Right - with no cats, AIR pump, rear O2 sensors, and a bunch of custom tuning, this PCM won't get within 50 miles of a Chevy dealer.

Based on other info in this thread, my hope is that the GM recall harness will do the trick.

I'll post a photo of the column lock motor/pin, for those interested.

-Bruce

 

Exactly Once again,there is no such thing as a "block off plate" that physicly prevents the column lock pin from extending

 

We all understood what you said Bruce except for this Shylor character.
Looking forward to seeing the column lock motor/pin photo.

 

I'm not a character.

 

Bruce,
I reviewed a wiring diagram sent to me by another forum member for his GM bypass harness. It does exactly the same function as the CLB, however it leaves the lock motor in the circuit and only provides the feedback signal to the BCM. Based on what I see, I am confident that the GM CLB harness should work for you.
John

 

Ok - as I originally posted, the column lock assembly has been removed from my C5 racecar. In order to maintain the wiper stalk mount, a minimal amount of the column lock case needs to stay in the car, since the wiper stalk mounts to it. The following pictures show the "guts" of the column-lock assembly.

The first picture shows the motor/pin/gears in their as-assembled configuration:

The worm gear on the motor turns a gear on a threaded shaft that "jacks" the pin assembly in the direction determined by the motor.

The second picture shows the pin/jack assembly, laid out:


Finally, the last photo shows the micro-switch that is either opened or closed by the body of the pin assembly:


BTW, there is no "clean" way to pull out the guts of the column lock without getting medieval with the case, so I wouldn't recommend what I've done for a street car.

-Bruce

 

Isn't the Column Lock Bypass being install by Chevy dealers interfering with tuning to the PCM?

 

Thanks for the visual! It's pretty clear to me now why these things fail the way they do, and I don't even hold an engineering degree!

 

I installed the Harness K kit on my 2004 Z06, including removing the lockplate and replacing it with the smaller plate that comes with the kit.

I just got a call from GM, and they have agreed to pay for the kit and installation of the smaller plate, even though it is on a manual transmission car. By the way, I did not allow the dealer to reprogram the PCM per the actual recall for my car.

 

Details please!! We want to to do the same! Phone numbers, contacts, etc.???

 

What was the process that you went through with dealing with GM?

For your information, I would like to install a CLB or the K kit that you put in, but I am confused with which way to go. Are all CLB's the same quality or does one stand out over the others? Also, what did the Harness K kit cost and how long did it take to install? Thanks.

 

No, I believe it's the reprogramming for the 6 speeds (to shut off the fuel pump if the column locks), is what is interfering with tunings.

 

I had an aftermarket CLB from ThunderRacing installed for awhile, and had no real problems with it, but I decided to go with the GM kit so that I could keep the actuator in the circuit to correctly load the BCM relays as has already been discussed.
I installed the harness myself, and was going to borrow the special tools to remove the lockplate, but decided to let a friend of mine do it at the dealership since it can be done in less than an hour.
I used the form that GM sends out with the recall notices to file a claim that I had already spent money to correct the problem. My cover letter stated that I installed the GM approved kit, and they agreed to reimburse me for the cost of the kit and the dealer's labor to change out the lockplate. Since I knew the technician, I made sure that he knew not to do the reprogram called for on the recall on the manual transmission cars.

NOTE: The GM harness will also work with the actuator disconnected if you do not want to go to the trouble to remove the lockplate, but that was the whole point in switching from the aftermarket part to the GM harness. The relay in the GM harness will also provide feedback to the BCM with or without the actuator connected so you do not get error codes. Some people have just changed out the lockplate, and have left the actuator connected without installing the harness. If you do this, the column cannot lock, but if the actuator fails, the BCM will think that the column is still locked, and will shut off the fuel if you attempt to drive off.

 

The Harness K is the GM bypass. The Harness K cost more (around $90, compared to around $50 for an aftermarket bypass), and is more difficult to install because you have remove the steering wheel. GM doesn't like you to use an aftermarket bypass. But since it seems they will pay us for installing their Harness K, I would go that route.

 

Thanks Bruce for the pics of your column lock motor. One thing that the pics confirm in my mind is that once you install an aftermarket CLB, there is no way the column will ever accidentally lock up from vibration or shock because of the worm drive. Secondly, I'm personally not convinced that there's any issue using the CLB without the Column Lock Motor in the circuit to draw more current. Relays should tolerate this just fine in my opinion. Good luck with the GM refund guys.
John

 

Thanks a lot. I may just go with the CLB because of the easy install.

 

BruceBe,

How hard would it be to just remove the worm gear from the motor? The plunger then wouldn't move and you woudn't need a bypass.

 

To get to the motor assembly, you need to basically destroy the aluminum casing around it (the plastic base in the third picture is pinched by a bevel in the aluminum case). Since the whole assembly is mounted such that the threaded shaft is horizontal, I could also envision some combination of vibration/bumps in the car that would eventually jack the pin out toward the lock plate (the motor and gear engagement prevent the assembly from turning during normal operation).

Finally, the BCM wants to see that micro-switch open/close the circuit - I can't see any way around a CLB or the GM Harness "K", as people are calling it.

Cheers,
-Bruce

 

Thanks for the info. Do you have any pics of what the pin engages into on the column?

 

Think circular plate w/ holes drilled in it.. Not very fancy, I'm sure you can picture it..

Not true.. No need to remove the locking plate.. Just retract the stock CL (one time) and don't hook up the CL side of the Harness-K, that's all.