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Steering Column Lock FAQs - please read before you post (sticky please)
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Antlers Oklahoma
Oh, yeah....probably should have mentioned this too...my keyless entry has been malfunctioning. You can re-set it, the car will acknowledge, and it will work once or twice, then quits. Re-set, acknowledge, and again after a couple of times, it again quits?
I love this car, but I swear I've about had it with it.
I love this car, but I swear I've about had it with it.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Ashland Kentucky
I admit i haven't read all 46 or however many pages. But i need help on this. I've had my car for 2 weeks. 2 wks before i bought it, the column lock update was done at the dealership. Well today it acted up. Column isn't locking, but i think that's due to the update that was done. It still says SERVICE COLUMN LOCK and was cutting fuel at 2km/hr. The wire bypass at the relay didn't work, so i had my tuner come and change the cutoff speed to the max. So car is home, but i'd like to properly fix it. What should i do? Thanks in advance.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer Michigan
I just ordered one from Adaptive Performance $40. delivered
Column Lock Bypass
$35.95 / U.S.ONLY Priority mail delivery$4.05
http://www.adaptiveperformance.com/CLB.htm
Column Lock Bypass
$35.95 / U.S.ONLY Priority mail delivery$4.05
http://www.adaptiveperformance.com/CLB.htm
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Ashland Kentucky
Sorry. 2001 M6. The dealership is 4.5hrs away where i bought the car. And I called them. They won. Fix it since the work was done under the previous owner. GAY! And i would think it goes without saying that i want a fix that will prevent future problems with this system. Why would i want anything less? Haha. Thanks guys. I'll order the kit listed and fix it this week. You guys helped a ton.
I'm missing some key information here. What year is the car? Is it an A4, M6 or M12?
Not trying to be a smart a$$ here but if the dealer did the recall fix a month or so ago, why are you not going back to them? They presumeably used GM parts and there should be some type of warranty on the parts and work they did whether they charged you for it or not. I'm not a believer that the GM fix is worth a Damn but it will perhaps simplify the installation of a CLB if you first have the column lock system doing its thing correctly from the dealer. (Don't let them reflash the PCM or you loose the reset of the fuel shutoff you had done.)
You say you want to fix this properly. What exactly does properly mean?
From the perspective of GM their fix is proper. Unfortunately the components they used are trash and the fact that they lasted only a month attests to that. Even if they refix it the parts they use have shown an extremely high failure rate so you can expect it to fail again.
My opinion of proper is to remove the GM K harness and any other relays added as a part of the GM fix, install a CLB and have the fuel shutoff value reprogrammed to a large number. It is also nice to have the lock ring removed (sounds like yours already is removed) but not absolutely necessary if a CLB is installed and the connector to the actuator is disconnected. However, GM and perhaps others will likely say that my solution is not "proper" since it is not approved by GM.
If I were to assume a meaning for your use of the word proper it would be "a solution that I will not have to deal with again as long as I own the car"
If thats what you mean by proper, then the GM solution doesn't qualify.
You are already half way to the solution I consider proper. You need a CLB and to rip out the GM fix components.
Not trying to be a smart a$$ here but if the dealer did the recall fix a month or so ago, why are you not going back to them? They presumeably used GM parts and there should be some type of warranty on the parts and work they did whether they charged you for it or not. I'm not a believer that the GM fix is worth a Damn but it will perhaps simplify the installation of a CLB if you first have the column lock system doing its thing correctly from the dealer. (Don't let them reflash the PCM or you loose the reset of the fuel shutoff you had done.)
You say you want to fix this properly. What exactly does properly mean?
From the perspective of GM their fix is proper. Unfortunately the components they used are trash and the fact that they lasted only a month attests to that. Even if they refix it the parts they use have shown an extremely high failure rate so you can expect it to fail again.
My opinion of proper is to remove the GM K harness and any other relays added as a part of the GM fix, install a CLB and have the fuel shutoff value reprogrammed to a large number. It is also nice to have the lock ring removed (sounds like yours already is removed) but not absolutely necessary if a CLB is installed and the connector to the actuator is disconnected. However, GM and perhaps others will likely say that my solution is not "proper" since it is not approved by GM.
If I were to assume a meaning for your use of the word proper it would be "a solution that I will not have to deal with again as long as I own the car"
If thats what you mean by proper, then the GM solution doesn't qualify.
