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Steering Column Lock FAQs - please read before you post (sticky please)
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: East Moline IL.
module
I just had a problem where my 99 vette would start and when I put it in gear it went about 5 feet then would die. They put a new module in for about $400. Said it was an anti-theft item to prevent someone from jimming the ignition. Is this part of what you are talking about? Mike
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: East Moline IL.
module
I just had a problem where my 99 vette would start and when I put it in gear it went about 5 feet then would die. They put a new module in for about $400. Said it was an anti-theft item to prevent someone from jimming the ignition. Is this part of what you are talking about? Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
I actually read the entire thread. There is a lot of information to digest. I'm not sure what the solution is for me?
I have a 2004 corvette coupe with a MN6 w/ 15,700 miles. I bought it Saturday and I'm not sure what recalls it's had. But I can hear the actuator spin when I start the car and when I stop. When I turn the wheel with the key out, it locks. The car was built in June of 2004. My dealer told me it was originally delivered in September. The VIN number is outside of the 4006C recall. From what I have read here, my vette would have the CL installed with the K harness.
I have not had any problems or codes with the CL so far. But I like to take long trips and I don't want to be stuck at a remote rest stop if you know what I mean. Can I install a CLB on my vette with out consequences (reasonable, all cars break eventually). Will I need to remove the K harness assuming I have one? What do I need to do to ensure my car will start. The question has been asked several times for late year '04s, but there hasn't really been an answer yet.
Thanks in Advance.
I have a 2004 corvette coupe with a MN6 w/ 15,700 miles. I bought it Saturday and I'm not sure what recalls it's had. But I can hear the actuator spin when I start the car and when I stop. When I turn the wheel with the key out, it locks. The car was built in June of 2004. My dealer told me it was originally delivered in September. The VIN number is outside of the 4006C recall. From what I have read here, my vette would have the CL installed with the K harness.
I have not had any problems or codes with the CL so far. But I like to take long trips and I don't want to be stuck at a remote rest stop if you know what I mean. Can I install a CLB on my vette with out consequences (reasonable, all cars break eventually). Will I need to remove the K harness assuming I have one? What do I need to do to ensure my car will start. The question has been asked several times for late year '04s, but there hasn't really been an answer yet.
Thanks in Advance.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Corona CA, sometimes Austin TX or Las Vegas NV
I installed mine from American Thunder and found it to be a piece of cake to install. I had the problem for the first and last time Saturday only after prepping for 2 car shows which I had to pass on. 
Thanks for the post. Even thou I missed out on the shows it saved me the aggravation of going to the stealership.
Thanks for the post. Even thou I missed out on the shows it saved me the aggravation of going to the stealership.
Last edited by c5crusr; Jun 14, 2007 at 11:42 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Happened to me yesterday. 2004 mn6 that already had the recall done. I was on vacation up in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Had it towed to a dealer in Cortez CO and, since I had the extended warrenty, GM is picking up the towing fee and paying for a rental car. Still waiting for the dealer to look at the car, maybe Friday, and I've been sitting in the hotel room reading this thread.
Here I am with a 35K car I bought last year and this can go on forever??? I have an extended warranty so I"m real hesitant to install the CLB. I'm not going to own a car that I'm paying this much money for that I can't drive anywhere without pulling fuses to reset things. I'm thinking it's for sale when I make it back home.
Here I am with a 35K car I bought last year and this can go on forever??? I have an extended warranty so I"m real hesitant to install the CLB. I'm not going to own a car that I'm paying this much money for that I can't drive anywhere without pulling fuses to reset things. I'm thinking it's for sale when I make it back home.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 33
From: somewhere in New Hampshire
I actually read the entire thread. There is a lot of information to digest. I'm not sure what the solution is for me?
I have a 2004 corvette coupe with a MN6 w/ 15,700 miles. I bought it Saturday and I'm not sure what recalls it's had. But I can hear the actuator spin when I start the car and when I stop. When I turn the wheel with the key out, it locks. The car was built in June of 2004. My dealer told me it was originally delivered in September. The VIN number is outside of the 4006C recall. From what I have read here, my vette would have the CL installed with the K harness.
I have not had any problems or codes with the CL so far. But I like to take long trips and I don't want to be stuck at a remote rest stop if you know what I mean. Can I install a CLB on my vette with out consequences (reasonable, all cars break eventually). Will I need to remove the K harness assuming I have one? What do I need to do to ensure my car will start. The question has been asked several times for late year '04s, but there hasn't really been an answer yet.
Thanks in Advance.
I have a 2004 corvette coupe with a MN6 w/ 15,700 miles. I bought it Saturday and I'm not sure what recalls it's had. But I can hear the actuator spin when I start the car and when I stop. When I turn the wheel with the key out, it locks. The car was built in June of 2004. My dealer told me it was originally delivered in September. The VIN number is outside of the 4006C recall. From what I have read here, my vette would have the CL installed with the K harness.
