Steering Column Lock
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,338
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
It is unlikely the LMC5 is faulty. More likely ( sorry, we all have been there before) the directions/connections were not followed/done correctly. Here is what I do on things that do not work. 1) I unhook every thing that was done and start over and then have someone else follow the directions and confirm the connections were done correctly. If still not working, call Richard at Compliance Parts (855-565-8388). He is #1 with customer service. Hope you find the problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
I'll give a second on rrwirsi's suggestions above. I had a bit of trouble getting my LMC5 installed. Called Richard at compliance parts and left a message to call me back. Within 10 minutes I got a call back and he guided us through the steps, step by step and stayed on the line until it was good to go. You can't do better than dealing with Richard and Compliance. A lot of other companies should follow his lead! Good luck with your install.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 657
Likes: 9
From: Orlando, FL
c5gray, my son just recently purchased a 1999 C5 and had the same issue. I got him an LMC5 and after looking at the picture of the unlocker, made him one and sent it to him. He installed the LMC5 exactly as shown in the video and it still didn't work. The unlocker wouldn't unlock the column either? This is what he did:
1. Took apart the plastic pieces on the steering column and found the mechanism that locked the steering wheel. He unplugged the plug that went to the "locking mechanism". Then he hooked up the unlocker (which is basically two wires with alligator clips on one end and straight pins on the other) directly to the locking mechanism and it unlocked the column. He left the plug unplugged and put the column back together.
2. I sent him this video to do the "Brown wire mod" and he watched it and did it to his car and hasn't had any column lock issues since.
Link:
Hope this helps.....
1. Took apart the plastic pieces on the steering column and found the mechanism that locked the steering wheel. He unplugged the plug that went to the "locking mechanism". Then he hooked up the unlocker (which is basically two wires with alligator clips on one end and straight pins on the other) directly to the locking mechanism and it unlocked the column. He left the plug unplugged and put the column back together.
2. I sent him this video to do the "Brown wire mod" and he watched it and did it to his car and hasn't had any column lock issues since.
Link:
Hope this helps.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
As stated above start over and make sure it is not locked. Instructions are very clear on what to do if it is locked. Richard at Compliance is very helpful. Always ready to guide you through in resolving any problem you might have.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 657
Likes: 9
From: Orlando, FL
The column was locked and it said in the directions to use the unlocker to unlock the column before proceeding which he did but it still wouldn't unlock so that's why he had to go into the column and "manually" unlock it before finishing the lmc5 install.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
I understand! I thought we had it too but it took the call to Compliance to square it away. If you haven't already made the call and it is still locked, give Richard a call and you'll be on the road again quickly. Best wishes!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 158
Likes: 38
From: Upstate NY
Mine wasn’t locked before but was after I installed it. I had emailed him and no response in 24 hours, so I called, got rich right away and rather than sell me an unlocked told me how I could unlock it with speaker wire and have been great ever since!
So so the key is to call, and there’d rather have you as a satisfied customer than make $20 bucks, which to me is a sign of a great company!
d
So so the key is to call, and there’d rather have you as a satisfied customer than make $20 bucks, which to me is a sign of a great company!
d
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,338
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I have stated before but it is worth saying again, GM owes Richard \/Compliance Parts millions of Dollars for fixing the steering wheel lock issue. With all the egg heads at GM to fix this problem they came up with ones that ultimately fail. Together with the part, Richard's devotion to customer service is the best I every experienced. 
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 55
Likes: 3
Was your steering column locked when you installed the LMC5?
As stated above start over and make sure it is not locked. Instructions are very clear on what to do if it is locked. Richard at Compliance is very helpful. Always ready to guide you through in resolving any problem you might have.
As stated above start over and make sure it is not locked. Instructions are very clear on what to do if it is locked. Richard at Compliance is very helpful. Always ready to guide you through in resolving any problem you might have.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 515
Likes: 133
The unlocker wouldn't unlock my column because the motor/mechanism wasn't responding. Richard told me to undo the steering column shroud (the most difficult part) and tap on the mechanism with a screwdriver and hammer. Worked like he said.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Union Beach New Jersey
Service Column Lock warning
I have a 1999 Coupe which I purchased in 2010. In April 2005 the first owner had the dealer performed recall maintenance on the steering column lock. In April 2017 the car was with my mechanic for routine maintenance and the steering column locked. I had the car flat bedded to the dealer and after four days of testing, they could find nothing wrong and returned the car to me. It was fine until several months age when I started the car and the "service column lock" warning appeared. The steering column was not locked and I hit the reset button and the message disappeared. Since then, the message appears every time the car is started and I hit reset and I'm off. No other related issues have appeared during this time. I have not seen anything addressing this issue in the thread. Is there a a command or series of commands to to get the message to cease? I would like to correct this as I am planning to sell the car and trade up to a 2010 Grand Sport next year when my buddy who sold me the C5 takes delivery of a C8.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Tom, make sure your battery is fully charged. The Corvette does not like low battery power. It's possible the previous owner had a tune which changed the cutoff speed from 2mph to something like 250 when you get the "wait 10s message.... You don't mention whether you have a LMC5 installed on your car. If not, you should install one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22