ECL recall (should I ??)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 126
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From: Baton Rouge LA
ECL recall (should I ??)
I have a 97 coupe and I just received my (ECL) electronic column lock recall notice from GM. I've been reading about this issue on the Forum
for a long time and I think I remember someone saying "If you're not
having the ECL problem don't let GM fix it. They'll screw it up'
Thought you guys could shed some light on this for me.
To ECL recall or not to ECl recall? That is the question...
Also, I find the recall details interesting:
If you have an auto trans GM removes the ECL but if you have a 6 speed they 1) reprogram the PCM and, 2) verify if there is adequate lock plate clearance and, if necessary, replace the lock plate.
(BTW) I have a 6 speed.
Thanks (in advance) for your comments
for a long time and I think I remember someone saying "If you're not
having the ECL problem don't let GM fix it. They'll screw it up'
Thought you guys could shed some light on this for me.
To ECL recall or not to ECl recall? That is the question...
Also, I find the recall details interesting:
If you have an auto trans GM removes the ECL but if you have a 6 speed they 1) reprogram the PCM and, 2) verify if there is adequate lock plate clearance and, if necessary, replace the lock plate.
(BTW) I have a 6 speed.
Thanks (in advance) for your comments
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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If you've already installed the CLB (column lock bypass) I'd toss the recall letter in the trash. If not - then you have reason to be concerned. For it to get to the point of a formal mandated NHTSA recall, there is a serious safety issue that has been documented.
So - my advice, get yourself a CLB from one of the Forum vendors and don't let the monkeys down at the dealership lay their greasy paws on your baby!
So - my advice, get yourself a CLB from one of the Forum vendors and don't let the monkeys down at the dealership lay their greasy paws on your baby!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,164
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From: Lutz FL
Ok...Here's my suggestion...Disregard any recall....Go buy a column lock bypass kit, install, and like blacksedan87 said, dont let the dealers touch your car...
I did NOT do this...My column locked...I took it to the dealer, they had it for 3 days, I got it back, and the next day, column locked again...At the dealership the last time, before I left the parking lot, the CLB kit was installed and I have been a very happy CL-less vette owner ever since!
I did NOT do this...My column locked...I took it to the dealer, they had it for 3 days, I got it back, and the next day, column locked again...At the dealership the last time, before I left the parking lot, the CLB kit was installed and I have been a very happy CL-less vette owner ever since!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 10
From: Austin, Texas
It has been discussed here that some people have experienced problems ("Remove Key, Wait 10 Seconds") on 97-99 models after installing a CLB. That does not mean you will, since some haven't.
If you have an A4, you might want to get the recall done first. I thought that part of the recall was installing a "Harness K", which is GM's version of the CLB (I could be wrong). But for the 97-99 model years, that may be a better way to go, even to the extent of buying a "Harness K" and installing it (instead of the CLB) if it is not part of the recall.
For 97-99 M6's, I am not sure if the Harness K will work. You may be forced to try the CLB in this case.
If you have an A4, you might want to get the recall done first. I thought that part of the recall was installing a "Harness K", which is GM's version of the CLB (I could be wrong). But for the 97-99 model years, that may be a better way to go, even to the extent of buying a "Harness K" and installing it (instead of the CLB) if it is not part of the recall.
For 97-99 M6's, I am not sure if the Harness K will work. You may be forced to try the CLB in this case.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Northern KY.... Just 3 hours to Las Vegas in a 767
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
If you've already installed the CLB (column lock bypass) I'd toss the recall letter in the trash. If not - then you have reason to be concerned. For it to get to the point of a formal mandated NHTSA recall, there is a serious safety issue that has been documented.
So - my advice, get yourself a CLB from one of the Forum vendors and don't let the monkeys down at the dealership lay their greasy paws on your baby!
So - my advice, get yourself a CLB from one of the Forum vendors and don't let the monkeys down at the dealership lay their greasy paws on your baby!
DING...DING...DING...We have a winner !!
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The CLB kit would be a good purchase. I had the CLB on my car, but when I got the recall notice, I had the recall done. Then I put the CLB back on.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 126
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From: Baton Rouge LA
THANKS for all the comments.
Sounds like I should buy & install the CLB kit and get reimbursed
for the kit from GM.
Included in the recall notice is a Recall Customer Reimbursement
Procedure.
DIY is always better (if you can).
Where have you guys found the best price on a CLB kit?
Sounds like I should buy & install the CLB kit and get reimbursed
for the kit from GM.
Included in the recall notice is a Recall Customer Reimbursement
Procedure.
DIY is always better (if you can).
Where have you guys found the best price on a CLB kit?
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I agree you should just buy the bypass, install it and be done with it. But don't assume you're going to get reimbursed for it. One member here posted that he did get reimbursement but, when I went through the process and called the same GM contact he did, my request was denied. It was actually a second person who called me and disallowed the payment due to the fact that it's an aftermarket product that is not GM-approved. It's similar to how some of the C6 guys are not allowed to pin their crank pulley when it walks off the crank because the fix is not sanctioned by GM.
Also, I imagine GM corporate saw a potential flood of calls coming in for reimbursement for thousands of bypasses. That would certainly fall outside the scope of their recall and would be a nightmare to oversee that in parallel with their in-house recall so I guess it's understandable.
Also, I imagine GM corporate saw a potential flood of calls coming in for reimbursement for thousands of bypasses. That would certainly fall outside the scope of their recall and would be a nightmare to oversee that in parallel with their in-house recall so I guess it's understandable.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I have a '97 and I just got the letter. I am going to talk to my dealer and explain that I do not want the recall performed and I have a bypass. Some '97-'98 do have a problem with CLB's... mine does not
Thunderracing.com seems to have a good price
Thunderracing.com seems to have a good price
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 126
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From: Baton Rouge LA
UPDATE: I relented and had the dealer fix the ECL recall
Background - The previous owner added several mods (heads, cam, intake, exhaust, etc ..also altered the 'stock' LS1 edit, changed settings (the temp fans come on, etc ...) as well as defeating the skip shift issue and many other items.
The main recall fix (for MN6) is to flash back to stock settings incorporating the ECL fix so ... the first thing I noticed when I picked up my car - skip shift issue returned
set back to stock idle
(with my cam @ stock idle the car shakes and lopes too much) also the engine temp is mid guage but previously ran a little cooler. No telling what else I'll find.
Next stop - Take the car to a local LS1 guru and have him do a
LS1 edit / Dyno tune. Oh yea, and defeat the skip shift issue
Background - The previous owner added several mods (heads, cam, intake, exhaust, etc ..also altered the 'stock' LS1 edit, changed settings (the temp fans come on, etc ...) as well as defeating the skip shift issue and many other items.
The main recall fix (for MN6) is to flash back to stock settings incorporating the ECL fix so ... the first thing I noticed when I picked up my car - skip shift issue returned
set back to stock idle (with my cam @ stock idle the car shakes and lopes too much) also the engine temp is mid guage but previously ran a little cooler. No telling what else I'll find.
Next stop - Take the car to a local LS1 guru and have him do a
LS1 edit / Dyno tune. Oh yea, and defeat the skip shift issue
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
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From: Western NY
As I mentioned a couple of months back, I instaled a CLB and THEN had problems. I took the CLB out, the car has remained OK, received two recall notices, which I've ignored, and recently put the car away for the winter.
Next spring, if it's not too big an ordeal, I might consider removing the lock plate myself....
Next spring, if it's not too big an ordeal, I might consider removing the lock plate myself....