I have not had any problems or codes with the CL so far. But I like to take long trips and I don't want to be stuck at a remote rest stop if you know what I mean. Can I install a CLB on my vette with out consequences (reasonable, all cars break eventually). Will I need to remove the K harness assuming I have one? What do I need to do to ensure my car will start. The question has been asked several times for late year '04s, but there hasn't really been an answer yet.
Thanks in Advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
This sounds like my situation. I had not had any problems but I installed the CLB as a preventive measure. My '03 has the same mileage as yours but I was nervous about taking long trips after reading all these threads. Your steering column locks, which tells me that the second recall wasn't done on your car (column lock removed, k harness installed). Your car may have had the first recall done (only reprogrammed for fuel shut-off). For peace of mind, I would install the CLB, it's easy to do. My next course of action is to get the fuel shut-off code removed but I don't view that as urgent. Just my opinion, good luck with whatever you decide.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 33
From: somewhere in New Hampshire
Since I sprang the cash for the extended warrenty, I don't want to do the CLB because they COULD say my CLB caused some other problem and void my warranty. I called the dealer to get the recall number performed, and I was placed on eternal hold without a reply. I'm driving down to the dealer at 8 AM tomorrow. I'd hate to sell the Vette, but I can't afford to drive a 35K car I can't rely on.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Peru IL
Backward Thinking
...Here I am with a 35K car I bought last year and this can go on forever??? I have an extended warranty so I"m real hesitant to install the CLB. I'm not going to own a car that I'm paying this much money for that I can't drive anywhere without pulling fuses to reset things. I'm thinking it's for sale when I make it back home.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
I just got the CLB this morning and installed it this evening. It takes more time to remove and reinstall the panel than it does to do the actual CLB. I drove it tonight and then turned it off. Removed key. Then just inserted key and turned it on and then off. Did that a few times just to see. No problems.
I believe this car did get the first so-called fix that cuts the fuel off. Some fix. I'm going to get with my tuner and see if he can remove the fuel cutoff now the Column Lock is disabled. Having that message show up about remove key is one thing. Being stranded is another. Or has the CLB sufficiently fooled the computer so it will not ever do the remove key and fuel cutoff?
I believe this car did get the first so-called fix that cuts the fuel off. Some fix. I'm going to get with my tuner and see if he can remove the fuel cutoff now the Column Lock is disabled. Having that message show up about remove key is one thing. Being stranded is another. Or has the CLB sufficiently fooled the computer so it will not ever do the remove key and fuel cutoff?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Peru IL
Not bad
I just got the CLB this morning and installed it this evening. It takes more time to remove and reinstall the panel than it does to do the actual CLB. I drove it tonight and then turned it off. Removed key. Then just inserted key and turned it on and then off. Did that a few times just to see. No problems...Or has the CLB sufficiently fooled the computer so it will not ever do the remove key and fuel cutoff?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 33
From: somewhere in New Hampshire
I just got the CLB this morning and installed it this evening. It takes more time to remove and reinstall the panel than it does to do the actual CLB. I drove it tonight and then turned it off. Removed key. Then just inserted key and turned it on and then off. Did that a few times just to see. No problems.
I believe this car did get the first so-called fix that cuts the fuel off. Some fix. I'm going to get with my tuner and see if he can remove the fuel cutoff now the Column Lock is disabled. Having that message show up about remove key is one thing. Being stranded is another. Or has the CLB sufficiently fooled the computer so it will not ever do the remove key and fuel cutoff?
I believe this car did get the first so-called fix that cuts the fuel off. Some fix. I'm going to get with my tuner and see if he can remove the fuel cutoff now the Column Lock is disabled. Having that message show up about remove key is one thing. Being stranded is another. Or has the CLB sufficiently fooled the computer so it will not ever do the remove key and fuel cutoff?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Yep, you're confused allright. Since you're sitting in a hotel room, digest this: You'd rather rely on a warranty to keep you coming back to overpriced dealerships for repairs when a CLB will fix your problem and not affect your warranty? Warranties are over priced. They are useless when nobody-- N-O-B-O-D-Y-- at your dealership can fix the issue. All dealership patches are useless. CLB's are cheap. You might as well sell that car and let somebody else who understands the issue resolve it.
Thanks
Pete
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Well, the dealer thinks they figured it out today. It would fail sitting in the hot Colorado sun, but when the car was cool, it was fine. They brought the car inside and let it idle for a while to cool the interior. When it got to an operable state, they applied heat to a relay in the steering wheel column, and it failed. They're shipping a new relay from ABQ, NM and is suppose to be here at 8 AM Saturday, and I'm suppose to be ready to go shortly thereafter. I'll post the relay part number if I can get it on my invoice.
