Well, I honestly didn't think it would happen to my car this soon, 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!

 

You Have Been Here Four Years
SHAME ON YOU..... !!!!!!

 

Sorry to hear your assumptions on Corvettes engineering practises didn't
pan out and that the dreaded CL bug got ya. I held out for a while before
being convinced I couldn't win with this lose-lose issue.

Good luck with the fix and have fun installing your CLB!

 

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

 

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

 

Come on people, for all the jack we spend on these cars, why would you not put a CLB in? It 50 to 60 bucks and you never have to worry about it again.

If you drive a 6spd - just do it.

Of course, I didn't put mine in until my friends car locked on him. Get this - It locked on him the first start after returning from the dealer to have the recall done!

Buy the CLB and install it.

 

Serves ya right!

My CLB was put in 10 minutes after I received it!

 

How can I tell if the CLB has been done on my 2000 mn6?

 

You forgot to nock on wood.

 

If you can turn the steering wheel without the key in the ignition, either the bypass is installed or the lock is stuck in the open position. Of course, you could always remove the knee bolster and see if the bypass is module is there.

 

If you can move the steering wheel with the ignition off, chances are you have the bypass. You can also hear the lock motor when you turn the ignition on and off - it makes a little 'errrrk' sound.

Sorry, Dave - you had ample warning!

 

Took my car to the dealer today for an unrelated problem. The service manager told me that there was a recall on my car concerning the column lock. The fix was to by pass the feature.

My Service receipt reads as follows: "04006 Product Safety Tech(s):404 --Electronic Column Lock System on certain vehicles, when ignition switch is turned to lock position. The system prevents turning the steering system. When steering system is locked, the fuel supply to vehicle is sut off...Disable the Electronic column lock."

This may be old news to some, but It seems you no longer have to spend money to bypass column lock.

SC

P.S. My Car is NOT in warranty. (2K1 coupe)

 

If you have an A4, you're correct. If you have an M6, don't be too secure in the recall as it does nothing to prevent the column from locking. It just ensures that if the column locks, the fuel is cut off.

 

The even older news to you, that fix is not really a fix if you own a 6-speed. People getting the column lock service are still getting column lock. The A4 is a different story because the service recall removes the column lock completely. So, which transmission do you have? As always, I make my claim to the saying "Reading is fundemental". I bought my CLB the day I got my brand spankin new car.

 

If the CLB manufacturers would have simply named it "Column Lock Stinger", This wouldn't have happened to Dave, as he would have already installed it

 

Good to know...I do have an MN6....My dealer told me it was bypassed. Is there a way to tell besides turning the steering wheel when ignition is off and key is pulled? (my wheel will turn now). Sorry to get everyone's hopes up.

SC.

 

Welcome to the club. Sorry about your luck. I too was struck by this about a week ago and also had the clb sitting at home You'd think us MN6 guys would know better, grab handle or not don't matter

 

[QUOTE=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. QUOTE]


Well Duuuuuuhhhhhhhh!!!!

 

Get the bypass or you'll be next! [/QUOTE]

 

Dave preaching against the CLB--->
Dave after he gets bitten by CL--> :bb
C5 General's reaction when told--->