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I set out to remove the plastic steering column shroud today but it got the better of me. I wanted to see the wiring to the column lock and try to trace it. I wanted to see if I can tell if the car had column lock recall work. Not sure this affects an LMC5 install or not.. I’ve not bought one yet.
My car is USA spec 1999. Brought to the UK around 2004. The car had been unused 8/9 years prior to me inheriting it last year. I’d read about column locks but to my surprise (and pleasure) the column wasn’t locked when I went to get the car. Totally dead battery but free steering.
I assumed a recall or lock bypass but during my recent work (car on stands) I noticed the column had locked! It seems to unlock ok with ignition, phew! I guess for all intents and purposes it seems to be working at the moment from what I can tell.
So, it starting working (locking) is why I was trying to investigate. I’m afraid all I’ve done is take these pictures of wiring in the hope that may show where I should be looking or if anyone can tell anything from it? One picture being above BCM (I think I see two relays..?) and the other picture steering column wiring.
Thanks for any help and input. Under column wiring Above BCM
Last edited by silver50; Apr 21, 2020 at 09:33 AM.
I am not familiar with column lock wiring and harness used to bypass the steering column, and your pic's do not really help much. I will suggest reading the very first sticky thread which details every aspect of the column lock problems and fixes for m6, automatics , and different years of the C5, a must read for every c5 owner.
Yes, I’ve read over the thread. I saw reference to spotting different wiring colours if a recall had been done.
I imagine the picture under column probably shows a plug to the column lock. There’s a connector to right of the yellow (presumably airbag) connector too. I just don’t know which one relates to the column lock. As far as other picture it’d be good to know if one of the relays I think I see is the column lock one, and again if I can tell if anyone has been at it to change anything.
Just after some pointers.
Last edited by silver50; Apr 21, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
The column not locking when the car was last used (8/9 yrs ago) is a slight mystery too. This is partly why I’m interested to try and understand if it looks as though anyone has been in before.
The LMC5 installs at the BCM wiring, on the passenger side. Thats also where a column lock bypass would be installed. Not at the steering column wiring
I'm pretty sure the column lock wires are the 4-pin connector beside the yellow airbag connector.
Thanks. Reading this from the sticky was what made me try to check wiring. I don't think I see any add-on relay's or wiring near the BCM.
Q How can I tell if I’ve had the recall mod? For all cars, you can inspect your wiring by removing your knee bolster under the driver's side. Inspect your column lock harness. If the four wires in your ECL harness are Orange, Purple, Green, Black on both sides of the connector, then you DO NOT have the recall mod installed. If you have White, Purple, Green, Black on either side of the connector, then you DO have the recall mod.
As I say above, I don't get why the column wasn't locked when I collected the (dead battery) car. This made me think there had maybe been a factory recall.
I've had the BCM unplugged but I don't imagine that changed any past re programming or anything. I'll have to look for the wiring colours tomorrow, I'm away from the car now.
I essentially want to check for anything before I buy an LMC5 but I don't think there's a bypass fitted. I'm just trying to see if there's any sign of anything, particularly if it might affect a CLB.
Last edited by silver50; Apr 21, 2020 at 12:46 PM.
Column lock recall work