Pete
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Petsur - I've got to agree with zozmanZ06 here. This has been a problem in every year C5 made. So GM had 7 years to fix it and couldn't. There are guys on this forum who have had the CLB installed for years. If it was me I would request that the dealer rip out this K-harness crap and anything else they jumpered in the circuit. Flash the computer with the original program with no fuel cutoff, or worst case the first patch only. Then install the CLB. Your dealer is not going to void your warranty. I don't see why the CLB would not fall under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The dealer has no solution. You do have one that works. Plug the thing in and be on your way.
RedSoxFan - I've sent an email to my tuner to ask if he can patch out the fuel cutoff since there should not be a SCL error anymore. I'll post an update once I hear from him. Btw, I lived in Maine for a good 20yrs. Now I live in NC. My Corvette does not hibernate for the winter. So I don't have 3 months or more of downtime. I only take a month or 2 off track events. I want this car ready to rock-n-roll. And I sure as hell don't want to be stuck at the track because of some idiotic engineering defect that can be bypassed. Heck they could pull the whole VATS system out for all I care.
RedSoxFan - I've sent an email to my tuner to ask if he can patch out the fuel cutoff since there should not be a SCL error anymore. I'll post an update once I hear from him. Btw, I lived in Maine for a good 20yrs. Now I live in NC. My Corvette does not hibernate for the winter. So I don't have 3 months or more of downtime. I only take a month or 2 off track events. I want this car ready to rock-n-roll. And I sure as hell don't want to be stuck at the track because of some idiotic engineering defect that can be bypassed. Heck they could pull the whole VATS system out for all I care.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 33
From: somewhere in New Hampshire
RedSoxFan - I've sent an email to my tuner to ask if he can patch out the fuel cutoff since there should not be a SCL error anymore. I'll post an update once I hear from him. Btw, I lived in Maine for a good 20yrs. Now I live in NC. My Corvette does not hibernate for the winter. So I don't have 3 months or more of downtime. I only take a month or 2 off track events. I want this car ready to rock-n-roll. And I sure as hell don't want to be stuck at the track because of some idiotic engineering defect that can be bypassed. Heck they could pull the whole VATS system out for all I care.
I look forward to hearing more about this. Maine is a beautiful state, I spent my summers there when I was growing up, then my folks retired there back in '80 and my Dad still lives there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
The dealer replaced the relay in the wheel on Saturday and it didn't fix it. Before it would only fail when hot, now it fails all the time. He turned off the fuel cut off. When the recall was done, they removed the locking plate in the wheel, but the locking pin still worked. Now, the pin will not work either and it's causing the service column lock error to be displayed.
He said it should get me home, but the error is still being displayed. Well, the trip home was across desert and mountains so I told him no thanks. I'll pick the car up when they get it fixed. They did give me a rental so now I'm back home and the car is 400 miles away in Cortez CO.
When they get it right, I'll pick it up, not until then.
Pete
He said it should get me home, but the error is still being displayed. Well, the trip home was across desert and mountains so I told him no thanks. I'll pick the car up when they get it fixed. They did give me a rental so now I'm back home and the car is 400 miles away in Cortez CO.
When they get it right, I'll pick it up, not until then.
Pete
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Petsur, I think you need to find a new dealer. The fix on yours is really simple. That locking pin has nothing to do with your problem. Alls you need is a new K-harness or a clb. Being that its at a dealers they will not do the CLB, but like i said alls they need to do is change the k-harness. After that things should be fine. Im guessing your k-harness is one of the early ones which were notorius for frying. The new harnesses have a new relay that isnt suppose to fry.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 5
Long thread with a ton of info, probabaly too much. Anyway, I'm just posting a smy dad just called me and said his Column is locked and he's getting the "service steering column" message. It's an '02 Z06. We didn't but it new, nor do we know who the previous owner was so I have no idea what has been done to the car. I myself am extremely handy with tools/cars and am sure I can fix this if I know what to do.
So, does this car need to go the dealer now to get fixed? Can it simply come home and have a CLB installed without going to the dealer? I would like a permananet fix with no worry about this in the future. Someone in soem posts back said they simply extended the pin out all the way and cut the SOB off. I like that suggestion, it keeps the system "thinking" its operating whens its really not. However, will this still enable the fuel shutoff? Anyway to bypass that? Just would like to avoid the dealer, if possible.
So, does this car need to go the dealer now to get fixed? Can it simply come home and have a CLB installed without going to the dealer? I would like a permananet fix with no worry about this in the future. Someone in soem posts back said they simply extended the pin out all the way and cut the SOB off. I like that suggestion, it keeps the system "thinking" its operating whens its really not. However, will this still enable the fuel shutoff? Anyway to bypass that? Just would like to avoid the dealer, if possible.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 74
From: Ave Maria FL
Petsur, I think you need to find a new dealer. The fix on yours is really simple. That locking pin has nothing to do with your problem. Alls you need is a new K-harness or a clb. Being that its at a dealers they will not do the CLB, but like i said alls they need to do is change the k-harness. After that things should be fine. Im guessing your k-harness is one of the early ones which were notorius for frying. The new harnesses have a new relay that isnt suppose to fry.
Pete