A quick question--I read through all of this but seem to be getting conflicting info. My car is a 2001 mn6 and I just had the latest recall done(harness k, remove lock ring). The wheel does not lock, but the actuator motor is still functioning. I sthe motor supposed to continue to work after harness k install or not? Some posts on here indicate it should and others seem to say it should not.
Thanks
Scott

 

Once the CLB is installed, the actuator will no longer function...it is unplugged. You won't have to worry about your wheel locking, but there is still the chance that the CLB could get confused, therefore sending a signal to your PCM which will then cut your fuel if you try to drive. This happened to me more than enough times. Best bet is to install the CLB and then have Cuck at Corvettes of Westchester disable the full cut off in the PCM. This will gaurantee that you will never be stranded due to the column lock or it's gremlins. You can mail your PCM to chuck...about a 3 day turn around.

 

Actually you make a valid point and I may have mis-stated this in my previous post. The Harness K setup from GM has a connector that goes to the locking actuator as well as the BCM. It does allow power to go to the actuator and I believe it will allow the actuator to move even though there's no reason.

So the previous post about no longer hearing the motor move still points to a problem - either the Harness K or the actuator. A CLB will remove the actuator from the circuit all together.

 

Nine times out of ten it's the Harness K relay - really poor reliability. GM should be ashamed.

 

I have a 98 6spd, I had the latest recall done a few months ago...had the "pull key wait 10 secs" message and then "service column lock" message yesterday...installed the CLB...all works now.

As part of the latest recall the lock plate was taken off and replaced by a smaller one that has no holes for the pin to go in so the steering wheel can never get stuck...I did not remove or bypass the relay (or K harness)...do I need to do this?

Car seems to be fine now...

 

I have a 2003 with 14000 miles. I've had column lock problems twice in the last 7000 miles. I just installed column bypass from COH, removed relay, located above the bcm. Relay was the one on the right, has 4 wires going to it. Jumpered 87 to 30 as directed by other threads and my car is running fine now. No false indicators gas is no longer shutting off ect. Thanks for all the great advice.

 

can anyone tell me how to remove the GM column lock recall. I am receiving the dreaded "service column lock" "pull key, wait 10 seconds" message. The column lock is functioning properly but the fuel cut offs at over 2mph.

I know the dealer installed a new plate in the steering wheel and a relay. I would like to remove the relay but I am a little unclear of what to look for under the steering wheel and behind the BCM. I am also not clear on why to the change some wiring in the BCM.

My goal is to return the wiring back to pre recall and leave the plate intact.

Please include picks if available.

 

I would buy the CoH CLB, install it and call it a day...worked for me

 

I got a new one for you. Called GM about fixing the recall (noted above). They said the recall was closed on my car and they do not pay for additional repairs once you have the column lock recall performed. Its is amazing to me how they perform a recall, recall goes bad and they wash their hands in it.

Does anyone know if I remove the ECL wiring relay what will happen. Will the car still be disabled with the fuel cutoff? If I am getting the service column lock message and install a CLB will it clear the message and resolve the issue? Is it possible to remove the wiring harness installed under the BCM?

 

I just installed the CLB & Thank goodness for this link!
http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html
Only took me 25mins folowing these insructions.

 

UPDATE: I removed the relay under the dash yesterday. Once I removed the relay the car started fine, no codes, and no problems.

 

Great. Now, while you have an unlocked column, install the CLB. I kept saying that mine was the rare one that never locked up...until the day it locked up.

 

i HAD THE RECALL DONE 18 MONTHS AGO AFTER MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. $500.00 IN ADDITIONAL COST, REPROGRAMMING, NEW BATTERY, ECT. I DO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR VERY OFTEN AND IT MAY SIT FOR A MONTH OR TWO. RECENTLY I DROVE IT PARKED FOR TEN MINUTES AND IT WOULD NOT START, WHEN JUMPED THE WAIT 10 SEC MESSGE CAME ON AND I DID GET THE CAR HOME AND IN THE GARAGE. IT WILL START BUT SHUTS DOWN WHEN I MOVE IT. MESSGE SERVICE COLUMN LOCK, WAIT TEN SEC.
I HAVE REMOVED AND TEST FUSES 25 AND 29, NO CHANGE.
DOES ANY ONE KNOW OF A REPAIR SHOP IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THAT CAN REPAIR THIS. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE DEALER WHO DID THE RECALL.
ON 2/28/07 HAD THE CORVETTE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE REPAIR"LOCATE AND REPAIR CONNECTOR FOR THEFT RELAY OP CODE MISC. $197.92 PLUS $90.00 IN TOWING. RUNS OK

