I noticed when my column locks up that if I jar the steering wheel, it will unlock. What causes the column lock not to unlock? Is it a bad resistor in my key? Can the dealer do anything?

 

There is a pin that moves in and out of the collar preventing the wheel from turning..if you can wiggle yours free its not engaging all the way and you are fortunate so far, usually you have to yank it hard back and forth

 

If I bring it to the dealer, will they fix it or just make it so I cant wiggle it out the next time it locks?

 

After I had this problem and was stranded about 30 miles from home, I took mine to the dealer and they said no codes, no problem, no fix.

Even though it's possible to get a warranty repair, I just went ahead and installed the column lock bypass kit. $100, and a little bit of body contortion, but I won't be stuck somewhere. The kit is available as a group purchase item.


:auto:

 

Normal operation of the Column Lock you will hear a buzzing noise after you shut off the ignition and remove the key. Even though the locking motor has set the locking pin, it has to line up with a hole in your steering column hub to actually lock. You can put your front end of the car up on jacks and then move the steering wheel. You will hear the pin click into place. Once its locked, you should not be able to "jar" it loose.

If you can jar it loose, then its your decision whether or not to have the system serviced. IMHO the locking system won't prevent your car from being stolen, so I wouldn't bother with it.

If you are referring to the multitude of C5s that have had the dreaded, "Service Column Lock" failure........ this is when the system locks and won't unlock. A lot of installed the CLB or Column Lock Bypass kit to prevent being stranded. The failure is usually due to a weak motor, but can also be a defective/fried motor or computer system failure.

 

I had mine lock on me and had the dealer to fix it. Now, this morning when I went to start the car, a message read "System Charg Fault" or something like that. I then shut it off and started it again and the message "Pull Key And Wait 10 Sec." came up but my steering colum didnt lock this time. Im hoping that my steering colum wont lock up on me again this time.

 

I get the service column lock every week. I pull the key, put it back in, wiggle the steering wheel and it will unlock. From what you all are saying it sounds like a weak motor in my column.

 

I had mine freeze up this week. When I would turn the key it would say "remove key and wait 10 seconds"..then I would reinsert and it would say "service column lock". I had to have it towed to Chevrolet and they wanted about $300-$350 to fix it, after investigating I found out it was a recall. I believe it is for 1997-1999 or 2000. I have a 99. I called back and they seem to have overlooked the recall??? So they repaired it for free and it is a permanent fix.

 

I will contact the dealer and see what they say. I have the extended warranty so it should be a big deal.

 

Vehicles involved in the campaign can be identified as follows.
According to GM documentation contained in Customer Satisfaction Campaign number 01044A

Involved are certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

Year
Division
Model
Plant
From
Through

1998
Chevrolet
Corvette
Bowling Green
W5123355
W5131069

1999
Chevrolet
Corvette
Bowling Green
X5100001
X5133283

2000
Chevrolet
Corvette
Bowling Green
Y5100001
Y5116233

That is the last 8 digits of your VIN, the first digit is the year, the second is always a 5 on corvette because it identifies the Bowling Green assembly plant.
The last 6 digits are your sequence number.
you can see for example that all 2000 vettes between sequence 100001 and 116233 have this campaign "open".
You can contact your local dealer and give them this information and it will be taken care of at no cost to you if your VIN is inside those number breaks.

If it is outside of those numbers you can still get the repairs done to your vehicle as outlined by the campaign but it will be at your expense.

And BTW this campaign is only good until July 2003 so you had best get on the stick!

I have fixed many of them, automatic and manual transmission models.
The automatics are easy because you just disable the system, the manuals are harder because you have to replace more parts, and actually fix them.
Steering column locks have been deleted on all GM vehicles except for standard transmission models.
It has been decided that the park lock feature of the automatic transmission is sufficient to provide theft deterrent, however since the manual transmission can be put in neutral at any time the column lock feature was retained.

Hope this helps.

EWill

 

I had a 98 triple black Vert. that had the steering wheel lock up on me. We tried all the tricks to no avail. I ended up having to have it towed to the local Corvette shop and paying almost $500 to get it repaired. This was almost 2 years ago and when I called Chevrolet at the time, they said there was no recall. Now, there's a recall. I doubt I have any chance of getting reimbursed for Chevrolet's F up. Fortunately my current 99 Vert. is within the VIN numbers listed so I'm going to have it checked out immediately.

Thank you for the info on the VIN Numbers and the dates.