Service Column Lock: just got bit! need help
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Granby, MA
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Service Column Lock: just got bit! need help
OK so I have read some posts on what to do. Guess the procedure is to shake the wheel like mad, pull some fuses, install a CLB/simulator and then pray for the best.
My biggest concern: will/can the service column lock message come on while your driving the car and lock the wheel up causing you to lose control, damage the vehicle or more importantly....possibly kill yourself?
If so how in the world hasn't GM been sued over this! Iam very nervous now on whether the repair is going to work and don't want to risk my life or my girlfriends.
My biggest concern: will/can the service column lock message come on while your driving the car and lock the wheel up causing you to lose control, damage the vehicle or more importantly....possibly kill yourself?
If so how in the world hasn't GM been sued over this! Iam very nervous now on whether the repair is going to work and don't want to risk my life or my girlfriends.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Better late/then never
Install the Clb kit, very easy to do. Evidently you reading of previous posts of owners having this problem, did'nt hit home? Best case was to install BEFORE you have a problem. Second best case is, install it yesterday. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
ok might be better light at the end of the tunnel
I went back outside and put the key in and the wheel did in fact unlock all by itself without me even having to jiggle it. I left it tilted to the side so it would not lock again. I am now going to order that CLB part and install it. This should take care of the problem right?
Where is a good place to order the CLB from?
Where is a good place to order the CLB from?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Alton Illinois
wheel will not lock up in flight based on what i have read.
there are several causes for the problem and will require a great deal of reading. if your column is locked, shaking wheel is a good start. making sure you have a good battery and connections is another good check. you also need to know if any mods have been done by the dealer(k harness, column lock bypass etc.) - take your vin in and they can check. do a search on clb and readiing the stickey above in the header is a good start. every cure known to man will be in this forum somewhere!
i think pulling fuses 23, 25 and 29 in the p side footwell is another thing to try. they are all listed in this forum. once you get the message to clear and things back to normal, then install a column lock bypass and reduce the risk of ever having the problem again.
the forum search is your key to answers - many to be found
just read that problem went away for now. good! i got my clb from corvettes of houston for my 99. get one in fast!
there are several causes for the problem and will require a great deal of reading. if your column is locked, shaking wheel is a good start. making sure you have a good battery and connections is another good check. you also need to know if any mods have been done by the dealer(k harness, column lock bypass etc.) - take your vin in and they can check. do a search on clb and readiing the stickey above in the header is a good start. every cure known to man will be in this forum somewhere!
i think pulling fuses 23, 25 and 29 in the p side footwell is another thing to try. they are all listed in this forum. once you get the message to clear and things back to normal, then install a column lock bypass and reduce the risk of ever having the problem again.the forum search is your key to answers - many to be found
just read that problem went away for now. good! i got my clb from corvettes of houston for my 99. get one in fast!
Last edited by bluvette79; Sep 11, 2008 at 10:45 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
I went back outside and put the key in and the wheel did in fact unlock all by itself without me even having to jiggle it. I left it tilted to the side so it would not lock again. I am now going to order that CLB part and install it. This should take care of the problem right?
Where is a good place to order the CLB from?
Where is a good place to order the CLB from?
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
There have been reports of the column locking up while the owner was driving. Those issues were the main reason NHTSA forced the recall back in 2004.
Two ways to keep the column from locking:
1) Have the lock ring in the steering wheel removed ( Part of recall variation 04006C)
2) Install a CLB. When you install the CLB, you first have to make sure the column is unlocked. You then disconnect the actuator and plug in the CLB.
The actuator is what sends the lock pin into the lock ring. Disconnecting it once the pin is in the retracted position means the pin can no longer be sent into the lock ring. The CLB basically fools the BCM into thinking the column never needs to be locked thus keeping the 2MPH fuel shutoff from biting you and keeps the "pull key...." and/or "Service Column Lo..." messages from appearing in the DIC.
Corvettes of Dallas and Corvettes of Houston have the CLB's for about $50 plus shipping. Thunder Racing usually has them as well. All are Forum Sponsors.
Once you get your CLB use this link for install instructions. It is MUCH better than what comes with the CLB.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
If the column gets locked on you and you cannot get it unlocked use these instructions. They work 98% of the time:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=unlock
Good luck and don't procrastinate any longer about getting and installing the CLB.
Two ways to keep the column from locking:
1) Have the lock ring in the steering wheel removed ( Part of recall variation 04006C)
2) Install a CLB. When you install the CLB, you first have to make sure the column is unlocked. You then disconnect the actuator and plug in the CLB.
The actuator is what sends the lock pin into the lock ring. Disconnecting it once the pin is in the retracted position means the pin can no longer be sent into the lock ring. The CLB basically fools the BCM into thinking the column never needs to be locked thus keeping the 2MPH fuel shutoff from biting you and keeps the "pull key...." and/or "Service Column Lo..." messages from appearing in the DIC.
Corvettes of Dallas and Corvettes of Houston have the CLB's for about $50 plus shipping. Thunder Racing usually has them as well. All are Forum Sponsors.
Once you get your CLB use this link for install instructions. It is MUCH better than what comes with the CLB.
