I have a 1998 Convertible with 44K miles. Two weeks ago, I started to receive a message on the DIC telling me to "pull key, wait 10 seconds" . It would then say Steering Column Lock (Even Though the Steering Column ISN'T Locked). I am WELL aware of the recall for this issue and the recall work was completed on my car in 2005. Never the less, I had the car towed to the dealer, because I couldn't go more than 2 miles an hour before it shut off and they found I was missing a relay. I'm not sure how since the car had been running fine up until that point. Regardless, I had them put the relay in. I picked the car up from the dealer and drove it home. An hour later I went out to pull the car into the garage and I received the same message. This time though, if I pull the key and wait a few seconds, it drives fine everytime. I took it back to the dealer and they weren't able to locate the problem. They said it could be any number of things, such as; the key (I tried another one and it does the same thing), the BCM etc... They said they could throw parts at it until it was finally fixed, but it would be costly. I picked the car up and now am trying to figure out my next step.
Battery change maybe, although it's fairly new? Is it most likely the BCM?
As I stated, the car is drivable, just have to pull the key and wait a few secs and then go.
One more thing, if I shut the car off and try it again in 5 minutes or so, the error doesn't come up. Wait more than 15 mins and it does.
Anyone have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help you may be able to offer.

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1015483

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1312929

 

What is the status of the SECURITY lamp when you insert the key. What is the status when you turn the key to ON, what is the status if you turn the key to START ????

Have you tried cleaning the "pellet" in your key ?? Take a pencil eraser and burnish the metal contacts on each side of the key. Finish by cleaning with alcohol or electric contact cleaner.

Do you have a "Column Lock Bypass" installed ?? Doesn't sound like it ..... get one and install it ASAP or you will be visiting that incompetent stealership again very soon.

I would call the dealership and speak to the Service MANAGER .. not some lower level person. Ask Service Manager how you got charged for parts and labor to fix a "missing relay" that ...

a) couldn't have been "missing" or the problem would not have been intermittent

b) regardless of whether it was missing or not, the "fix" hasn't worked.

Why should you have to pay ?? At least I'd get a credit that can be used for future service work or for purchasing parts at the parts department.

 

Sounds too familiar, had my car towed to incompetent dealer who said I needed the bypass. So they took apart the column and discovered I had the K-harness bypass alredy done. So naturally the next guess was to try and charge me $570 for a new ignition. I told them to go pound sand and put my column back together. And the car has run fine since but I am afraid of getting stranded (again) by that BS anti-theft fuel cut off. I discovered there are a couple tuners you can buy to change the fuel cut off from the factory 2mph to 200mph (HP Tuners and EFI Live). Or take it to a local tuner and they can easily change this setting.

 

PASS Key problems mean the car will not start at all and there is no message. If he is getting the pull key message it is not PASS Key related.

Bill