Service Column Lock
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Service Column Lock
Had the dreaded Column Lock error come up after an alignment. Thing is, I'm almost positive I don't even have a column lock anymore. With the car off, and front wheels in the air, I can steer side to side easily. With the error on, I was also still able to steer freely, but if I tried to move, the engine killed itself...for safety. Eventually after 8 or so tries, looking like a fool to onlookers, it was finally happy enough to get me home. I couldn't find much info on this specific failure mode, any thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 763
Likes: 215
From: Detroit
Your car has had the recall performed which programmed in the 2 mph fuel cutoff. You're lucky to have gotten home; I was stranded 2 hours away when the same thing happened to me. I would recommend installing the LMC5 module which you can read all about on the forum. The LMC5 should resolve the error message and keep the car driveable, but the error can still pop up occasionally if the battery is weak. In my experience, if the error comes up with the LMC5 installed, the car is still driveable and the error can be cleared by disconnecting the battery for a few seconds.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
I'll have to get under there and poke around to see what I have. I did a little more looking, and it sounds like if I have a bypass, it can become unsynced, requiring a reset by pulling some fuses. From what I gathered, on manual cars, the recall DIDN'T remove the lock, but I've never had a locking column even while the error was active.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
Low voltage conditions sometimes trigger the service column lock message and cause the 2mph shutoff, sometimes the bypass's them self fail. Many c5 owners simply have a tuner change the 2mph fuel shutoff to 200mph, no more problems getting back home.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
I could see that being the case. With the quarantine, the car has been sitting for the better part of 2 months, with only occasional starts to move it. Maybe the alignment shop left it on but not running too long, and it got low as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I installed the LMC5 on previous coupe and had MPH tuned to 200 MPH, guy charged me 100 bucks to do that with his TECH II eqp. I thought it was a little pricey. Now back in an a 03 Z06 and may role the dice until I get the error. Question: My car had the GM recall column lock fix done by previous owners and that is when GM did the 2 MPH thing to cover their butt if column should lock, I thought if the GM recall was done you would still have the theft capability with steering wheel locked, am I wrong on this. I know if LMC5 is installed you loose that and wheel will not lock. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
More than likely you battery is going or you might have a bad alternator. Using a VOM and the engine off test the voltage of the battery. If it is below 12.5V that would lead to the problem. If so, disconnect the battery terminals, charge it and let it rest 24 hrs, and test again. If it is still below 12.5V you know it might not be the alternator but the battery. Or have it load tested to see the CCA capacity and RC capacity.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
More than likely you battery is going or you might have a bad alternator. Using a VOM and the engine off test the voltage of the battery. If it is below 12.5V that would lead to the problem. If so, disconnect the battery terminals, charge it and let it rest 24 hrs, and test again. If it is still below 12.5V you know it might not be the alternator but the battery. Or have it load tested to see the CCA capacity and RC capacity.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Yeah, I found it and read through. It sounds like my 2001 manual should still have the lock, but have the 2mph thing...which frankly I don't understand how that was supposed to fix the situation.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Madison, NJ
Possibly stupid question: if I can turn the steering wheel relatively freely, with the key not even in the ignition, has the CLB been implemented? I read the sticky mentioned above early in my ownership, did my test above and assumed all is well. Just re-read this, and the first couple Q+As seem to confirm my analysis, but maybe I'm missing something(?)
Q Can anything be done to unlock the steering column once it has locked up?
A Sometimes; turn the ignition OFF and REMOVE the key. Shock your lock motor actuator assembly by jerking the steering wheel against the stops.
I would think that if the steering column lock was still functioning, I couldn't move the wheel much at all.
Q Can anything be done to unlock the steering column once it has locked up?
A Sometimes; turn the ignition OFF and REMOVE the key. Shock your lock motor actuator assembly by jerking the steering wheel against the stops.
I would think that if the steering column lock was still functioning, I couldn't move the wheel much at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
In the early 2000's a GM engineering friend was at an autocross and his steering wheel locked on him. After calling several of his engineering friends friends he called me and I told him about jerking the wheel. Worked fine for him and he used it a few times that day.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
Possibly a fluke, there is no rhyme or reason why our cars suddenly have this kind of problems, my 97 goes for weeks and months with zero glitches and then suddenly I get the pull key wait 10 seconds message, and then it clears up without me doing anything to the car.