I've heard about the column lock-up problem. but after having our '97 for over 4 years I figured this was one problem we wouldn't have. It happened yesterday and the car was towed to the dealership which was a whopping 2 blocks away. There is no recall on any '97s for this problem. Luckily the warranty is still in effect but still had a $100 deductible. What I need to know is this...the dealership people were rather unclear...they replaced the electric column lock actuator - FP Number 26050960. Did they, or did they not, repair the car as they would a recalled vehicle? I got a NO answer from one service guy and a YES from another. One guy said it could happen again tomorrow (but they better hope it doesn't) and the other said it was fixed.

I just finished completing the complaint to the NHTSA. The form is at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ . I certainly hope every single person this has happened to took a couple minutes to do this.

Another question...If the dealership "fixed" the problem, does one of these kits still need to be used to prevent it from happening again? Does the kit make it so the column never locks?

Any clarification on this would be greatly appreciated.

Debi Raitz :jester

 

Column Lock Bypass kit from COH....

A 20 minute install with a torx bit and scewdriver. Save yourself a lot of grief and inconvenience and just do it.
:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

 

No more crossing your fingers when you turn the key.

 

It has happening to me twice, I have the regualr GM fixed which does not prevent it as they probably done for you. If it does happen again, here is the procedure to unlock it.

1) Put the key in the ignition and turn it as if you were going to start the engine and at the same time turn the steering wheel to the left and right as you turn the ignition key as if you were going to start it.

Keep doing this with the steering wheel back and fourth, it is okay to use a little force. Remove the key and you steering lock has been cleared.

:cheers:

 

Get a CLB.
The GM repair, with or without the recall portion of the repair (installation of an additional relay), is an accident waiting to happen.

 

OK, I can probably handle the kit if it's easy to install. I figured out CLB is Column Lock Bypass, but who or what is COH?

(That joker icon by my name was supposed to be posted by the comment about the service people at the dealership!) :mad

Thanks for all the responses.

Debi Raitz

 

"they replaced the electric column lock actuator - FP Number 26050960. Did they, or did they not, repair the car as they would a recalled vehicle?"

The answer is "no" for the simple reason that the circuitry for the column lock is different on the 1997,and because of this the recall can not be apllied...The recall can be applied to ANY 1998-2000 (falls under a TSB) that does not fall within the recall VIN break points...

All that we can do on a 1997 at the dealer is replace the column lock actuator (like they did to yours)...And by the way,this is not a revised part :confused: It is the same as the one removed :yesnod:

CLBypass for 1997's ;)

 

www.corvettesofhouston.com

COH is Corvettes of Houston. Here is a pic of the CLB Kit.