Hi every one, we are still having problems with our 98 pace car in England! We had a recall fix done in May, which added the wire kit 88952427 and new lock, we did not have the ecu reprogrammed as we did not want to lose custom tune (no one in the UK can do them). The car ran fine till last week when I got the pull key message followed by column lock message. We've tried resetting the BCM, fitted a new lock (again) and the dealer here thinks we may have a faulty wire kit which they'll replace and if not he will try to programme our BCM off another ECU so it doesn't disturb our tune, hoping it works soon!

 

Sorry to hear of your problem Ukpacecar. I dont know what to tell you.....I do know one thing for certain. GM WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THESE COLUMN LOCK AND WAIT TEN SECONDS PULL KEY PROBLEMS. MY DEALERSHIP DIDNT EVEN PAY ME FOR THE TOW IN WHICH HAPPENED TWO DAYS AFTER THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY WILL LIE TO GM IN ORDER TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK GOOD. THEY BLAMED MY PROBLEM ON A #23 FUSE AND THEY CHANGE THEIR STORY EVERY TIME SOMEONE ASKS ABOUT IT. BEFORE THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A #25 FUSE. IF IT ACTUALLY WAS A FUSE WHY WHOULD YOU GET ALL THE WAIT TEN SECONDS TO PULL KEY AND SERVICE COLUMN LOCK SHOWING UP ON THE DIC EVERY TIME IT HAD TO BE TOWED IN? I WILL CONTINUE TO OWN CORVETTES HOWEVER I DO NOT LIKE GM VEHICLES ANYMORE AND WOULD NEVER WANT TO OWN ANY OF THEIR OTHER PRODUCTS. I PREFER HONDAS...SOMETHING I NEVER NEVER NEVER WOULD HAVE SAID 10 YEARS AGO. HAD THEY TREATED ME RIGHT ON THE RECALL MAYBE I COULD HAVE BEEN SATISFIED. NOT NOW...NOT EVER"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

have the same problem took the car to the dealer they called me to tell me the car was ready the reprogram lasted 10 seconds they told me they did exactly what GM told them to do and it didn't work I wonder is it legal for them to sell you an unsafe poduct reprogram to me is not a repair how can they not stand behind there top of the line auto thiis is what is killing the US market BS like this.sorry $500 please to fix it.
98 torch red covette
manual 6 speed

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cscokd

Sorry you folks are having such a terrible and stressful experience with the column lock issue. Once you get it really fixed, you'll enjoy it again...trust me. Regards,
John

Let me get this straight with this Column Lock Issue.

All I have to do to solve the problems of the eight pages of this thread is to install a Column Lock Bypass kit?

Since I have had no issues with my Y2K M6 with 20k miles, I was wondering as I read through all of the nightmares this column lock and pull key crap was causing, I couldn't help but wonder if the mileage on the cars or the number of key-cycles would have anything to do with getting these dreaded messages on the DIC.

I had scheduled and cancelled my Mr. Goodwrench appointment to have the recall done. IF by purchasing and installing a CLB, my yet to have problems will not surface........then that is what I will do. As I read about the simplicity of installing the CLB, I was wondering if a novice could do this. I can follow instructions !

I'm just wondering why General Motors won't do the CLB if it solves the problem. It seems cheaper than the fix (that doesn't work) they are putting on the cars.

 

Thanks for this website it is very informative, I am a recent C5 purchaser 1997 with 23000 miles going into my 3d week of ownership it has been to the dealership (3) @$$#@* times and they have found nothing, had the recall (k) harness installed, DEC 2004 service column lock about a half dozen times start but would not go. At fisrt I knew when it was about to happen the moment I inserted the key into the ignition the the drivers seat would move to a predetermined seating not one I had programmed into the memory and the buzzer would sound. I havd done the pull fuse procedure numerous times and maybe after performing that 10-15 times it may start and run. Now it is starting and will run but now that service column lock msg is back and re appearing however the car will start and run this time. I saw a link from the original thread stating info pertaining to a service bulletin concerning the ignition lock cylinder and also showed replacement parts not of the original parts in other words a new part number 12450483 Actuator and 12458190 lock service package (10) to a box what ever it is only $2.00 per not such a big deal. My question is could it be that ignition switch? Has anyone had this same problem, has anyone replaced the parts mentioned above? I contacted a locksmith and he agreed to address this task once the parts arrive. Please help! I previouly owned a C4 40th Anniversary also have a 66 Impala SS 396 & a 65 Stang Coupe for which my Dad is the original owner if I can't lick this problem thinking of going back to FORD with a Saleen. I love my C5 but if Chevy can't do better than this I have to go to Ford or maybe even Chrysler (300C Ha, Ha), just kidding, please someone help me. One more question has anyone changed there lock cylinder, does the PCM need to be reprogrammed afterward?

