Feb 20, 2015, 12:05 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
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Steering Column Lock FAQs - please read before you post (sticky please)
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 13
My original relay looks 100% perfect inside, and I get a Service Column Lock message with the brand new one installed. Seeing as how GM couldn't get this system to work right anyway, I'm putting my money on the homebrew CLB and a jumper wire in place of the relay. What a stupid system...
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
GM is dodging a bullet
My 2001 coupe, owned since new, was serviced under the column lock recall in 2004. Now it's stuck with a locked column in the garage. Any point in calling GM? If so what's the number?
6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Golden Colorado
I am the original owner of an '04 Vert / 6 spd manual.
Battery died over the winter. Jump started it with another vehicle. Had 2 warnings on the DIC - Service Active Handling and Service Column Lock - otherwise it was fine. Drove it up the street, turned around and parked it in the driveway.
Knew the battery was toast so I went and bought a replacement at the local auto parts store. After installing it that's when the fuel shut off began to occur. After research I returned the battery and bought the recommended battery from the dealership.
After I installed the 2nd battery I got the "Pull Key, Wait ..." message. (I hadn't received this DIC request before this).
Did, but still have the Service Column Lock message and still the fuel system is shutting off ...
My column works fine. When the key is removed the column locks. When the key is inserted the column unlocks.
Everything appears to be 'normal' except that the fuel system shuts off as soon as it moves forward or backward ...
Battery died over the winter. Jump started it with another vehicle. Had 2 warnings on the DIC - Service Active Handling and Service Column Lock - otherwise it was fine. Drove it up the street, turned around and parked it in the driveway.
Knew the battery was toast so I went and bought a replacement at the local auto parts store. After installing it that's when the fuel shut off began to occur. After research I returned the battery and bought the recommended battery from the dealership.
After I installed the 2nd battery I got the "Pull Key, Wait ..." message. (I hadn't received this DIC request before this).
Did, but still have the Service Column Lock message and still the fuel system is shutting off ...
My column works fine. When the key is removed the column locks. When the key is inserted the column unlocks.
Everything appears to be 'normal' except that the fuel system shuts off as soon as it moves forward or backward ...
Last edited by BigBill303; May 21, 2015 at 12:57 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 13
6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Golden Colorado
Is that the LMC5 Module from Compliance Parts?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 174,312
Likes: 1,217
From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
Tampa Regional Coordinator
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Organizer St. Jude Fundraiser
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I have a CLB for sale if anyone is interested, parting out the car so PM me if interested...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,409
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky basketball is life the rest is just details
Mine locked after 13 years of ownership and no recalls done. I chose the LMC5 over a recall because I don't want the dealership messing with the car with all the mods it has. It installed easily, but the column unlocker did not work. Compliance Parts responded very quickly to an email. They told me to call them and they'd walk me through unjamming the lock motor. I'm trying to find time to work on it again. Hopefully tomorrow.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Just thought I'd add my experience today here....
2002 6MT 57K miles.
Recall for disabling the steering lock done 2004. Recall for adding the K-Harness done 2008.
Been driving fine last 3 weeks. Running errands today no problems. Got to work and had to move my car after sitting for about 15 minutes. remove key. ok. Service column lock. Then it just says Service column lock. Seems to take like 15 mins and it resets. Says remove key first and then Service column lock only. Of course fuel cutoff at 2 mph. Not driveable. Ugh.... Why now?
Ok. So tried a different key. No go. Tried putting a 10 amp battery charger on. No go. Tried disconnecting the battery for 20 mins. No go. Disconnected the battery for 30 mins. No go. Got under the steering wheel (4 screws) and took the K Harness out of the loop and restored original connection. Fixed the problem. At least well enough to get me home. Yes, I will get an LMC5, but maybe if you're in a jam and reading this stranded in a parking lot like I damn near almost was, mabey you happen to have a small torx bit so you can remove the knee panel under the steering wheel and get rid of the damn k harness and get on your way! Good luck...
