...because mine was going to lock up tomorrow... I just know it!

I installed a Corvettes of Houston bypass today, using the 97Vette.com instructions. Man, that guy sure documented everything perfectly. I think it took about 40 minutes including trying to a find a screw I dropped, and finding the right connector among the MASS of wires, which was unbelievable. It was during that 40 minutes I had time to really think about this computerized steering lock "miracle" invention.

Now, I must make a comment to the numbskull whose idea it was to make such a steering lock: You're an idiot!

I mean, think about it. For eons, cars have had mechanical steering locks. Now, here comes a fully computerized car like the C5. Isn't it cool that you can tune nearly everything with software? Yes. Is it cool that a computer controls all the lights, memory and other gadgets? Yes. Is it cool that it has computer-controlled Active Handling/Traction Control and ABS brakes? Well, yeah, because a computer NEEDS to control such things.

But, and that's a big BUTT to the lame-brain techno-geek who raised his hand during a C5 development meeting and said, "Hey, since almost everything else is computerized, why don't we computerize the steering lock?"

Now, I own a software company, and I just don't get it. The only time you re-invent the wheel is if you need/want to make something better. So, Mr. Lame-Brain, tell me how computerizing the steering lock will improve it? I mean, will it make it any stronger? No. Will it make the car more theft-proof? No. So, why do it? Were there not enough R&D costs in the C5, and you were under-budget? I think not. So, if a mechanical steering lock passed government anti-theft requirements all those years, why computerize it?

In my eyes, only two reasons could be possible for such a dumb-a$$ decision:

1) The engineers got high and then got carried away with computerizing stuff

2) GM made a bad corporate decision in thinking that they might make more money because electric parts ALWAYS fail or wear out, and it was a way to make more money down the road

Although my steering lock never got stuck, I did see the "pull key, wait 10 seconds..." message once before I found this forum. I attributed it to a dirty resistor in the key. But, once I read about all the horror stories here, and from others with Vettes who experienced the problem, I've always been worried. But, now that my CLB is installed and I had time to think about this whole issue, can someone please point me to that link to the gov't site so I can add my two cents to the "thread" someone started a the NTSA so I can be sure to participate in the inevitable class action lawsuit that will arise when people die unnecessarily when a C5's steering locks up getting off a freeway off-ramp in a busy part of town near a school at 3pm, and can't brake or downshift because the car has no power or fuel left?

Thank you, and my prayers are with the innocent

 

How much does a CLB cost? I have a 98 and I read something earlier about them not always working with a 98, so any more recommendations?

 

Don't forget that the bypass can damage your BCM also. It does happen rarely and has been documented.

 

Good move on the CLB. I had not had any problems with mine, but I too went ahead and installed the bypass. No sense worrying about it leaving me stranded somewhere. I agree with you that the column lock was one of those things that could have been done a different way and could have prevented all these problems that owners are having.

Sphynxnx - a CLB runs between $50-60 and can be purchased at many forum vendors. Not sure of any other method to fix the column lock other than a computer reprogram, but that doesn't always solve the problem.

 

Guys, one question though. The C5 that I am about to buy showed a recall for the column lock still needed to be done. Since it's a recall, shouldn't the recall cure the problem or is this something else?

Thanks,

Mark

 

Great, a class action lawsuit. By the time that gets resolved the C10's will have been out for a few years and the only ones that will have profited will be the lawyers. Cars will cost more as a result.

 

Check out GM's own CLB, the "Harness K". Do a search, there are threads on it, and it should work for your year.

 

...maybe not. The recall ensures that the steering wheel will never lock while the vehicle is in motion (more than a few MPH) and the technician checks that the plate clearance is sufficient. Grabbing your steering wheel while entering or exiting your C5 will surely lead to column lock. NOT doing so is a good way to keep the lock working properly - my lock still works great and I NEVER abuse the steering wheel. So far, I've been starting my car almost every day for more than three years and hope to go another 10 before I install my bypass. Hopefully by then we'll know whether all those who have installed the CLBs have had to replace their BCMs. Only time will tell.

 

Welcome to Column General...

 

Not quite true..... the recall ensures that the fuel will be shut off if the column locks -- at least on the M6 Vettes. The wheel could still lock while the vehicle is in motion (although, not very likely).

