Coumn lock survey
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Coumn lock survey
I would be interested in the number of individuals who have experienced column lock after all recalls were performed by dealer. This does not apply to those with bypass (I am assuming the bypass was successful) - Just interested in what my chances are of getting stranded. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Your chances of eventually being stranded w/ an M6 and the stock CL assembly (no CLB installed) is 100%. Not if, when. The GM recall does not address the real issue, only CYA for them. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Auto tranny folks have NOTHING to worry about. The locking plate is removed from the column! You have the shift lock cable as a theft deterrent back up!
For us MN6/MN12 folks, If GM removes the Column Lock,, we will not have ant Theft Deterrent system left. All the recall does is add a software change that tells the PCM to "CUT THE FUEL" in the event that the column is lock and the car is moving. So,,,,,,,,,not only are you screwed in the fact that you cant turn the wheel, the engine wont run!
The column lock takes care of the problem! PERIOD! I got BIT while I was at Carsile PA 2 yrs ago in my 98 Coupe. NEVER AGAIN! Column Lock is in the 98 and,, have had the recall done on my 02 Z06 and the column lock was installed a week later!!! It's working fine!
If you live close to me I will install it for you if you dont know how! How's that for service!
Bill C
For us MN6/MN12 folks, If GM removes the Column Lock,, we will not have ant Theft Deterrent system left. All the recall does is add a software change that tells the PCM to "CUT THE FUEL" in the event that the column is lock and the car is moving. So,,,,,,,,,not only are you screwed in the fact that you cant turn the wheel, the engine wont run!
The column lock takes care of the problem! PERIOD! I got BIT while I was at Carsile PA 2 yrs ago in my 98 Coupe. NEVER AGAIN! Column Lock is in the 98 and,, have had the recall done on my 02 Z06 and the column lock was installed a week later!!! It's working fine!
If you live close to me I will install it for you if you dont know how! How's that for service!
Bill C
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 19
From: Carson City, NV
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
If you live close to me I will install it for you if you dont know how! How's that for service!
Bill C
Bill C
John
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I purchased my 98 coupe NEW in early 98. There were TON of people having column lock issue! There were 5-6 post a day. Man,,,,,I thought I was invincible! Five years later,, out of NO WHERE,, it got me! So,,now what do I do, I am 400 miles from home and 20 miles from the nearest dealer ship and the car is OUT of warrenty? Lucky for me, I was able to do the steering wheel pull and twist and got it to work. Installed the column lock a few day later! 
BC
BC
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Less than two months after the dealership performed the recall on my C5, the column, the lock decided to stay in the locked position. NOTHING I could do woould get it to unlock, so I had to have it flatbedded to the dealership. The actuator was fried and I figured that it lasted 1500 actuations before dying. It's not a question of "if"; rather, it's a question of "when" yours will fail!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1015483
Here is a nice thread to explain the whole issue if you havent seen it already.
The basic conclusion is:
Auto cars: go to dealer, have them remove the locking plate, install the harness K.
Manuals: get the column lock bypass. I just saw it for $45 on Thunderracing.com. This is the cheapest I have seen.
No worries
Here is a nice thread to explain the whole issue if you havent seen it already.
The basic conclusion is:
Auto cars: go to dealer, have them remove the locking plate, install the harness K.
Manuals: get the column lock bypass. I just saw it for $45 on Thunderracing.com. This is the cheapest I have seen.
No worries
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
It got me while I was at the lake. Stranded for 5 days sitting alone at the lake, 
I had a ride home and ordered the bypass and installed it, havent had any problems out of it. A very must purchase if you have a M6.
I had a ride home and ordered the bypass and installed it, havent had any problems out of it. A very must purchase if you have a M6.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,896
Likes: 26
From: Manchester - Political correctness is tyranny with manners.
Originally Posted by 2kdan
I would be interested in the number of individuals who have experienced column lock after all recalls were performed by dealer. This does not apply to those with bypass (I am assuming the bypass was successful) - Just interested in what my chances are of getting stranded. Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,961
Likes: 2
From: Vette-hid.com Lost in DFW texas
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by 2kdan
I would be interested in the number of individuals who have experienced column lock after all recalls were performed by dealer. This does not apply to those with bypass (I am assuming the bypass was successful) - Just interested in what my chances are of getting stranded. Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Originally Posted by 2kdan
I would be interested in the number of individuals who have experienced column lock after all recalls were performed by dealer. This does not apply to those with bypass (I am assuming the bypass was successful) - Just interested in what my chances are of getting stranded. Thanks.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Milford Michigan
Column Lock Issues
My 99 6-speed coupe left me stranded on the fourth floor of a parking garage in downtown Indy,and I live in Detroit. Indy dealer sent two tech's in a pickup to help. They ended up on their cell phone to Chevy Engineering. Pulled battery cable and reinstalled. Problem fixed. Went to local dealer when I returned and they replaced the actuator.
Fired up my 2004 6-speed convertible after the winter nap and noticed the LCD display saying "Service Column Lock", but the whell was still free to move. Looks like my first trip this spring is to the dealer.
Will be installing the kit real soon.
Scott
Fired up my 2004 6-speed convertible after the winter nap and noticed the LCD display saying "Service Column Lock", but the whell was still free to move. Looks like my first trip this spring is to the dealer.
Will be installing the kit real soon.
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,948
Likes: 6,752
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Recall! We don't need no stinkin' recall! 
Well, not since the recall doesn't fix the problem... 
Bill Dearborn: Wait until your battery starts to die.
Well, not since the recall doesn't fix the problem... Bill Dearborn: Wait until your battery starts to die.
Last edited by Avanti; Apr 4, 2005 at 11:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
I purchased my 98 coupe NEW in early 98. There were TON of people having column lock issue! There were 5-6 post a day. Man,,,,,I thought I was invincible! Five years later,, out of NO WHERE,, it got me! So,,now what do I do, I am 400 miles from home and 20 miles from the nearest dealer ship and the car is OUT of warrenty? Lucky for me, I was able to do the steering wheel pull and twist and got it to work. Installed the column lock a few day later!
BC
BC
Thanks for your kind offer to install bypass. IF I was closer I would be tempted to take up your offer. the instructions I've seen and read still make me hesitate. Has anyone had a shop perform it. I live about 20 miles SW of Boston. (Obvioulsy the shop needs to know this fix well or I wouldn't trust them). Actually, I meant to confine my poll to MN6 only since the recall works for automatics.