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24
If the column gets locked on you and you cannot get it unlocked use these instructions. They work 98% of the time:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=unlock
Good luck and don't procrastinate any longer about getting and installing the CLB.
So hopefully I will have it in time to still make funfest. Crossing my fingers!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Those reports were of people driving at 2 mph before they realized the column was locked (like when backing out of their garage). As part of the recall GM reprogrammed the PCM so the car would stall as soon as you tried to move it Vs letting you drive it at 2 mph.
Bill
Bill
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Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Granby, MA
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After reading a post I thought this was cute:
Moderators, when C5 people sign up here at the Corvette Forum, there needs to be an End-User Agreement that states that the new C5 owner/member fully understands that they need to purchase a Column Lock Bypass for their cars in order to receive a user name/login or to continue using the forum.
Last edited by XtremeVette; Sep 11, 2008 at 01:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
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From: Cedarburg, WI
I now fully understand this: if this message flashed up and warned me the day I bought the car I would not have procrastinated the way I did. I mean we all read about things "we should do" or "are recommended" but seriously I can't believe the magnitude of this problem. I also can't believe that GM never took this seriously and still to date knows about the problem and does not have a true "fix". Better yet, they turn around and say "hey we have had too many people want this done, so we are not going to do it anymore". For me I bought my car last year, which was after the time they allowed you to have it repaired for free. However, after reading all the posts about how GM "fixes" you car. I wouldn't have them do it "even if they paid me!". If anyone has not had the recall done or has not put a CLB on their cars....do it now! Don't think...just do it!. Just think of it as another fill up at the gas station. Better yet this will probably be cheaper then that.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Beach MD
I have read a quite a few threads on this and that made me go out and get a CLB. I installed it and dont miss that annoying sound everytime I pull the key out of the ignition. If you are worried about it locking up again you can just leave your key in the ignition and use your key fob to lock and unlock the doors. That will depend on where you park your car though. Car thiefs dream would be to walk up to a Z06 and see the key in the ignition, lol. Hope you get it all worked out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Procrastinate. It can't happen to me!
I bought my car new and took it in for the recall. I kept reading posts where others had a problem, even after being serviced w/ recall service. I didn't want to be left stranded some where, so I decided to go ahead and install kit from COH. Peace of mind is taken care of. Take care of a possible problem before it arises, not after. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,804
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From: Dallas Texas
We have your name on the part
Corvettes of Dallas is standing by with the part and instruction you need.
AND, I will match any price out there for this part.
PLEASE call me directly and I will get the part out today. If I am away from my desk -- call my cell at 214-202-0222.
Todd
AND, I will match any price out there for this part.
PLEASE call me directly and I will get the part out today. If I am away from my desk -- call my cell at 214-202-0222.
Todd
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Recalls dont work, they just lead to 550.00 bills that has to come out of your pocket. 
Im going on my 5th year now with just CLB no recalls. ahhh sigh of relief!
Thread Starter
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From: Granby, MA
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man talk about just not cutting a break...it just occurred to me that the CLB I ordered was from Corvettes of Houston! HOUSTON !HURRICANE!...crap! Yep, just checked the UPS tracker and it shows, EMERGENCY STATUS, out of UPS's control. Man....I just can't cut a break! I mean I know I totally forgot, but you would of thought when I ordered it from Scott yesterday and expressed I needed it ASAP he would of warned me about the hurricane and that it would more then likely delay this. Eh, nobody's fault, he could of forgotten too with everything going on I guess.
Last edited by XtremeVette; Sep 12, 2008 at 10:44 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Granby, MA
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I ordered from Corvettes of Houston from Scott and if you see from my post above, I totally forgot about the Hurricane....so now I have to play the waiting game. Shoot if I knew I could of ordered it from Dallas I would of. I never saw any posts that you even sold them, just Corvettes of Houston and Thunder Racing.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,387
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From: Boise ID
man talk about just not cutting a break...it just occurred to me that the CLB I ordered was from Corvettes of Houston! HOUSTON !HURRICANE!...crap! Yep, just checked the UPS tracker and it shows, EMERGENCY STATUS, out of UPS's control. Man....I just can't cut a break! I mean I know I totally forgot, but you would of thought when I ordered it from Scott yesterday and expressed I needed it ASAP he would of warned me about the hurricane and that it would more then likely delay this. Eh, nobody's fault, he could of forgotten too with everything going on I guess.
) but it could be worse, you could live in the Houston area! I wish all those folks the best of luck and hope all ends up well! 
Thread Starter
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
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From: Granby, MA
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Dallas Texas
I ordered from Corvettes of Houston from Scott and if you see from my post above, I totally forgot about the Hurricane....so now I have to play the waiting game. Shoot if I knew I could of ordered it from Dallas I would of. I never saw any posts that you even sold them, just Corvettes of Houston and Thunder Racing.
COH is our sister store -- If you dont get by Monday -- call me -- I will try to reach Scott to see if it went out -- IF not -- we will send you one and settle up with Scott later. Call me 972-242-7665.
BY THE WAY -- HAVE CLB in stock ready to ship.
Todd
Thread Starter
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From: Granby, MA
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wow....that is service! Thanks a million I will keep you informed what happens