(2001 automatic)-- Could use advice on Steering column relay
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
(2001 automatic)-- Could use advice on Steering column relay
Having a few things done at a dealership (I know). A trans line leak and shifter cable just about blew out my budget, and they say they also want to replace the steering column relay. Guy's message seemed kind of vague to a noob like me--gonna talk to him later--but he says they found the relay was supposedly causing my security light to flash. The car didn't want to fire ever since I tried (and failed) to fix the shifter cable myself; I figured it just needed that safety cable (from the firewall to the shifter) reset correctly. By the time I got it in(edit: to the shop), the battery wasn't holding any charge at all.
Does that sound like it's waiting to go bad and strand me somewhere? Or is it something that will sideline the car so I should absolutely have done now(they're going to charge 700 to replace it)? I'll have to clarify with him further, whether or not the relay is completely bad and therefore will keep the car from starting/driving safely--or is it kind of black-or-white, fix-or-don't-drive thing? Forgive my lazy grammar.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Does that sound like it's waiting to go bad and strand me somewhere? Or is it something that will sideline the car so I should absolutely have done now(they're going to charge 700 to replace it)? I'll have to clarify with him further, whether or not the relay is completely bad and therefore will keep the car from starting/driving safely--or is it kind of black-or-white, fix-or-don't-drive thing? Forgive my lazy grammar.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited by JCWright; Aug 17, 2023 at 01:14 PM. Reason: clarification
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,411
Likes: 412
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
What is a "Steering Column Relay?" Are they refering to the Steering Column Lock? If your car is a 2001 automatic, it should not have one of those.
The answer is YES if you have one of the following C5 Corvettes:
1997-2004 with a manual transmission
1997-2000 with an automatic transmission
2001-2004 European export Corvettes with an automatic transmission
DO I NEED AN LMC5?
The answer is YES if you have one of the following C5 Corvettes:
1997-2004 with a manual transmission
1997-2000 with an automatic transmission
2001-2004 European export Corvettes with an automatic transmission
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
Mechanic's note:
"Steering Column Relay: FOUND THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING. NOTICED MESSAGE FOR REMOVE KEY FOR 10 SECONDS. SEARCHED FOR BULLETINS AND FOUND #05081: Special Policy Adjustment - Electronic Column Lock System. INSPECTED THE COLUMN LOCK HARNESS AND FOUND THAT AN AFTERMARKET COLUMN LOCK RELAY HAS BEEN INSTALLED. WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK RELAY."
This car belonged to my dad before me. Every new term to me is a can of worms. He also sent a photo of him holding a small silver thing with "CLS" on it, under which it says "Column Lock S_____" can't make out the last word. Will post photo
"Steering Column Relay: FOUND THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT IS FLASHING. NOTICED MESSAGE FOR REMOVE KEY FOR 10 SECONDS. SEARCHED FOR BULLETINS AND FOUND #05081: Special Policy Adjustment - Electronic Column Lock System. INSPECTED THE COLUMN LOCK HARNESS AND FOUND THAT AN AFTERMARKET COLUMN LOCK RELAY HAS BEEN INSTALLED. WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK RELAY."
This car belonged to my dad before me. Every new term to me is a can of worms. He also sent a photo of him holding a small silver thing with "CLS" on it, under which it says "Column Lock S_____" can't make out the last word. Will post photo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,430
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From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
Looks like it says column lock simulator? Just a guess. But don't take it to the dealer. Get the CLB (Column Lock Bypass) or the LMC5. The LMC5 is the popular fix these days but I've had the CLB installed on my car since 2007 without any issues. Either one will work.
The CLB should plug right into that same plug when you removed that old one.
The CLB should plug right into that same plug when you removed that old one.
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Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
You guys are awesome, thank you very much. Been pretty overwhelmed, facing a bit of a time crunch, so I appreciate the help a lot.
The dealership is where the car is already--no other shop around me wanted to do anything with the car since it wasn't starting--so I may end up just bending over and paying them to do it since, according to them, it's keeping the car from starting right now. Might be worth it just to avoid waiting and then towing it somewhere else. Already towed it several times in the last couple weeks (SMH).
Thank you, guys! I will share anything interesting I find.
The dealership is where the car is already--no other shop around me wanted to do anything with the car since it wasn't starting--so I may end up just bending over and paying them to do it since, according to them, it's keeping the car from starting right now. Might be worth it just to avoid waiting and then towing it somewhere else. Already towed it several times in the last couple weeks (SMH).
Thank you, guys! I will share anything interesting I find.
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