-Jeff
2002 6MT 57K miles.
Recall for disabling the steering lock done 2004. Recall for adding the K-Harness done 2008.
Been driving fine last 3 weeks. Running errands today no problems. Got to work and had to move my car after sitting for about 15 minutes. remove key. ok. Service column lock. Then it just says Service column lock. Seems to take like 15 mins and it resets. Says remove key first and then Service column lock only. Of course fuel cutoff at 2 mph. Not driveable. Ugh.... Why now?
Ok. So tried a different key. No go. Tried putting a 10 amp battery charger on. No go. Tried disconnecting the battery for 20 mins. No go. Disconnected the battery for 30 mins. No go. Got under the steering wheel (4 screws) and took the K Harness out of the loop and restored original connection. Fixed the problem. At least well enough to get me home. Yes, I will get an LMC5, but maybe if you're in a jam and reading this stranded in a parking lot like I damn near almost was, mabey you happen to have a small torx bit so you can remove the knee panel under the steering wheel and get rid of the damn k harness and get on your way! Good luck...
-Jeff
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
UGH, had my Z for 4 days and the column lock message appeared. Scanned the BCM, stored code for a key pellet. I read sometime it can happen with low battery voltage and i have a super ****** walmart battery so im gunna try and interstate or optimo and a new key first probably before i go cutting into my BCM harness. Good news is if i go ape **** on the column than put the key back in, itll unlock itself.
UPDATE: Called at the dealership to ask about the recall. They told me its already been done on my vehicle. Changed the walmart battery to an interstate MT-75, car unlocked itself on the next key cycle and has been fine ever since.
UPDATE: Called at the dealership to ask about the recall. They told me its already been done on my vehicle. Changed the walmart battery to an interstate MT-75, car unlocked itself on the next key cycle and has been fine ever since.
Last edited by GM350Z; Jun 24, 2015 at 10:59 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: South River NJ
SO, I installed the LCM5 yesterday, not realizing I needed to unlock the steering wheel first. Out of the three wires removed, green, purple, and orange, what did these do? Can I simply apply power to the correct wire to run the steering wheel lock motor in the correct direction to unlock it for good? I can't find anything regarding the wiring.
Or, do I have to put it all back to original, turn the key on, make sure it unlocks, then disconnect the battery while the wheel is unlocked, and re-install the LCM5? Right now car is stuck in the driveway with no way to move it.
Or, do I have to put it all back to original, turn the key on, make sure it unlocks, then disconnect the battery while the wheel is unlocked, and re-install the LCM5? Right now car is stuck in the driveway with no way to move it.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
SO, I installed the LCM5 yesterday, not realizing I needed to unlock the steering wheel first. Out of the three wires removed, green, purple, and orange, what did these do? Can I simply apply power to the correct wire to run the steering wheel lock motor in the correct direction to unlock it for good? I can't find anything regarding the wiring.
Or, do I have to put it all back to original, turn the key on, make sure it unlocks, then disconnect the battery while the wheel is unlocked, and re-install the LCM5? Right now car is stuck in the driveway with no way to move it.
Or, do I have to put it all back to original, turn the key on, make sure it unlocks, then disconnect the battery while the wheel is unlocked, and re-install the LCM5? Right now car is stuck in the driveway with no way to move it.
Let me know how it goes with this. I am about to install a couple and this exact question was on my mind. I was figuring the install instructions would address this. I was thinking I would just turn on the key and disconnect the motor at that time and then proceed with the LMC5 installation as normal. Please share what they recommend as to how to proceed. Thank you.
-Jeff
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: South River NJ
Hey Mike,
Let me know how it goes with this. I am about to install a couple and this exact question was on my mind. I was figuring the install instructions would address this. I was thinking I would just turn on the key and disconnect the motor at that time and then proceed with the LMC5 installation as normal. Please share what they recommend as to how to proceed. Thank you.
