Column lock question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Mineral Wells WV
Column lock question
Hey all. I have read a lot on this subject and yet still very confused. I have a 98 mn6. I just bought it in December. I have a couple questions...
What do I need to do if the column locks on me?
How can I find out if I already have the clb or k harness?
And I remember reading once that in order for the clb to work the column has to be free. Is that true? and How can it be freed if it's locked.
I'm sure that it has been answered many times before but this forums posts reading over and over again and it's just not getting into my head.
What do I need to do if the column locks on me?
How can I find out if I already have the clb or k harness?
And I remember reading once that in order for the clb to work the column has to be free. Is that true? and How can it be freed if it's locked.
I'm sure that it has been answered many times before but this forums posts reading over and over again and it's just not getting into my head.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 22
From: Lititz PA
If your Vette does have the CLB, you will not hear the "buzz" of the lock when you start or turn off the car. If you do not have the CLB and your column locks, you will need to have the car towed or install the CLB. Before you install the bypass, you will need to plug a harness to one side of the column lock harness and another side into the cigarette lighter. Doing so will inactivate the lock for one last time. You then plug the bypass which will prevent the lock from activating again.
It's less than $50 from Corvettes of Houston; to me it's a no brainer purchase.
It's less than $50 from Corvettes of Houston; to me it's a no brainer purchase.
Last edited by YeloFevr; Jun 18, 2007 at 07:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Mineral Wells WV
sorry but thank you. I didn't realize that bypass came with the harness that unlocked the column.
I have never paid any attention to if it's buzz's or not. I will check that.
I have never paid any attention to if it's buzz's or not. I will check that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
It's actually a pretty loud noise, and only lasts about 1 sec. It will occur as soon as the key is put into the ignition and turned on, or it will also do it once the engine is turned off and the key is removed. Just make sure everything is off and quiet when listening for it, and you should hear it working if it's still functional.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 460
Likes: 12
From: Gulf Shores AL
Hey all. I have read a lot on this subject and yet still very confused. I have a 98 mn6. I just bought it in December. I have a couple questions...
What do I need to do if the column locks on me?
How can I find out if I already have the clb or k harness?
And I remember reading once that in order for the clb to work the column has to be free. Is that true? and How can it be freed if it's locked.
I'm sure that it has been answered many times before but this forums posts reading over and over again and it's just not getting into my head.
What do I need to do if the column locks on me?
How can I find out if I already have the clb or k harness?
And I remember reading once that in order for the clb to work the column has to be free. Is that true? and How can it be freed if it's locked.
I'm sure that it has been answered many times before but this forums posts reading over and over again and it's just not getting into my head.
there are a variety of fixes advocated on the board for a locked column. The only one that has worked for me is (violently) shaking the steering wheel side to side. After several attempts, the column eventually frees up.
Mr Goodwrench also suggested disconnecting the battery and touching positive and negative together to ground out the system (never tried this).
Other folks have had success with pulling Fuse #25.
Anyway, I'm not the expert on this, just a recent victim of this problem.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Landisville PA
Do the CLB while the column lock is still functional. It will save so much grief should the column lock on you and leave you stranded.
It should take no more than 15 minutes to install if you take your time.
Just wedge yourself under the drivers side dash and unplug the stock harness that goes to the column lock, install the new bypass and be done with it.
You'll be glad you did.
It should take no more than 15 minutes to install if you take your time.
Just wedge yourself under the drivers side dash and unplug the stock harness that goes to the column lock, install the new bypass and be done with it.
You'll be glad you did.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
I just went through this on my 02 Z.
like said above, if you get in the car before you put the key in just turn the wheel side to side. If it's locked, then you DO NOT have a CLB.
If the column does lock on you, you can try jerking the steering wheel side to side without the key in the ignition! And most of the time it will unlock, but this is only a quick fix. From my experiance it will happen again. I used this method to unlock my column, and it took over a year for it to happen again.
But do yourslef a favor, and get a CLB already!!!
like said above, if you get in the car before you put the key in just turn the wheel side to side. If it's locked, then you DO NOT have a CLB.
If the column does lock on you, you can try jerking the steering wheel side to side without the key in the ignition! And most of the time it will unlock, but this is only a quick fix. From my experiance it will happen again. I used this method to unlock my column, and it took over a year for it to happen again.
But do yourslef a favor, and get a CLB already!!!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: irvine CA
Hope you see a pattern here. Everyone recommends the CLB device. I was stubborn or maybe it was just the principle. I took it 2 different dealerships to fix their engineering mistake. Both times FAILED! So after being stuck in the parking lot for a almost 5 hours (by the way, violently shaking the steering wheel does NOT work if the lock plate has been removed. Mine was removed on the 2nd recall). So I had to walk home, get my tools, drive back in the commuter car, take the column housing off, and play with the lock actuator. After a few pokes at the black plastic pin, it moved and the car was able to start without the message.
Next day, I ordered the CLB from Thunder Racing. Then for the next week, i left the column housing off so I can help it unlock. When the CLB arrived, I put it in right away. After that, it has been about 40 days, ZERO dic messages about service column lock or the pull key for 10 seconds. Before the CLB, every 2-3 days, it would appear.
Next day, I ordered the CLB from Thunder Racing. Then for the next week, i left the column housing off so I can help it unlock. When the CLB arrived, I put it in right away. After that, it has been about 40 days, ZERO dic messages about service column lock or the pull key for 10 seconds. Before the CLB, every 2-3 days, it would appear.