Thanks again.

Please email me @ gcgxplosv1@aol.com or gralyn.c.gordon@usar.army.mil or gcgxplosv1@yahoo.com

 

You did the right thing (cancelling your appt). Go ahead and order a clb and be done with it.

 

Pace car now sorted (hopefully!) the relay was bad (part 89023816 with white wire. Still have not reprogrammed so really hoping it is ok as we are taking the car to Germany for the Nitrolympix at Hockenheim, just need to sort out a new windshield now!

 

I no sooner had read and digested these articles when my coulmn locked with the error message to take the car in for service. Fortunately it was in my garage and the suggested method in one of the posts of strongly jerking the wheel back & forth worked. It was certainly a disconcerting experience. I have since bought a steering column lock override kit and plan on installing it today. I appreciate these posts since it seems that Chevrolet engineering doesn't quite have a handle on this apparent wide spread problem. I had both recalls done and thought I was home free !

halskis

 

I started working at a Chevrolet dealer about 3 weeks ago and I performed my first Steering Columm Lock recall today.

It was a 98 Auto.

I'll be performing the same recall friday on my 1999 Auto.

 

I have a '98 coupe... without the CLB kit or factory recall fix for the stearing column lock. Last night, when I parked my car and took out the key, I heard the usual sound of the lock mechanism but it didn't lock up the stearing wheel!

Noticing this, I put the key back in and heard the unlocking sound.. removed the key, heard the locking sound but again it didn't lock the stearing wheel. Tried again today, same situation. It's not locking the stearing wheel when I remove the key for some reason.

I'd be more than happy if it would just continue doing this but it's opposite of "unreleasing" lock problem addressed on this thread. Is this a precursor of the dreaded stearing wheel column lock problem and reason for concern?

 

Not only done the recall on mine yesterday, but updated the calibration, that at least fixes my crazy fuel guage.

 

Your wheel has a few different positions it will lock in. If you move it back and forth after you hear the lock mechanism it will lock. I do not think you have any reason to be concerned, other than the fact that the column lock exists in the first place!

 

It can lock in 9 different positions, i'll post a picture latter.

 

Cscokd
One suggestion for the FAQ; I found the above quote a bit confusing. I first thought that a CLB was the solution, so I ordered a CLB, which showed up yesterday, but after reading the above quote in the FAQ I thought I couldn't install it unitil the dealer first "fixed" it, so took it in to the dealer yesterday morning for the recall.

Now that I've read the full 8 pages I think I'm going to call the dealer first thing monday and try to stop them, if they havne't already done it (assuming the previous owner handn't ALREADY had it performed). It soundls like the fix is less realiable, and the Fuel cutoff prettymuch ensures your stranded even if you've bypassed the lock or cut the pin.

Anybody know how the racers deal with this issue? I think I'm going to start emailing a few and see what they have to say.

Thanks everyone for all the good info. Now if i can just get my car back on the road.

 

The reason I recommended the recall if you have an A4 is because the dealer completely disables your column lock unit by replacing the lock plate. This is the best and safest solution in my opinion. The relay harness they install is very similar to the CLB. You are correct however about the recall reliability issues. It's really a personal choice on your part. Hopefully you've found enough info on this thread to make your decision. Thanks for your comments and sorry for any confusion.
John

 

new problems to deal with...

heres my story and how john helped me through it. this gets outta control....

one tuesday on the way back from lunch my car started, rolled out into the street, steering wheel locked and died. of course the column lock and pull key message displayed. i was unfamiliar with this issue at that time. i pushed the car out of the street best i could and took my truck to work. i work at a chrysler dealership, so upon returning i logged in to alldata and found the recall. being an 02, it shows only a program to be done. my local gm dealer employes 4 techs, 3 of which i fired from my dealership for various reasons so no way im going there. i called the gm dealer within our franchise but approx 200 miles away to find the flash had been performed on this car in late 04. now im pissed. car should have been fixed right?

this is when i get desperate. i take a few of my tools to the car, remove the wheel, clockspring etc on the side of the street, and drop down the locking mechanism. i then drive it into my garage with the wheel lightly pushed on the shaft so i dont have to use a puller again.
from there i get the wild hair to grind off the pin. this, in my mind will cause my wheel to never lock and problem should be solved. i do with my bench grinder and reassymble everthing. works like a champ, no messages anything. ....read on....

