Steering Lock
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville LA
Steering Lock
Newibe to the Corvette world. 2 weeks and counting. Bought a '98 Vert w/5K on the odometer. I have read several posts regarding the steering column locking on its own and was curious as to what the permanent fix would be. Thanks,
BRuce B.
BRuce B.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
From: Newburgh IN
Re: Steering Lock (Bruce B.)
Welcome to the world of Corvettes :yesnod:
Go to the Forum Mall here and look for the Column Lock Bypass Kit sold by a couple of the vendors...Buy it and your worries will be over
It will be the best $65 you will spend for your new baby!
Take care, have fun and hope to :seeya at an event sometime
Go to the Forum Mall here and look for the Column Lock Bypass Kit sold by a couple of the vendors...Buy it and your worries will be over
It will be the best $65 you will spend for your new baby!
Take care, have fun and hope to :seeya at an event sometime
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans, LA
Re: Steering Lock (Bruce B.)
Hi neighbor! In addition to the column lock bypass, you should be aware that GM is doing a recall for column lock problems on certain 1998-2000 Corvettes. People have had mixed opinions abut the recall, but it is an option you might consider. Here is the information from the GM recall:
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic column lock may not function as intended. The condition could result in the failure of the steering column to unlock during initial key-in and start-up. Should the column fail to unlock, the engine will stop running if the vehicle starts to move.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952427 for automatic transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada or repair kit PN 88952428 for all manual transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada. For Corvettes sold in all other countries, both manual and automatic, dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952428.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:
YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green W5123355 W5131069
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green X5100001 X5133283
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green Y5100001 Y5116233
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic column lock may not function as intended. The condition could result in the failure of the steering column to unlock during initial key-in and start-up. Should the column fail to unlock, the engine will stop running if the vehicle starts to move.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952427 for automatic transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada or repair kit PN 88952428 for all manual transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada. For Corvettes sold in all other countries, both manual and automatic, dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952428.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:
YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green W5123355 W5131069
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green X5100001 X5133283
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green Y5100001 Y5116233
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Re: Steering Lock (Bruce B.)
[opinion]
Personally, I believe the only "permanent" fix is the column-lock bypass (CLB). There have been anecdotal reports of recalled cars exhibiting the failure.
[/opinion]
First, check to see if a previous owner might have already installed the CLB on your car - (1) do you hear the lock motor cycle when you turn off the ignition? (It makes a little "errrrk" sound.) (2) With the ignition off, can you turn the steering wheel without feeling a lock condition? If the answer to Q1 is "no," and the answer to Q2 is "yes," then you probably already have a CLB.
If you don't have it, get it!
Welcome aboard! Enjoy the ride!
Personally, I believe the only "permanent" fix is the column-lock bypass (CLB). There have been anecdotal reports of recalled cars exhibiting the failure.
[/opinion]
First, check to see if a previous owner might have already installed the CLB on your car - (1) do you hear the lock motor cycle when you turn off the ignition? (It makes a little "errrrk" sound.) (2) With the ignition off, can you turn the steering wheel without feeling a lock condition? If the answer to Q1 is "no," and the answer to Q2 is "yes," then you probably already have a CLB.
If you don't have it, get it!
Welcome aboard! Enjoy the ride!
