Originally Posted by Shylor
Aftermarket bypasses can effect the BCMs, by causing the two relays soldered to the BCM boards to malfunction. Thus giving messages such as Service Column Lock and could eventually damage the relays and trash the BCM. The issue has to do with voltage to the relays, the bypasses reduce it versas the OE voltage and reduced voltage on a relay contact can cause it to stick.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
If the GM engineer knows so much about what the bypass can do, why don't they know enough to fix the original problem? It also makes no sense that reduced voltage would cause the relay to stick.. sounds like total BS and not worth repeating.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by C5~Missle
Nothing to think about... I had the CLB in my 99 for 5 years and no issues. and now in the 04 Z.
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Central SJ Valley, Calif
Originally Posted by Shylor
Aftermarket bypasses can effect the BCMs, by causing the two relays soldered to the BCM boards to malfunction. Thus giving messages such as Service Column Lock and could eventually damage the relays and trash the BCM. The issue has to do with voltage to the relays, the bypasses reduce it versas the OE voltage and reduced voltage on a relay contact can cause it to stick.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
This was told by a GM Engineer to someone on another forum. Just something to think about.
Sounds like a bunch of lawyer double speak to me. I've had my CLB install since the fall of 2000 and it has worked perfectly. The peace of mind of not having this well documented problem hanging over my head every time I start my car is well worth the cost of the bypass. It is easy to install to boot.
I just tossed my recall notice in the trash since mine is already fixed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Originally Posted by sdnet
I appreciate the response, Shylor, but I highly suspect that the GM guy will generally frown on workable solutions that don't GM's own guys.
Not saying the CLB does this to every car. But according to a Corvette Tech on another forum he has seen the damage these can do to the cars electronics. I only posted it as something to think about, not that I agree with it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by Shylor
Not saying the CLB does this to every car. But according to a Corvette Tech on another forum he has seen the damage these can do to the cars electronics. I only posted it as something to think about, not that I agree with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
Ok I got a question.
I have only owned my '99 for a little over a year. Never had the sterring lock up yet.
How can I tell if the previous owner installed the CLB already? Where is it located and what does it look like?
I got my recall notice and figured on throwing it away. Will buy the CLB if needed.
Mine is a MN6
I have only owned my '99 for a little over a year. Never had the sterring lock up yet.
How can I tell if the previous owner installed the CLB already? Where is it located and what does it look like?
I got my recall notice and figured on throwing it away. Will buy the CLB if needed.
Mine is a MN6
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Originally Posted by HawkIVette
Ok I got a question.
I have only owned my '99 for a little over a year. Never had the sterring lock up yet.
How can I tell if the previous owner installed the CLB already? Where is it located and what does it look like?
I got my recall notice and figured on throwing it away. Will buy the CLB if needed.
Mine is a MN6
I have only owned my '99 for a little over a year. Never had the sterring lock up yet.
How can I tell if the previous owner installed the CLB already? Where is it located and what does it look like?
I got my recall notice and figured on throwing it away. Will buy the CLB if needed.
Mine is a MN6
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Central SJ Valley, Calif
Originally Posted by HawkIVette
Ok I got a question.
I have only owned my '99 for a little over a year. Never had the sterring lock up yet.
How can I tell if the previous owner installed the CLB already? Where is it located and what does it look like?
I got my recall notice and figured on throwing it away. Will buy the CLB if needed.
Mine is a MN6
I have only owned my '99 for a little over a year. Never had the sterring lock up yet.
How can I tell if the previous owner installed the CLB already? Where is it located and what does it look like?
I got my recall notice and figured on throwing it away. Will buy the CLB if needed.
Mine is a MN6
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
Originally Posted by WWK888
Is there an echo in here???? 
Originally Posted by WWK888
Is there an echo in here????
Thanks Guys.
Thanks Guys.
I must not have the CLB then. Will order one tomorrow.