You make sense. I haven't been away from the forum for a lot, but still don't know what the BCM is. Could you explain? GM has the harness K, that does what? - eliminate the column locking feature or makes the column lock wourk correctly? If it eliminates a column lock, a theft deterrent, are they allowed to install it without canceling insurance?
Sorry for all of the questions, but your knowledge seems to go beyond most people and you have raised a number of questions. Can I assume if the column lock malfunctions that GM will install the harness k free of charge?

 

Now that's a good one!

You can assume that you'll call 1-800-CHEVYDUMBASS and they'll say, as your car is stranded and unmovable, "Sir, is your car is a safe location? Have you disconnected the battery? Have you lubed up and are you ready to grab your ankles?"

GM will do nothing more than haul your car in (while you're still under factory warranty, that is), dump it at a dealer, who will then do the official factory recall IF your VIN falls under the recall range. Then they'll get your car greasy, maybe even put a scratch or two in it while some toothless idiot drives your car into neverneverland, a.k.a. the dealer service bay. For your trouble, you might even get a Geo Metro to drive IF your car is kept overnight--since you get a $35 rental allowance via the factory warranty....

Fun stuff. So, are you a gamblin' man?

I've installed the CLB kit from Thunder Racing on my new Vette. The Harness K is, if I understand correctly, GM's version of an aftermarket CLB. It's only a matter of time, my forum friend, before column lock will happen to you. Might not happen now, might not happen for years, but it will happen someday. And when it does, it really, really, really sucks. It happened on my last C5, and it was not fun.

Like others have said, just make an informed decision about what to do to PREVENT column lock. It's the C5's nastiest little gremlin nobody tells you about. DON'T make a decision that you're just going to let GM take care of the problem, because since '97, they still haven't.

 

Even if you are right about eventual column lock problems it still remains a 'pick your poison' decision. I am reading that a CLB can cause BCM problems, and still don't know what that means. Until I do I won't know if a BCM problem can be just as bad as a column lock problem. In the meantime I took out some insurance. I met with my service manager and expressed concerns about column lock malfunctions. I received assurances and will certainly expect GM to bend over backwards to help if I face trouble.
My main problem is that I have not received good data on the extent of column lock difficulties after the recall procedures have been completed. Many people expressing concerns had trouble before the recall. Has GM's recall decreased the extent of the problem? And if so, just how extensive is the problem now?
I purchased a 7-year warranty which I do not wish to risk for any reason. Getting stranded for three days in a desert, or in remote mountains is preferable to risking the warranty. Ditto if the BCM is at all expensive (isn't everything on the vette?) and I may get stuck with the bill if I install a CLB.
I have reviewed the comments of those who have faced problems and I am convinced that their problems and concerns are legitimate. However, I am retired and getting stranded somewhere could be the most exciting adventure I would see all year. There are people who have been jerked around by insensitive dealers, but there are also people who have aggravated the dealers with complaints and demands after purchasing the car from somebody else. My dealership has treated me well and I see no reason to make a decision based upon the assumption that if the column lock freezes that they will jerk me around.
In short I still do not have enough information to install the CLB. But I wish to make it clear that I appreciate your efforts to express concerns. I think your concerns could be much more significant for others than they are for me especially if they understand what they may face with BCM problems.

 

Just pack along the torx screwdriver and a hammer. That is how you get the CL to disengage if it ever sticks on you. Never hold onto the steering wheel when you get in and out and you decrease your chances of having it happen.

BCM = body control module = computer+interface

Harness K is a CL bypass that GM installs on older automatics (which have a lock on the shifter keeping it within the regulations) Newer auto's don't even have the CL motor.

My 03 chevy pick-up don't have a column lock - Just a tranny lock.

The bypass is more or less just an all electronic version of the CL motor. When it is asked to lock and unlock it sends signals back that says it did it.

 

thanks

 

I have installed a CLB in my 2004 Z06 3 times and every time the water temp guage quits working.

Where do you purchase this "harness K" and how do you install it?

Scott

 

GM parts counter. The relay kit, 88952427 also contains a revised lock plate that does NOT engage the lock actuator. This requires removing the steering wheel, airbag coil and lock plate. It does take some time.
You may have to purchase a lock plate compressor, T30 torx driver, and a steering wheel removal kit with legs, to complete the lock plate change.

 

When installing a harness K on a manual Z06 does the lock plate need to be installed, or just plug in the harness? I believe just plugging in the harness would mean that the steering wheel would not need to be pulled. Is this true. Has anyone installed the harness k on a Z? Thanks for the help.

 

I believe you need to do both or you get codes.

 

Why would you get codes by installing the harness and not the lock plate?

I read another post where a Forum member installed the Harness K, but only connected the bypass to the main wiring harness, not to the column lock actuator. He says this works without any codes being generated.

I would still like to hear from someone that tested the factory bypass by connecting the Harness K to the wiring harness and the actuator without changing the lockplate. I suspect that the column still will not lock and the smaller lockplate is just a backup to make sure the lock cannot engage even when it is not energized. There have been a few cases reported where the column locked with the actuator disconnected.

 

Keep in mind that automatic tranny corvettes built after 2001 (I think that's the correct year) do not even have a column lock.
So GM saw it fit to remove from certain cars...

 

If the BCM is receiving bad voltage from the aftermarket bypass, won't the BCM start throwing codes? I for one periodically check the BCM for codes since I've installed the bypass. So far, not a one...