Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
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Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass
Can anyone tell me what their experience has been with the dealer installed column lock bypass? Is it a successful and long-term cure for the problem? I'm torn between ordering one from one of the CF vendor (and me messing the car up) or taking the car into the dealer for them to install the GM fix (and them messing the car up). I'd appreciate any thoughts/experiences you good folks could share...TIA :cool:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
In *my* experence, there's a 99.9999% chance that the dealer WILL totally screw something up. Also free of charge, you'll have a few extra scratches when you get the car back.
Get the aftermarket bypass if it's still available. The last I heard it was out of production.
Tom
Get the aftermarket bypass if it's still available. The last I heard it was out of production.
Tom
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 59
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From: Verdi NV
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
I installed the bypass in my 2000 A4 last week. Took about 45 minutes and isn't complicated. LAPD still has the bypass in stock although its no longer in production.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
vettemike,
I installed the column lock bypass in my C5 coupe (after I was stranded and my car immobilized by a defective column lock module).
The bypass is very easy to install. I do not think Chevrolet service is very good (yes - I know there are exceptions). If you install the bypass yourself, you can take your time and "do it right". Most mechanics don't care about the customer's car and work as fast as they can to "beat the clock".
Good luck.
1999 White C5 Coupe
I installed the column lock bypass in my C5 coupe (after I was stranded and my car immobilized by a defective column lock module).
The bypass is very easy to install. I do not think Chevrolet service is very good (yes - I know there are exceptions). If you install the bypass yourself, you can take your time and "do it right". Most mechanics don't care about the customer's car and work as fast as they can to "beat the clock".
Good luck.
1999 White C5 Coupe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 849
From: New Jersey
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
I would do the aftermarket bypass. THe GM "Fix" for the manual transmission cars has a design flaw which could allow you to drive your vette while the steering colum is still locked!!! How that got passed the GM Product Liability lawyers is beyond me!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 46
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From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
HEY MIKE
I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT MY VETTE IN FLORIDA AND WAS FACED BY THE COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM (STRANDED LIKE A UNWANTED REDHEADED STEP CHILD BEFORE THE RECALL. CHEVY TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM AND THE COLUMN WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT A YEAR. ONE MONTH AGO I GOT THAT DREADED WARNING SERVICE LIGHT AND BROUGHT MY VETTE INTO A LAS VEGAS DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY BYPASSED THE LOCK. STEERING WHEEL NOW HAS A FAINT MOAN NOTHING SEIOUSLY DISTRACTING BUT I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH NOT HAVING THE PROTECTION OF THE LOCK. ACTUALLY I FEEL LIKE MY BABY WAS BUTCHERED AND AM GETTING READY TO DO BATTLE WITH THESE MENTAL MIDGETS AT CHEVY OR GM. MAYBE IM JUST BEING TRIVIAL BUT I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH CHEVROLETS SUPPOSED SOLUTION. (ESPECIALLY IF MY CAR GETS TOWED) OF ELIMINATING WHAT I FEEL IS AN IMPORTANT SECURITY MEASURE (IM ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN SO I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE THINGS FIRST HAND.
GOOD LUCK
JOHN
I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT MY VETTE IN FLORIDA AND WAS FACED BY THE COLUMN LOCK PROBLEM (STRANDED LIKE A UNWANTED REDHEADED STEP CHILD BEFORE THE RECALL. CHEVY TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM AND THE COLUMN WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT A YEAR. ONE MONTH AGO I GOT THAT DREADED WARNING SERVICE LIGHT AND BROUGHT MY VETTE INTO A LAS VEGAS DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY BYPASSED THE LOCK. STEERING WHEEL NOW HAS A FAINT MOAN NOTHING SEIOUSLY DISTRACTING BUT I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH NOT HAVING THE PROTECTION OF THE LOCK. ACTUALLY I FEEL LIKE MY BABY WAS BUTCHERED AND AM GETTING READY TO DO BATTLE WITH THESE MENTAL MIDGETS AT CHEVY OR GM. MAYBE IM JUST BEING TRIVIAL BUT I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH CHEVROLETS SUPPOSED SOLUTION. (ESPECIALLY IF MY CAR GETS TOWED) OF ELIMINATING WHAT I FEEL IS AN IMPORTANT SECURITY MEASURE (IM ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN SO I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE THINGS FIRST HAND.
GOOD LUCK
JOHN
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: sebring florida
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
mike, if they reset the tripped code, the problem may re-surface. if they install the bypass, that anti-theft mechanism will no longer function so you should never have that problem again. I was stranded once because of it and luckily, I parked with my tires straight so the tow could pick her up easy. took her to our dealership, where she sat for a WEEK, paid $450, and had the bypass installed. that was back in September and I haven't had any problems yet.
Red
Red
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
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From: Monticello MN
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
Can anyone tell me what their experience has been with the dealer installed column lock bypass? Is it a successful and long-term cure for the problem?
I had mine done at my service dealer, Gilleland Chevrolet in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and they did their normal exemplary job. I always use Todd for my service writer and Mike for my mechanic. These guys are really good. Find a decent dealer (ask a local Corvette club if you don't belong to any) and have it done. You won't regret it.
Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,026
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From: Gravois Mills, MO
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (C5XTASY)
Had the dealer install the GM fix last week; too soon to know for sure, but I do know the event occurred on the car at least twice prior to our purchase. The dealer did a good job as far as I can tell; there's no visible evidence that the dash was opened up....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 773
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From: Layton Utah
Re: Feedback Needed: Dealer Installed Column Lock Bypass (vettemike)
My experience is exactly like C5XTASY's. Had the local dealer do the recall mod on my A4. I selected their best mechanic, watched him do the entire job in about 30 minutes. No problems, no scratches, no complaints. This was about five months ago. I did not have any column lock problem before the fix nor did I want any.