My 98 is DEAD!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,703
Likes: 1
From: Don't taze me 'Bro! VA
My 98 is DEAD!
Drove to my friends house to watch the Wizards game. Went to leave and the DIC lights up SERVICE COLUMN LOCK and the car dies. Now, it starts but shuts off after I move a few feet. I guess it's a fuel shutoff of some sort 
The wheel still turns so not a "column lock".
Is it off to the GM dealer in the morning (by way of a tow truck)?
Anybody experience this? I posted this on C5 General as well but I'm trying to pick as many brains as possible here.
FYI- Factory recall on column lock was done in 06. And don't tell me I need a CLB....I already know this
The wheel still turns so not a "column lock". Is it off to the GM dealer in the morning (by way of a tow truck)?
Anybody experience this? I posted this on C5 General as well but I'm trying to pick as many brains as possible here.
FYI- Factory recall on column lock was done in 06. And don't tell me I need a CLB....I already know this
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yeah, you got the dreaded lock problem. Yes, you are correct that the engine is killed when you start to move it. The system thinks the column is locked up therefore won't allow you to drive away. The CLB is needed.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
It's your Vats chip or ignition switch. Clean your key wiggle it could help. I had a car that I reflashed the computer that had the exact same problem. I bypassed the Vats and the car started right up and drove great.
If you can find someone local with Efi Live they can bypass the Vats and on 97-98 it doesn't cost them a credit. I would do it myself if you were local!!!
If you can find someone local with Efi Live they can bypass the Vats and on 97-98 it doesn't cost them a credit. I would do it myself if you were local!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
did you get the remove key 10 second message?
i don't remember the exact dic message but try turning your key to the run position for 10 and then off and remove the key. after a bit mine started and drove fine for year and a half now.
p.s. i did do the clb after that!
i don't remember the exact dic message but try turning your key to the run position for 10 and then off and remove the key. after a bit mine started and drove fine for year and a half now.
p.s. i did do the clb after that!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
VATS Issue!!!
Clean the resistor chip in the key and give it a retry. It could also be a bad ignition switch cylinder where the contacts inside the switch are bad and wont read the keys resistor pellet.
Clean the resistor chip in the key and give it a retry. It could also be a bad ignition switch cylinder where the contacts inside the switch are bad and wont read the keys resistor pellet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 226
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
go Spartan on the CL, at the same time as turning the key ON, have extreme CW pressure on the wheel, it will POP
I've done this on many cars dozens of times
I finally installed the CLB from CoH
I've done this on many cars dozens of times
I finally installed the CLB from CoH
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,703
Likes: 1
From: Don't taze me 'Bro! VA
Dealer is saying my "steering column lock accuator motor" needs to be replaced to the tune of $540 which I have to pay because they say this is NOT RELATED to the column lock recall repair.
Why am I not surprised?
Think it would do any good to complain to GM?
Why am I not surprised?
Think it would do any good to complain to GM?
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
Last edited by Wicked C5; Nov 2, 2007 at 04:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,703
Likes: 1
From: Don't taze me 'Bro! VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
When I had the VATS issue, it would not even start. I would turn the key and nothing, all just went dead. The security light would then flash, and I had to wait 5 minutes for it to reset before I could try to restart.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,703
Likes: 1
From: Don't taze me 'Bro! VA
I wont hear back from GM until Monday but they seemed a little skeptical about the contents of this letter posted above here. The rep was very nice but she basically said, " I can't tell you yes we will pay for it or no we won't at this point". I guess that's better than a definite NO!
Also, I got to thinking last night that the local dealer is screwing me. They said I needed a new column lock accuator motor. Well, I can still hear the one that's in it now making that god awful noise it does when you pull the key........so, something doesn't sound right to me?
Also, I got to thinking last night that the local dealer is screwing me. They said I needed a new column lock accuator motor. Well, I can still hear the one that's in it now making that god awful noise it does when you pull the key........so, something doesn't sound right to me?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
I wont hear back from GM until Monday but they seemed a little skeptical about the contents of this letter posted above here. The rep was very nice but she basically said, " I can't tell you yes we will pay for it or no we won't at this point". I guess that's better than a definite NO!
Also, I got to thinking last night that the local dealer is screwing me. They said I needed a new column lock accuator motor. Well, I can still hear the one that's in it now making that god awful noise it does when you pull the key........so, something doesn't sound right to me?
Also, I got to thinking last night that the local dealer is screwing me. They said I needed a new column lock accuator motor. Well, I can still hear the one that's in it now making that god awful noise it does when you pull the key........so, something doesn't sound right to me?
Let me know if you need me to fax a copy of the letter. I work for automotive software company and have access to all the TSB's Recalls and letters to customers for most cars. It's there letter written by GM there shouldn't be any reason for you to have to lay out a dime. Personally I think this would never get to court. It's a known issue,It has a recall associated with it and then this letter saying the warranty is extended on this issue that just came out last year just play hard ball with them and I think you will win.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,703
Likes: 1
From: Don't taze me 'Bro! VA
Let me know if you need me to fax a copy of the letter. I work for automotive software company and have access to all the TSB's Recalls and letters to customers for most cars. It's there letter written by GM there shouldn't be any reason for you to have to lay out a dime. Personally I think this would never get to court. It's a known issue,It has a recall associated with it and then this letter saying the warranty is extended on this issue that just came out last year just play hard ball with them and I think you will win.
Thanks a million
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 768
Likes: 25
From: Cape Cod
It's your Vats chip or ignition switch. Clean your key wiggle it could help. I had a car that I reflashed the computer that had the exact same problem. I bypassed the Vats and the car started right up and drove great.
If you can find someone local with Efi Live they can bypass the Vats and on 97-98 it doesn't cost them a credit. I would do it myself if you were local!!!
If you can find someone local with Efi Live they can bypass the Vats and on 97-98 it doesn't cost them a credit. I would do it myself if you were local!!!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
i am having the same freaking problem with my 98. i will be driving on the highway and the car would just die i have to pull over for a few seconds and started up again...well the last time it would not start and had to tow home ..now as i turn the key to try to start it i would get reduce engine power...service engine soon..check tire presure..the check engine light would be very dim...and i cant hear the fuel pump go on so the car does not start..it cranks but does not start and one of the relay is buzzing like hell in the engine compartment ..changed it with new but no help...helppppppp what the hell is the problem????????????
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
I wont hear back from GM until Monday but they seemed a little skeptical about the contents of this letter posted above here. The rep was very nice but she basically said, " I can't tell you yes we will pay for it or no we won't at this point". I guess that's better than a definite NO!
Also, I got to thinking last night that the local dealer is screwing me. They said I needed a new column lock accuator motor. Well, I can still hear the one that's in it now making that god awful noise it does when you pull the key........so, something doesn't sound right to me?
Also, I got to thinking last night that the local dealer is screwing me. They said I needed a new column lock accuator motor. Well, I can still hear the one that's in it now making that god awful noise it does when you pull the key........so, something doesn't sound right to me?
While the actuator does contain a switch that could fail and cause this to happen, history says it's the "FIX" that is the problem.
I absolutely would not give the GM dealer a dime. You need to find someone who understands the problem in order to solve it...
Sadly, most dealers still do not understand.