 

If you got an A4 transmission, then yes the recall will fix it, they will remove the lock plate all together,,if you have an M6 good luck, all the recall does is update the PCM to shut off fuel if the colum locks, and the tech will check the clearnce of the lock pins/plate, install a new wire harness and that is it..at least that's what the recall on my 01 M6 was.. so it could still lock up.

 

Actually, Yes. While I completely agree with everything else you have said, and also would add that this geek is the same guy who designed the C5 fuel gauge, I believe the electric column lock did improve anti-theft. The old mechanical steering column devices could be punched out in less than 15 seconds, and the wires located that would start the car (granted, the Corvette has also had the resistor chip on the key for quite a while -- which also helps anti-theft). The pin and gear-toothed wheel is a lot harder, if not impossible to remove without removing the steering wheel (incl. airbag), etc.

Joe Avg-Crook doesn't like to spend that much time stealing a vehicle.

 

I'm quite confident that the CLBs in themselves are not going to cause BCMs to fail. Of course, any bad part can cause any computer to fail. But, like most things electric, if the part is bad to begin with, you know right away, but if it works when initially installed, and continues to work in the "on" position for a few hours (which would show a heat meltdown of the unit if it were of bad quality), then it's good to go. There are plenty of forum members and more out there with these units, of different manufacture, too, and I've never heard of anyone saying they burned out their BCM because of one, let alone heard people even mention a BCM going bad.

Now, I will concede that ANYTHING electrical can go bad over time, but I would think there would be more complaints about CLB problems than there are. In fact, lets' get some feedback from the forum, shall we?

1) If you have a non-GM CLB, what year is your C5?

2) How long has the CLB been on your car?

3) What problems have you had that you might contribute to your CLB?

Maybe this will help us determine if CLBs are indeed the correct fix for thesteering lock issue.

 

You're right, just getting past the alarm, resistor key and mechanical lock alone makes vettes like the C4 already something Joe Avg-Crook would be better off avoiding. And, most of the time, cars with that level of security are usually towed away, not hot-wired and driven off. So, practically speaking, in my opinion, there's not much difference between the electronic and mechanical steering lock on the C4s and 5s, given all the other things these cars have to deter theft, you know what I mean? And, let's face it, if I'm going after even a C4, I'm not Joe Avg-Crook, because if I am, I'm not going to get far with it. I have to be a pro, and if I'm a pro, I'm taking it to my chop shop for later reconstruction and resale, not a joy ride, so I'm towing it.

 

I got my 'oo mn6 on Aug 7. I received my CLB today fom Corvettes of Houston. I'm not a mechanic, but it is very simple to install. Meanwhile when I was shopping for my car, I was asking if they had a CLB or not. Why would someone NOT have one???? It is a 57.95 insurance policy against getting stuck at the worst possible time or as some say; crashing your baby, and/or worse yet having your car flat-bedded to a strang dealership that may treat you and your baby badly, and cause you to rent a Motel while you wait for them to "fix" your car which isn't going to really fix it anyway?????
If you have a Vette, you need a CLB, get it?

 

Uh oh. In about 14 hours, it will be seven days since my steering column locked-up while driving. I just got the bypass and was depending on being able to open-up the steering column to connect the bypass then rip-out the lock so I could drive it home. Screwing with trying to remove the steering wheel while the car is stranded on the side of the road (well, it's almost half-way into someone's yard that I don't know) doesn't sound like something I might be able to pull-off. GM has gone the extra mile to make this problem as much of a nightmare as possible.

 

Many folks on this forum are great at performing that operation, but after looking at the procedure in the Shop Manual, I decided to get the CLB before mine locks up. If you decide to give it a try, we wish you the best of luck, and be careful during the airbag disassy.

 

 

This is what I found on another forum and the sites Corvette Tech also confirmed this information to be true:

Also, one GM Engineer told me the aftermarket bypasses can effect the BCMs, by causing the two relays soldered to the BCM boards to malfunction. Thus giving messages such as Serv. Column Lock and could eventually damage the relays and trash the BCM. The issue had 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. Again these are the Engineers words, not mine.

 

The CLB has been a great investment for me. I have been running with one for over three years now.