You are already half way to the solution I consider proper. You need a CLB and to rip out the GM fix components.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
Any and all ideas welcomed...CLB is in the mail !! ( UPS )
I have a 2000 a4 .
Its probably had the recall as the Steering wheel will turn with the KEY OUT.
However I received the Pull key... Service column lock.. message so I ordered the CLB.
I have read most the posts for this and asked a few members as well as those at Corvettes of Houston.
COH really didnt want to talk alot. I understand theres too many variables here.
After reading I assume I have a faulty K harness and I hope that the CLB may solve the problem ???
So I guess the plan is to
1. Remove the K harness
2. Install the CLB
3. Cross my fingers and give it a try.
Does that sound logical to anyone out there ??
GIVE ME SOME ODDS OR LET ME KNOW YOUR SUCCESS WITH THIS
Thanks Mike
Portland Or
Its probably had the recall as the Steering wheel will turn with the KEY OUT.
However I received the Pull key... Service column lock.. message so I ordered the CLB.
I have read most the posts for this and asked a few members as well as those at Corvettes of Houston.
COH really didnt want to talk alot. I understand theres too many variables here.
After reading I assume I have a faulty K harness and I hope that the CLB may solve the problem ???
So I guess the plan is to
1. Remove the K harness
2. Install the CLB
3. Cross my fingers and give it a try.
Does that sound logical to anyone out there ??
GIVE ME SOME ODDS OR LET ME KNOW YOUR SUCCESS WITH THIS
Thanks Mike
Portland Or
Last edited by mnfmkf; Sep 4, 2008 at 12:22 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
K harness OUT, CLB Next
OK... The UPS recording call to,let me know I need Friday ( today, Also my 61st Birthday ) off to be there to sign for the CLB. 
I had asked them to send it w/o a signature verification but the guy at Corvettes of Houston was not paying attention, surfing the net or maybe thats not possible or whatever ( that does not really matter ) so I am using a vacation day to "Greet " the UPS person. I hope he gets here before I have to go to a dinner at 7 or things will lets say change. Anyway I will be happy just to get the now revered " CLB "
So I go out to the garage and dissect the K harness out of the car. Its about a 4 on the difficulty scale of 100 so even I can do that without alot of fear.
So here I sit
OH UPS man are you out there in that big brown truck with my little CLB ??
Mike F
WAITING IN PORTLAND
I had asked them to send it w/o a signature verification but the guy at Corvettes of Houston was not paying attention, surfing the net or maybe thats not possible or whatever ( that does not really matter ) so I am using a vacation day to "Greet " the UPS person. I hope he gets here before I have to go to a dinner at 7 or things will lets say change. Anyway I will be happy just to get the now revered " CLB "
So I go out to the garage and dissect the K harness out of the car. Its about a 4 on the difficulty scale of 100 so even I can do that without alot of fear.
So here I sit
OH UPS man are you out there in that big brown truck with my little CLB ??
Mike F
WAITING IN PORTLAND
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 1
From: Louisville KY
Quote:
Originally Posted by vette99coupe
I believe GM does have a REAL fix for this issue....the only problem is it would cost them considerably more the do the real fix instead of the way they've been told to do it through all of those recall bulletins that the service departments keep referring to. My GM service manager finally got so pissed at GM for the "run around" he's been getting for years and the many, many corvette customers who had to keep coming back time and time again for the CLB problem.
The service manager decides to call GM Engineering division in Detroit and finds out that they actually solved the problem after 2003 with a redesigned Column Lock mechanism. They told him that they haven't had any problems with it on 04's, etc. He asked why they didn't share this information with the dealerships and they said the mechanism costs of $250 compared to $45 for the K Harness. He was as pissed as I was. Apparently GM wasn't real anxious to share this with us or the dealer's service people.
The part # for the new mechanism is 88965331 (Lock 2.195)
They installed it back in June 07 and I've had no problems since then.
Can anyone else verify what I've said here?????
I would like an update on this post from a year ago. vette99coupe, can you tell us if you've had any problems since its been installed? I'm hoping this is the solution to the CL problem.
