After reading the sticky on the Column Lock problem I just wanted to confirm my options. I have a 98 A4 with the GM K harness. Currently my DIC shows pull key and wait 10 secs and Service Column Lock however the wheel is not locked. It will not drive however as the fuel cuts out. I beleive my two options are to:

1) Replace the K harness
2) Remove it and install a CLB

My question is if I purchase a CLB will it eliminate the fuel cutoff or at least let me drive it to the dealer reprogrammed.

 

The CLB will not solve the fuel cutoff problem. It will help getting the correct signal to the BCM though. From my experience, the dealer won't re-flash your PCM back to prior the recall. I'm doing all I can to find someone capable of doing just that. If I come up with anything, I'll let you know. Good luck.

 

The column lock by-pass contains a relay that performs the same function as the Harness K relay. If the correct signal is sent back to the BCM telling it that the column is unlocked, the fuel should not be cut off. Either the aftermarket by-pass or Harness K should make the system work properly. The problem has been that the relays in the GM harness are prone to premature failure. I have an original Harness K in my 2004 Z06 and it is still working fine.

 

Once the recall has been done, the CLB kit is useless.

 

Incorrect. Either of the two options above should work assuming components are working properly. Fuel shut off should not be an issue once K Harness or CLB are working properly.

 

So what you are saying is that once I have the recalls done I can still put the CLB and it will work correct???

 

If you had the recall done then why install a CLB or leave one in when the little relay over time gets weaker and road bumps can trip relay in wrong state ?

Kinda waste of money to me.

The flashing of PCM for the fuel injectors was needed since on startup if the voltage is lower then normal the PCM would be increasing injector ON time so it still would be supplying fuel to engine when no fuel is wanted if the steering wheel is still locked.

 

Some clarifications. The CLB and the Harness K do exactly the same thing - they provide the BCM with the correct CL state so it doesn't cut fuel. The problem is that the Harness K is an inferior product. It still provides power to the CL (I can't figure out why since the CL locking plate is removed so it can't lock) and either the CL or in conjunction with the Harness K often sends incorrect states to the BCM causing the PCM to cut fuel. The CLB does not provide power to the CL (CL is disconnected unlocked) and being a solid state device does NOT trip over bumps. Mine has served me well for over 6 years.

Also, the PCM reflash was an interim solution for MN6 cars to address a corner condition where low battery voltage could result in the BCM not detecting a CL LOCK condition hence allowing the PCM to provide fuel and resulting in someone driving with a locked wheel. This solution included a special relay spliced into the BCM wiring, but the latest recalls do not do this anymore since the solution is to disable the CL all together.

The problem is, GM can't get it right. So, even if you've had the latest GM recall performed, your best solution is to remove the Harness K and install the CLB.

 

JC has it right.

I would add one more comment to above. Once you've had the interim MN6 relay mod that got tucked up above your BCM, neither the K Harness nor the CLB will work reliably because of contact switching glitches produced by this relay. I have been advising folks to remove it and restore this wiring back to original. This may be where some confusion is coming from when some folks say the CLB will not work once the recall mods have been installed. But with the latest recall, the Column Lock is no longer mechanically functional, this relay circuit as well as the fuel cut off programming are simply causing more confusion and headaches. You must have either a working K Harness OR a CLB. If you can find a K Harness with a good relay, it should work reliably.
John

 

Thanks for your help guys it turned out that the relay had failed so I removed the K harness installed a CLB, cleared the codes and everything is fine.

 

 

Bumping this thread, because it seems the most educated players are subscribed to it:

I bought my 99 MN6 used. The previous owner stated that he had the GM Column Lock recall performed (not sure which one). But, the column would still lock and fuel would be cutoff.

I bought and installed a CLB, thinking this would solve all my problems, but the fuel is still being cutoff. I don't get any error messages or anything, I just stop halfway out of my parking place. It generally takes 2 or 3 restarts to get going again.

I assume (from my reading) that I have a BCM relay installed that's acting twitchy. Could someone please do a quick, but detailed, step-by-step for me to help determine if I have a relay installed? (like, where is it and what does it look like?) And could you walk me through its removal or the best way to fix my problem?

Any help would be appreciated. Otherwise, I'll have to take it to the dealer.

 

Cscokd has detailed information on how to indentify and remove a BCM relay that may be causing the problem.
Check out this link

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1455547

and/or send him a direct message. He can e-mail you a document with the details.
A quote from John,
"This extra relay we've all been talking about located near the BCM was installed on MN6 cars only (I think). It appears to be a feeble attempt by GM to prevent the column lock motor from receiving a LOCK command while driving. While the column lock motor was connected and working, it's response is so slow (seconds) that it would never see these timing glitches on the UNLOCK or LOCK signals. Then GM installed the K Harness and removed the lock plate. I'm coming to the conclusion that they left the column lock motor connected because it acted as a filter of sorts to dampen out any relay switching glitches which allowed the K Harness to operate more reliably. Unfortunately they chose a cheap relay and their efforts have been in vain. The problem is that the K Harness AND the CLB switch in milliseconds compared the column lock motor. So any switching glitches on the LOCK or UNLOCK signals may cause the CLB or K Harness to unintentionally change states. This is why many have observed that their CLB switches as expected but then immediately switches back again. When this happens, the BCM becomes confused, displays error messages and commands the PCM to shut off the fuel. I also know many of the later model MN6 cars came from the factory with the extra relay already installed. I'm not sure what year it was added to factory built cars. So my advice to this point has been to remove it and bypass it. In nearly every case removing this extra relay has solved any CLB operational problems. Why do some cars with the extra relay work with the CLB and some don't? My thinking is variations in relay sensitivity, switching speed, temperature, etc. Get rid of this relay. Use the KISS technique - "Keep It Simple Stupid". I hope this helps explain things a bit better. As always, I'm glad to help if you get stuck...just email or PM me.
Cheers,
John"
mailto:john_neese@msn.com

 

Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!

 

Not sure how that happened. Guess my computer got a case of the hic-cups.

 

Question. To prevent any problems at all. Would it be possible to pull the lock plate and then wire the fuel pump relay to a different switched fuse?