-Jeff
Let me know how it goes with this. I am about to install a couple and this exact question was on my mind. I was figuring the install instructions would address this. I was thinking I would just turn on the key and disconnect the motor at that time and then proceed with the LMC5 installation as normal. Please share what they recommend as to how to proceed. Thank you.
-Jeff
You will start the LMC5 installation, and towards the end, before you reinstall the BCM into position, you will use the unlock kit. Very simple, took me a few minutes and I was done!
If your wheel does not lock, then you don't need the unlock kit. All his unlock kit does is run the motor in the correct direction to unlock the wheel, that's it. Once unlocked, it can never lock again. That is because the BCM no longer has control over that motor due to the installation of the LMC5.
All in all, about 1/2 hour installation project, unless you're in better shape than me!
I gotta say, he is FAST! I ordered the unlock kit on Saturday and had it today on Monday, that is amazing! Now my wife can drive her car, she'll be VERY HAPPY!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 72
From: Seminole, FL
I bought the bypass from Corvette Central first (silly me) because I didn't see the LMC5 part of this. Anyways, it didn't work. Called Corvette Central and they referred me to some place in Houston, TX. Called them and spoke with their tech. "Refund". Sent it back. Bought the LMC5 and it installed slick as butter.
Problem solved. Waiting for refund from Corvette Central.
Problem solved. Waiting for refund from Corvette Central.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Golden Colorado
Steering Column Lock
So I researched and found many threads referencing the issue I was having with my Service Steering Column Lock message (as mentioned above) ..
After receiving some tech advice from Paul we began to narrow it down to the Steering Column Lock Actuator Motor.
I had that replaced and all is good now.
What I've learned is that solutions can vary, whether it be the lock motor, harness, bypass, relay or just the battery replacement .... it all starts with the battery voltage ..
Keep your battery fresh and this shouldn't happen ..... lesson learned.
After receiving some tech advice from Paul we began to narrow it down to the Steering Column Lock Actuator Motor.
I had that replaced and all is good now.
What I've learned is that solutions can vary, whether it be the lock motor, harness, bypass, relay or just the battery replacement .... it all starts with the battery voltage ..
Keep your battery fresh and this shouldn't happen ..... lesson learned.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Milpitas CA
LMC5 variations
I installed an LMC5 on my 03Z recently. I also replaced my 9 year old battery. I've never had a service column lock or "pull key . . ." issue, but installed the LMC5 as a preventative measure.
I am now getting 30%-50% "pull key . . ." messages. I plan to do the brown wire mod this afternoon. Is the brown wire mod an alternate to the 5 wire LMC5, or is that the "final solution"?
Pat
I am now getting 30%-50% "pull key . . ." messages. I plan to do the brown wire mod this afternoon. Is the brown wire mod an alternate to the 5 wire LMC5, or is that the "final solution"?
Pat
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Montgomery Texas
So I have just bought a 2000 coupe with 2900 miles on it, a week later the service column lock showed up, ordered LMC5 and got a new Battery, Charged Battery to 100% and problem resolved, will keep trickle charger on Battery and should I install LMC5 to be on the safe side?
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 151
Likes: 3
From: Pennsylvania
LMC5 in, and leave it in.
So I have just bought a 2000 coupe with 2900 miles on it, a week later the service column lock showed up, ordered LMC5 and got a new Battery, Charged Battery to 100% and problem resolved, will keep trickle charger on Battery and should I install LMC5 to be on the safe side?
Absolutely!!!
With it installed you will NEVER have the problem show up. You don't want to be in the shady part of town getting gas in the wee hours and not be able to start your car.
Keeping the car on a Battery Tender type trickle charger is a good thing to do unless yours is a daily driver. If you do a search you will also find a list of suggested batteries for your car. Not every battery is the same. I have an AGM battery so there is less chance of acid leaking onto the precious wires under the battery tray. This is another issue to be wary of.
Get that LMC5 installed, and leave it there.