2 days later the car stalls and repeats the messages. wont run over idle. i get on the forum and read the whole sticky. still have some issues so i contact john (cskod i believe). this guy knows everything there is to know about the issue. he advised me of the microswitch inside the locking pin mech. and how since my pin is ground off but still in the out position the switch is enabling the fuel cutoff. and that i should get a clb kit since the recall did me no good.

i overnight the part from corvettes of houston. part arrives. i follow the instructions as well as insert a bypass wire on my factory installed relay and harness above my bcm. to clarify my 02 was built with the upgraded harness and relay. i didnt know this until john pointed it out and helped me locate the correct wires to bypass. now on this subject, i had some issues determining the correct orange wire to jumper. you will be removing the relay, and making a jumper wire about 3 inches long with a small male spade terminal on both ends insert it into the 30 cavity - white wire, and the 87 cavity - orange wire that is not constantly hot. do not insert into the other all time hot orange wire. im not sure what would happen, just dont do it.

so all is done, clb installed, jumper wire in place. same freaking symptom. so i call john back, (did i forget to mention this guy took the time to call me on my cell for guidance?) he's working but has all the schematics with him! this very helpful man which i will refer to from now on as saint clb, takes over an hour of his personal time to walk me through many different resistance and voltage checks of the system. finally after some time we discover the clb green wire is not switching voltage. talk about make a bad situation worse!!!

i dissasymble the box to find that the spade where the green wire goes is crimped around the green insulation instead of the wire. i remove, strip, solder and reinstall kit and im on the road! been a week with no issues yet, and probably never will have any!

My sincere thanks to all that contributed good info to this issue. And my heartfelt appreciation to john who saved me much time and money during this frustrating situation.

Now knowing what i know about the system if i can be of any help to any other vette owner feel free to contact me. i feel i owe the members of the forum any help i can since i was in turn treated so well here!

kudos john.....

gene

 

Gene,
I was glad to assist...when you love your car and then it does this to you, it's a real let down and frustration followed by anger and loss of confidence. Sort of like having a fight with your woman...lol...anyway I'm here to help and I appreciate your post as it will be helpful to other CF members going thru some of the same frustrations. This was the first instance where I've heard of a CLB quality problem and a very difficult problem to troubleshoot because I assumed since it was new that it was a good CLB. The good news is you're back on the road and enjoying your ride.
Cheers
John

 

 

Thank You for this informative post. Answered alot of my questions. I almost made it 24 hours after buying my 2002 Z-06 before getting steering column lock-out disease. I suspect the dealer where I had the 30k mile service performed just today had the accessory power on for a few hours for whatever reason, and the battery got low and sent a bad signal like mentioned. Thats my theory, and I'll find out manana what the dealer says to that, but I'm f___n pissed! Already a tow to Chevy. $800 for service today (long story) and now this! Ever seen "A Christmas Story" where Peter Billingsley almost does shoot his eye out after he gets his long awaited Red Rider BB Gun (as his mother predicted)?? Right at the "zenith of his joy . . " - that'd be me today. I'm feeling alittle better after a tall Jameson.

 

What are the chances a dealer would install the following on my 99 M6:

1. For A4 cars only: 1997-2000 A4's. (taken from the recall notice)
Install wire kit (Harness K). Remove and discard lock plate, install the "cam orientation plate" where the lock plate previously resided.

2. Reprogram my BCM and/or PCM so that the fuel will not shut off when the car is moved above 2 mph incase of an inadvertent "Service Column Lock" message.

Conclusion:

1. Having the above work done will ensure my car will not be stranded for CL problems of any kind, and...

2. I will not have to worry about a CLB which is theorized by some on this board to cause premature BCM failure.