I am trying to tabulate the number of failures of different components associated with the factory recall and would like to get Corvette Forum Membership input. Please state if you have had the recall work performed, have you had any problems to date and if so what was the failure, i.e., relay, motor, etc.. Identify your car, and what transmission your car is equiped with. If you haven't had the recall performed please specify what other remedies you have had done to mitigate the "Service Steering Column" and "pull key and wait 10 sec" messages appearing on the DIC. I am aware of three failures to date that have been attributed to a failed relay installed with the factory recall.

If you are not sure if your vehicle is included in the factory recall, the following info sent to me by a member of the C5 Registry might help:

If anyone is wondering about the scope of the column lock recall, here are the VIN ranges, as listed in the original dealer notice:

1998 from W5123355 through W5131069;
1999 from W5100001 through W5133283; and
2000 from W5100001 through W5116233.

The notice also said, "Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry system) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs . [Not all vehicles within the above break points may be involved.]"

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

I had the recall performed last week. I never had any problems with the column lock. My 99, had 10,157 miles on it when I took it in.

 

Unfortunatly,I am seeing more posts of members having the recall performend incorrectly,compared to failures after the recall was performend :( ...Maybe this has something to do with it??? ;)

 

On my A4, had it done last week. So far so good.

Speed-Racer

 

Do you know what the problem is when the installation is done incorrectly? Does it have something to do with the relay? I was of the understanding that the relay prevented the "Service Steering Column" message from appearing, but infact when my 2000, 6-speed locked after the "fix" this is the message I got. Do think there might be an intermittent problem with the relay? What other possible failures might occur if the installation is done incorrectly, and that might/might not put the message up on the DIC? .

 

Good post.

I'm included in the recall according to a letter from GM, but I'm concerned about the dealer fixing something that hasn't given me any trouble.

 

I had the new recall work done on my M6. Didn't have a problem before the recall and don't have a problem after. My mechanic showed me the stuff going in, including a new column lock motor module. He has done enough of them by now that he can do the recall work in about an hour. If you don't have a CLB, I recommend you give the recall a try.

 

My column lock got so bad that I would have it @ least 4-5 times a week. Fortunetly for me, I found a way to unlock it once the column got locked. Car is currently @ the dealer for recall work & a few warranty issues.

 

I am quite proud to say that I helped a woman in a country club parking lot who literally had her 99 C5 cabled up and about to be pulled up onto a flatbed. I asked why the car was being towed and she said that she had a column lock message on the dash.

The tow operator said that he tried to get the wheel unlocked for about an hour and could not. However, he didn't know what I knew. I asked if I could try, he chuckled and said it's alright with him if its alright with the owner. She said OK too. I rocked the wheel left and hard to the right while turning the key for about 5 minutes and I finally got it! The tow operator and the woman were amazed.

I highly suggested that she drive it immediately to a dealer and obtain the facotry fix, or even better, the C5Solutions column lock bypass.

The tow operator who said he had seen this before was not aware that the actuator only tries to disengage when the key is turned. He was trying to crank the wheel long after the engine was running. He was going nowhere with that strategy.

This was truly a lousy situation to be in for that woman. I highly suggest everyone get this issue fixed ASAP!

JT