Originally Posted by vette99coupe
I believe GM does have a REAL fix for this issue....the only problem is it would cost them considerably more the do the real fix instead of the way they've been told to do it through all of those recall bulletins that the service departments keep referring to. My GM service manager finally got so pissed at GM for the "run around" he's been getting for years and the many, many corvette customers who had to keep coming back time and time again for the CLB problem.
The service manager decides to call GM Engineering division in Detroit and finds out that they actually solved the problem after 2003 with a redesigned Column Lock mechanism. They told him that they haven't had any problems with it on 04's, etc. He asked why they didn't share this information with the dealerships and they said the mechanism costs of $250 compared to $45 for the K Harness. He was as pissed as I was. Apparently GM wasn't real anxious to share this with us or the dealer's service people.
The part # for the new mechanism is 88965331 (Lock 2.195)
They installed it back in June 07 and I've had no problems since then.
Can anyone else verify what I've said here?????
I would like an update on this post from a year ago. vette99coupe, can you tell us if you've had any problems since its been installed? I'm hoping this is the solution to the CL problem.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Glenside PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I have owned my Vette for exactly 12 days...and this happened to me today (it was reported to have been taken care of by the previous owner). Fortunately the car is in the driveway. I have a lot to learn in a very short time. It's great to see all this info...thanks!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I removed and charged the battery, pulled fuse 23 for 10 minutes to reset the BCM, replaced fuse 25 even though it was still good and it worked! I'm going to have the CLB installed though so this doesn't happen again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 11
From: Santa Barbara CA
sorry if this has been answered a billion times but i just want to clerify:
can you still install a CLB even if a recall has been done to your car(the fuel shuts off after 2mph)? you have to remove the harness that GM has put in there for the recall?? thanks!!
can you still install a CLB even if a recall has been done to your car(the fuel shuts off after 2mph)? you have to remove the harness that GM has put in there for the recall?? thanks!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 11
From: Santa Barbara CA
Correct. You need to remove any fix that GM has installed such as the K-Harness. Actually you can just disconnect it and leave the relay and wire harness hanging there if you like. Doesn add much weight. 
Or you can remove it and do as many have and hang it in the garage as a trophy.
If you have the opportunity and a little spare cash, I'd find a tuner that uses either the HP Tuner software or EFI Live software and get the fuel shutoff speed set to maximum value so that even if the CLB were to fail you can still drive the car.
Or you can remove it and do as many have and hang it in the garage as a trophy.
If you have the opportunity and a little spare cash, I'd find a tuner that uses either the HP Tuner software or EFI Live software and get the fuel shutoff speed set to maximum value so that even if the CLB were to fail you can still drive the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 11
From: Santa Barbara CA
The original wiring (before GM did any recall service) had the connector from Actuator (male plug) plug into the connector pictured (female receptacle) in the LS1HOWTO directions. The K-Harness has both a male and female connector with a relay between the two connectors. The K-Harness female connector receives the male connector from the Actuator. The K-Harness male connector plugs into the female connector pictured. They usually tie wrap the relay to the steering column.
When you get the CLB just unplug the connector shown in the LS1HOWTO instructions and you have disconnected the K-Harness. (and the actuator obviously but you will not need either with a CLB.)
Since you have an earlier car I would go to a dealer and have them print out the GM Service History for your VIN. There should NOT be a charge for them to get that info for you. You will want to scan through the info on the report because there may have been more than 1 service done to your car and in a few instances there have been other relays that were installed that need to be bypassed before the CLB will work correctly. If you need info on the other relays if you have one, PM me and I can send you links describing the relays and how to bypass them if need be.
Chuck S. AKA 8VETTE7
When you get the CLB just unplug the connector shown in the LS1HOWTO instructions and you have disconnected the K-Harness. (and the actuator obviously but you will not need either with a CLB.)
Since you have an earlier car I would go to a dealer and have them print out the GM Service History for your VIN. There should NOT be a charge for them to get that info for you. You will want to scan through the info on the report because there may have been more than 1 service done to your car and in a few instances there have been other relays that were installed that need to be bypassed before the CLB will work correctly. If you need info on the other relays if you have one, PM me and I can send you links describing the relays and how to bypass them if need be.
