Don't Tow It - Column Lock
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 11
From: Glendale AZ
Don't Tow It - Column Lock
If you get the DIC message that your steering column is locked, you can just about always get it unlocked with properly applied force. Consider how it is supposed to work, put the key in the ignition and the steering column should unlock, take the key out of the ignition and the steering column should lock.
So, you get in your car, put the key in the ignition, turn the key to start the car and get the DIC message that the column is still locked. You try and turn the steering wheel but sure enough it is still locked.
What has worked for me is:
Turn the car off
Remove the key
Column is still locked
Put hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o'clock
Try to turn left and right quickly and semi forcefully 3 or 4 times
The steering wheel won't move much when you do the step above
Put key back in the ignition put don't turn the key at all
Put your left hand on the steering wheel at 2 or 3 o'clock, palm facing you, you are grasping the inside of the steering wheel
While pulling down with quite a bit of force on the steering wheel with your left hand, like you are trying to turn to the right, very slowly turn the ignition key as if to start the car.
The steering column should unlock before you have turned the key far enough to start the car.
If it doesn't work the first time try again as this technique works quite often, maybe apply more downward turning to the right force on the steering wheel. You won't hurt anything.
If it does work, if probably won't lock up again if you leave the key in the ignition. Call Corvettes of Houston and have them overnight a Column Lock Bypass to you. Take 15 minutes and install the bypass.
This technique is mentioned in other posts but I thought bringing it out to its own post might save people some serious grief.
Go D'Backs
David in AZ
So, you get in your car, put the key in the ignition, turn the key to start the car and get the DIC message that the column is still locked. You try and turn the steering wheel but sure enough it is still locked.
What has worked for me is:
Turn the car off
Remove the key
Column is still locked
Put hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o'clock
Try to turn left and right quickly and semi forcefully 3 or 4 times
The steering wheel won't move much when you do the step above
Put key back in the ignition put don't turn the key at all
Put your left hand on the steering wheel at 2 or 3 o'clock, palm facing you, you are grasping the inside of the steering wheel
While pulling down with quite a bit of force on the steering wheel with your left hand, like you are trying to turn to the right, very slowly turn the ignition key as if to start the car.
The steering column should unlock before you have turned the key far enough to start the car.
If it doesn't work the first time try again as this technique works quite often, maybe apply more downward turning to the right force on the steering wheel. You won't hurt anything.
If it does work, if probably won't lock up again if you leave the key in the ignition. Call Corvettes of Houston and have them overnight a Column Lock Bypass to you. Take 15 minutes and install the bypass.
This technique is mentioned in other posts but I thought bringing it out to its own post might save people some serious grief.
Go D'Backs
David in AZ
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CA
David, I owe you a beer...ok...a 6 pack! My z06 column locked a few days ago. I tried several other things to get it unlocked BUT, YOUR STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE DID IT...
(and I got the car home).
Now I need to install the "Doctor Don's" Column Lock Simulator Kit I just bought...
Anyone have experience with this particular kit?
THANK YOU David and Corvette Forum!
(FYI: I'm an original owner of the 2002 Z06)
(and I got the car home).
Now I need to install the "Doctor Don's" Column Lock Simulator Kit I just bought...
Anyone have experience with this particular kit?
THANK YOU David and Corvette Forum!
(FYI: I'm an original owner of the 2002 Z06)
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
David, I owe you a beer...ok...a 6 pack! My z06 column locked a few days ago. I tried several other things to get it unlocked BUT, YOUR STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE DID IT...
(and I got the car home).
Now I need to install the "Doctor Don's" Column Lock Simulator Kit I just bought...
Anyone have experience with this particular kit?
THANK YOU David and Corvette Forum!
(FYI: I'm an original owner of the 2002 Z06)
(and I got the car home).
Now I need to install the "Doctor Don's" Column Lock Simulator Kit I just bought...
Anyone have experience with this particular kit?
THANK YOU David and Corvette Forum!
(FYI: I'm an original owner of the 2002 Z06)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/foru...s-or-more.html
