Column-lock hits Dave68
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
What's Next
Just had my A4 CL recall done today. Sure hope we don't get a brake recall and GM disables our brakes! 
Really poor engineering and customer relations to disable things instead of fixing them properly. 
Really poor engineering and customer relations to disable things instead of fixing them properly.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Corvette SSX
After all the preaching you did against the bypass and swearing that it would never happen to you since you treat your car right, all I can say is 
I did have more than three years of having an extra anti-theft device in the car while I was conducting this experiment. I fully knew what the consequences would be and that's why I pay an extra 2 bucks per month for T-mobile roadside assistance.
Now I could've said nothing about this but then you wouldn't know how my experiment ended, now would you????
dave68
i followed your poll on this.
curious to know which clb you are going to use and why. Why not use the gm parts?
This thread, and those previous, are really making me paranoid everytime I start up!
g
i followed your poll on this.
curious to know which clb you are going to use and why. Why not use the gm parts?
This thread, and those previous, are really making me paranoid everytime I start up!
g
By the way, while driving to the dealership, I picked up a lottery ticket at a small store that is next door to them. I just found out that I won $50,000 for a 5-number pick. Does that mean I get the last laugh?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by BW1
Maaaan... I hope this is just good natured ribbing by friends! Dave didn't have to fess up on this.
Hey Dave, remember the conversation we had and I said you better install that CLB? It looks like there is no escaping the inevitable.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,799
Likes: 10
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Dave68
I didn't preach against the bypass; in fact I explicitly stated that I don't blame anyone for installing it. I did conduct two polls to try to determine if the failures were a result of temperature or other influence. In fact, the last poll I started suggested that a C5 driver can very well accelerate the point of failure by grabbing onto the steering wheel upon exit or entry. In all probability, most new owners could go years without failure if they refrained from doing this.
I did have more than three years of having an extra anti-theft device in the car while I was conducting this experiment. I fully knew what the consequences would be and that's why I pay an extra 2 bucks per month for T-mobile roadside assistance.
Now I could've said nothing about this but then you wouldn't know how my experiment ended, now would you????
I bought the C5 Solutions bypass in 2001, so I guess I could've saved my money and bought a less-expensive version recently but you know the saying: "Hindsight is 20-20." . GM will permanently fix only the automatic-tranny C5s.
By the way, while driving to the dealership, I picked up a lottery ticket at a small store that is next door to them. I just found out that I won $50,000 for a 5-number pick. Does that mean I get the last laugh?
I did have more than three years of having an extra anti-theft device in the car while I was conducting this experiment. I fully knew what the consequences would be and that's why I pay an extra 2 bucks per month for T-mobile roadside assistance.
Now I could've said nothing about this but then you wouldn't know how my experiment ended, now would you????
I bought the C5 Solutions bypass in 2001, so I guess I could've saved my money and bought a less-expensive version recently but you know the saying: "Hindsight is 20-20." . GM will permanently fix only the automatic-tranny C5s.
By the way, while driving to the dealership, I picked up a lottery ticket at a small store that is next door to them. I just found out that I won $50,000 for a 5-number pick. Does that mean I get the last laugh?
And congrats on the windfall.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,975
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By the way, while driving to the dealership, I picked up a lottery ticket at a small store that is next door to them. I just found out that I won $50,000 for a 5-number pick. Does that mean I get the last laugh?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
....time for a funny story that happened not too long ago. Driving the family van, I stopped at my kids' friends' house to pick them up one day. While I was talking to their parents, my son and his friend started monkeying around in the van. One of them yanked on the steering wheel hard enough to get it to "lock". When I came out and tried to start the van, the key wouldn't turn. I wiggled it, yelled at it, and wondered how this could happen to a family van. After talking to a locksmith, we realized what must've happened and sure enough, after rotating the wheel back and forth against the lock, while turning the key, the wheel and the ignition key unlocked. The fact that this occurance almost NEVER happens left me without a clue (or a confession) that someone locked-up the wheel.
Aye yai yai....
The moral of the story? Whether it involves a van or Corvette, don't play with your steering wheel!!!!!
Aye yai yai....
The moral of the story? Whether it involves a van or Corvette, don't play with your steering wheel!!!!!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Double Aught
I want to see that ticket, Dave.
Hey Dave... I guess I should do this mod after all.... eh??? May be you'lll help me..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
"I did have more than three years of having an extra anti-theft device in the car while I was conducting this experiment. I fully knew what the consequences would be and that's why I pay an extra 2 bucks per month for T-mobile roadside assistance. "
Lets see...12 months in a year, X 3=36 X $2 =$72
CLB-$55
However I guess in the name of science it was worth it
Just kidding...
Lets see...12 months in a year, X 3=36 X $2 =$72
CLB-$55
However I guess in the name of science it was worth it
Just kidding...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Originally Posted by Dave68
Well, I honestly didn't think it would happen to my car since I never use the steering wheel as a grab-handle, but yes, it finally struck after 1500 actuations, my column-lock actuator bit the dust. No wiggling, yanking against the stops or cajoling would get it to unlock. My battery is still strong, but that actuator just couldn't survive more than 1500 cycles.
I admit that I assumed GM engineers would've made darn sure that the actuator could go 10,000 cycles, but I guess they don't always follow Standard Engineering Practices. Shame on them!
The good news is that my cell phone emergency road service covered most of the flat bed tow (the driver of Anytime Towing was very careful) and the lock occured in my garage. I asked the service kingpin if he could have the A4 blocking plate installed with a waiver and he replyed that as much as he'd like to, "the lawyers would tear that document to shreds in court, should something happen. (to me)"
Besides, I do have an extended warranty and a CLB in my garage. It was an experiment that should've lasted much longer but hey, at least I can honestly say that being careful doesn't buy you much time when it comes to the mighty column-lock demon.
Get the bypass or you'll be next!
I admit that I assumed GM engineers would've made darn sure that the actuator could go 10,000 cycles, but I guess they don't always follow Standard Engineering Practices. Shame on them!
The good news is that my cell phone emergency road service covered most of the flat bed tow (the driver of Anytime Towing was very careful) and the lock occured in my garage. I asked the service kingpin if he could have the A4 blocking plate installed with a waiver and he replyed that as much as he'd like to, "the lawyers would tear that document to shreds in court, should something happen. (to me)"
Besides, I do have an extended warranty and a CLB in my garage. It was an experiment that should've lasted much longer but hey, at least I can honestly say that being careful doesn't buy you much time when it comes to the mighty column-lock demon.
Get the bypass or you'll be next!
..And to think I hesitated responding to your post in that last C.L. thread w/ Mr. Leadfoot. Shame on me! But you wouldn't have installed the C.L.B. anyway, since your "experiment" wasn't complete yet!
"Alls well that ends well."
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Originally Posted by Dave68
.......Besides, I do have an extended warranty and a CLB in my garage. It was an experiment that should've lasted much longer but hey, at least I can honestly say that being careful doesn't buy you much time when it comes to the mighty column-lock demon.
Get the bypass or you'll be next!
Get the bypass or you'll be next!
