"service column lock"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
"service column lock"
Ok, i've done the "search" and am even more confused than before. I've had my 99 6sp for about one year. i just got the "column lock" message a day ago. i've checked out the bypass kit,but not sure if i need it.
now here's where i'm confused. if i turn off the car, and take out the key, shouldn't the steering wheel lock up? mine doesn't, which leads me to believe that some kind of bypass was installed prior to my getting the car. Can someone please shed some light on this subject for me?
now here's where i'm confused. if i turn off the car, and take out the key, shouldn't the steering wheel lock up? mine doesn't, which leads me to believe that some kind of bypass was installed prior to my getting the car. Can someone please shed some light on this subject for me?
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 3
From: Waltham MA
You can have the problem even though the recall was already done and the column doesn't lock anymore, yet the BCM still believes there's a problem. Happened to me 3 times post-recall, the last time last week. Installed an LMC5 (http://complianceparts.com/lmc5description.html), problem solved.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
I drove the car for two days with the message showing. no problems.....I never got the 2 mph shutoff. i also never got the "pull key" message. lastly, my battery is a delco from a dealer that's less than one year old and the terminals are clean.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Ok, i've done the "search" and am even more confused than before. I've had my 99 6sp for about one year. i just got the "column lock" message a day ago. i've checked out the bypass kit,but not sure if i need it.
now here's where i'm confused. if i turn off the car, and take out the key, shouldn't the steering wheel lock up? mine doesn't, which leads me to believe that some kind of bypass was installed prior to my getting the car. Can someone please shed some light on this subject for me?
now here's where i'm confused. if i turn off the car, and take out the key, shouldn't the steering wheel lock up? mine doesn't, which leads me to believe that some kind of bypass was installed prior to my getting the car. Can someone please shed some light on this subject for me?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
"corvettes of houston" claims to have the column lock problem for C6 vettes solved. They sell the "column lock eliminator" for $89.95 plus shipping. U-tube shows a simple installation a 12 year old can do. I ordered it and hope I won't have to hire a 12 year old to install it. Let's see what happens.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I had the column lock problem last week in my 99. It'd had both recalls performed, so the 2 mph shut off was the problem. I put in a new, fully charged, oversized battery. Still not working. I disconnected the K harness as they apparently fail. No luck.
I suspect the problem is the column lock actuator itself.
Anyway, the LMC5 came yesterday. Installed in 25 mins using the very thorough illustrated instructions. Completely fixed.
So, allow me to pile on and say the LMC5 is a fantastic product. I've read where people say just keep a strong battery in there and you'll be fine with the recalls and no bypass, but after my experience, I don't believe it.
I suspect the problem is the column lock actuator itself.
Anyway, the LMC5 came yesterday. Installed in 25 mins using the very thorough illustrated instructions. Completely fixed.
So, allow me to pile on and say the LMC5 is a fantastic product. I've read where people say just keep a strong battery in there and you'll be fine with the recalls and no bypass, but after my experience, I don't believe it.
Last edited by Dr. Mordo; Aug 19, 2012 at 08:49 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Update: about a month after I posted the above post, the 'pull key and wait' msg came back.
It happens the first time I put the key in the ignition for the day. I pull the key, wait 2-3 seconds, and then fire it up. If I don't wait long enough, it throws the 'service column lock' msg when I put the key in. I can't just ignore the msgs because the 2 mph cutoff is still a problem.
It's driveable, and I've had another problem vehicle, so I've let it go for now. I figure my next step is to check the electrical system to see how much the draw is when the car's sitting. It's a new battery, but figure maybe something is dragging the battery down which is creating gremlins. Then if that's a dead end, I may bypass the resistor in the key. Finally as a last ditch effort I guess I could go ahead and replace the column lock. Any advice is welcome.
But it turns out the LMC5 isn't a magical cure after all.
It happens the first time I put the key in the ignition for the day. I pull the key, wait 2-3 seconds, and then fire it up. If I don't wait long enough, it throws the 'service column lock' msg when I put the key in. I can't just ignore the msgs because the 2 mph cutoff is still a problem.
It's driveable, and I've had another problem vehicle, so I've let it go for now. I figure my next step is to check the electrical system to see how much the draw is when the car's sitting. It's a new battery, but figure maybe something is dragging the battery down which is creating gremlins. Then if that's a dead end, I may bypass the resistor in the key. Finally as a last ditch effort I guess I could go ahead and replace the column lock. Any advice is welcome.
But it turns out the LMC5 isn't a magical cure after all.
