Column Lock Message With Recall Done on A4 - Flatbed Time- Why?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 167
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Column Lock Message With Recall Done on A4 - Flatbed Time- Why?
I'm pissed...just back from flatbedding the '98 A4 to the dealer after the Service Column Lock Message came on. This is after about an hour pounding the wheel and taking off the battery and removing fuses....nothing. The wheel is free to move....wierd? This is after the recall was done about last year. Why would this happen with a new plate installed?
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Even with the locking plate removed so the wheel can't lock, there is a relay harness (Harness K) that is connected between the CL motor and the BCM to simulate the correct lock/unlock state to the BCM.
The BCM needs to receive the correct lock/unlock state otherwise it enters a Fail Enable mode and instructs the PCM to cut fuel if the car is moved. The recall prevents the wheel from locking but must still keep the BCM happy hence the reason for the Harness K.
HOWEVER! The GM Harness K is known to have problems as reported many times on this forum. The CLB performs the same function as the Harness K, so replacing the Harness K with the CLB should be a more reliable solution (read the massive sticky post at the top of this forum). There are some issues with early C5s including 97 and 98 years working with the CLB, so speak to one of the experts at the CLB vendor to confirm.
Good Luck.
The BCM needs to receive the correct lock/unlock state otherwise it enters a Fail Enable mode and instructs the PCM to cut fuel if the car is moved. The recall prevents the wheel from locking but must still keep the BCM happy hence the reason for the Harness K.
HOWEVER! The GM Harness K is known to have problems as reported many times on this forum. The CLB performs the same function as the Harness K, so replacing the Harness K with the CLB should be a more reliable solution (read the massive sticky post at the top of this forum). There are some issues with early C5s including 97 and 98 years working with the CLB, so speak to one of the experts at the CLB vendor to confirm.
Good Luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Originally Posted by RedC5
I'm pissed...just back from flatbedding the '98 A4 to the dealer after the Service Column Lock Message came on. This is after about an hour pounding the wheel and taking off the battery and removing fuses....nothing. The wheel is free to move....wierd? This is after the recall was done about last year. Why would this happen with a new plate installed?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 167
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Just got my C5 back after a $567 bill to replace the actuator......dealer would not budge on the actuator being part of the recall. Do I have any chance to get some reimbursment back from GM? Who to call?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO.
Originally Posted by RedC5
Just got my C5 back after a $567 bill to replace the actuator......dealer would not budge on the actuator being part of the recall. Do I have any chance to get some reimbursment back from GM? Who to call?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Perry Hall MD
Originally Posted by RedC5
Just got my C5 back after a $567 bill to replace the actuator......dealer would not budge on the actuator being part of the recall. Do I have any chance to get some reimbursment back from GM? Who to call?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Originally Posted by C5-BRUCE
Maybe I'm missing something, but I continue to be amazed that dealers are replacing actuators? The current/final recall eliminates/disables the locking plate, so why replace the actuator when there's nothing to actuate? And to answer your reimbursment question, the actuator has never been part of any recall, and would only be covered under the factory, or extended GMPP warranty.
I am currently fighting them.
I know...my column lock motor was replaced as the fix...then 1 year later they say they are going to disarm the whole thing.
There is talk about a class action in another thread...I am all in on that...any word???