Chuck S. AKA 8VETTE7
Evan
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 518
Likes: 5
From: Acworth Georgia
Ok I feel like an idiot posting on this long and so very informative thread but here's my situation:
01 Z06 "pull key wait 10 sec" "service column lock" yada yada yada
I removed the K harness (do I need to plug the male end of the harness comming from the lock back into anything?) then I unplugged the bypass relay by the BCM (I hope i got the right one... it has one white wire, a green, two orange and a purple heres what it looks like:
I read that I should add a jumper wire in between the white (pin 30) and one of the orange (pin 87) however I cant tell which one is 87 on the diagram it shows that there is an 87 and 87a and the way the diagram shows it it doesnt even look like the white one is pin 30.... my second question is... even after I do this will I still have to get my car reprogrammed by my tuner or will it be drivable?
Also while i was under the passenger side I found this...
Were these cut as part of the factory recall?
01 Z06 "pull key wait 10 sec" "service column lock" yada yada yada
I removed the K harness (do I need to plug the male end of the harness comming from the lock back into anything?) then I unplugged the bypass relay by the BCM (I hope i got the right one... it has one white wire, a green, two orange and a purple heres what it looks like:
I read that I should add a jumper wire in between the white (pin 30) and one of the orange (pin 87) however I cant tell which one is 87 on the diagram it shows that there is an 87 and 87a and the way the diagram shows it it doesnt even look like the white one is pin 30.... my second question is... even after I do this will I still have to get my car reprogrammed by my tuner or will it be drivable?
Also while i was under the passenger side I found this...
Were these cut as part of the factory recall?
Last edited by 11SECSS; Oct 14, 2008 at 01:05 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I have recently purchased an 04 Z06 and have been reading through this thread and just wanted to post my take on this whole CLB situation to see if I'm reading this right. The car only has 5,000 miles on it and as far as I know, the column has never locked.
My 04 has had one of the recalls done, as i pulled the dash apart and found that one side of the ECL had orange, purple, green, and black wires while the other side had white, purple, green, and black wires.
From my understanding I want to add a CLB as soon as possible, so I ordered one from Corvettes of Houston. (It's in the mail at the moment)
While I'm installing the CLB, if I understand everything in this thread correctly, I want to disconnect the K harness?
So at this point it should be impossible for my column to lock correct?
After that, I believe that I need to disable the fuel cutoff feature by using a jumping wire between an orange and a white wire on the recall relay in the passenger footwell. I have little electrical experience, so if someone could tell me how to do this, it would be really helpful. Is it as simple as sticking a wire of similar guage in with the white wire and the orange wire??? Also, which orange wire since there are two and i don't have a wiring diagram to know which pin is pin 87?
So after all this, Is my car safe from the column lock problem?
I've also read about finding a tuner shop with an HP Tuner to have them turn off the column lock and set the fuel shutoff to 200mph. Is this necesarry if you jump the recall relay with the instructions above? Or is this just extra insurance to stop the column lock from happening?
Sorry for the long post and lots of questions, I just wanted to make sure that I understand everything and that it doesn't happen to me!
So if anyone can answer these questions I'd really appreciate it, Thanks.
My 04 has had one of the recalls done, as i pulled the dash apart and found that one side of the ECL had orange, purple, green, and black wires while the other side had white, purple, green, and black wires.
From my understanding I want to add a CLB as soon as possible, so I ordered one from Corvettes of Houston. (It's in the mail at the moment)
While I'm installing the CLB, if I understand everything in this thread correctly, I want to disconnect the K harness?
So at this point it should be impossible for my column to lock correct?
After that, I believe that I need to disable the fuel cutoff feature by using a jumping wire between an orange and a white wire on the recall relay in the passenger footwell. I have little electrical experience, so if someone could tell me how to do this, it would be really helpful. Is it as simple as sticking a wire of similar guage in with the white wire and the orange wire??? Also, which orange wire since there are two and i don't have a wiring diagram to know which pin is pin 87?
So after all this, Is my car safe from the column lock problem?
I've also read about finding a tuner shop with an HP Tuner to have them turn off the column lock and set the fuel shutoff to 200mph. Is this necesarry if you jump the recall relay with the instructions above? Or is this just extra insurance to stop the column lock from happening?
Sorry for the long post and lots of questions, I just wanted to make sure that I understand everything and that it doesn't happen to me!
So if anyone can answer these questions I'd really appreciate it, Thanks.
Last edited by BoilerUp; Oct 16, 2008 at 06:33 PM.