 

Usually, when the car will start, but it dies when you drive it over about 2 MPH, it is a sign that the BCM is cutting off the fuel because it cannot tell if the column is unlocked or not. If the recall was done, and the GM Harness K kit was installed, most likely the relay in the harness has failed so it is not sending the correct signal back to the BCM to prevent it from cutting the fuel. If you want to fix it yourself, either replace the GM harness with another one yourself, or remove the harness and replace it with an aftermarket column lock bypass relay.

If this is the problem, it is not the dealer's fault. The harness is probably installed correctly. It is just that the relays are poor quality and prone to premature failure.

 

I respectfully disagree. If Chevrolet and the dealers are installing poor quality parts and parts prone to premature failure in response to a serious issue with their cars it is most certainly their fault.

Someone on the corporate side or the dealer side should have the guts to say that the third method of repairing this issue is a failure as well...the only solution that works is an aftermarket CLB...they should all be ashamed of themselves!

 

Ok

I picked up my 98 automatic for the third time from a dealer ref. the column lock.
It finally gave me the service column lock msg. instead of the pull key and wait 10 seconds I had always gotten, and I had to have it towed in.
They covered it under waranty and removed the harness and relay.

Now, should I just leave it alone or should I install the clb from Thunder racing. The gm tech thinks I should wait and see if it gives me any more trouble before messing around and installing the clb.

The column no longer does lock (this was done on the first trip to the dealer)
The relay was replaced on the second trip, and as I said on this the 3rd trip the harness and relay are gone.
Thanks Bill

 

I recently found out that there is a direct feedback line to the C5 plant. I wote them a matter of fact letter requesting that they come up with a definitive fix for the column lock for all C5 owners. I explained my specific series of recalls and issues. I requested a final fix. Remove all lock plates, Program out the fuel cutoff, Remove the K harness, come up with a high reliability once and for all harness to fool the BCM.

I think everyone here should professionally and matter of factly request the same. We are the future C6,C7,C8 customers. They need to make us happy.

RG
AZ

http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant...ey3.cgi?type=1

 

Wait so they wont fix a manual for free? What gives?

 

Whether an auto or MN6 after going through all the factory recalls and / or installing a CLB does not guarantee you will not have a problem again. It is only a matter of time until you do. It is a time bomb.

Removing the lock plate, Rev K harness, Reflash , new motor actuator,new battery,Rev. K, CLB , rain dance, and you can still have a failure.

Leaving the actuator in place is a problem, it should be eliminated.

Even though the lock plate is removed, the current rev. software will shut off the fuel if the BCM becomes unhappy for a myriad of reasons. The fuel shut off FEATURE should be coded out, because if there is any bcm perceived problem, without the lock plate it can't lock the steering column anyways.

The Rev K harness is a POS.Even the newer Rev K harness with the later style non failing relays is a POS. It should be eliminated / redesigned.

I have had all the factory recalls done on my MN6 and still have issues from time to time.

However the GM designers could definitively fix the problem for all owners once and for all, if they continue to get enough whining and crying.

The fix should have been..Remove lock plate,eliminate / remove actuator, New software to disable fuel shutoff, Rev. ZZ Harness and circuit to make the BCM think the Actuator still does its thing.

Please share your experiences with the column lock with the factory directly so they get real feedback from the field and know how you feel.The people in the factory need to feel the pain from the customers directly. Not some report of failure statistics from QA & Marketing.

http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant...ey3.cgi?type=1


RG

 

I agree that GM designers could and SHOULD fix the issue once and for all. MANY cars have the ignition on the dash from inexpensive Chrysler products to Mercedes cars...why do these work?

Cant good ole American ingenuity fix the F%$&ing problem???

Just wondering...