Column Lock got me today
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 80
From: NC
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Column Lock got me today
I've always read about the column lock issues and sympathized with the owners. Now today the column lock problem hit me. :mad With 90,537 miles on the odometer of my 98 C5 the column lock left me stuck in my office parking lot. I was beginning to think that I was going to be the lucky one here and never see the column lock issue first hand.
I spent about 5 minutes pulling on the steering wheel. After several attempts of trying to yank the wheel and start the car I finally got it to start without it locked.
If it weren't for the information I learned on here I would have had to call a flatbed.
[Modified by bgood, 7:52 PM 5/27/2003]
I spent about 5 minutes pulling on the steering wheel. After several attempts of trying to yank the wheel and start the car I finally got it to start without it locked.
If it weren't for the information I learned on here I would have had to call a flatbed.
[Modified by bgood, 7:52 PM 5/27/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Column Lock got me today (bgood)
Just thump the top center of the wheel and turn the key. The bypass is a waste if you know how to do it. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Column Lock got me today (bgood)
bgood,
A defective column lock module in my 1999 C5 coupe stranded my wife and I while out-of-state on vacation.
Chevrolet's "Satisfaction Campaign" to repair/modify the column lock module system is in effect at no cost to the C5 owner until July 1, 2003. You may want to see a Chevrolet dealer and have the "fix" installed.
Good luck.
A defective column lock module in my 1999 C5 coupe stranded my wife and I while out-of-state on vacation.
Chevrolet's "Satisfaction Campaign" to repair/modify the column lock module system is in effect at no cost to the C5 owner until July 1, 2003. You may want to see a Chevrolet dealer and have the "fix" installed.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: Column Lock got me today (bgood)
Get the Chevy "fix" or buy & install a column lock by-pass. But do something quickly---this problem can come back at any time. :mad
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 993
Likes: 5
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Column Lock got me today (Ross78)
Ross78,
The "satisfaction campaign" is a policy by Chevrolet to repair certain 1997 - 2000 C5's with a "fix" that eliminates the locking steering column on the A4 cars and modifys the manual transmission cars.
Your dealer or Chevrolet Customer Service can check your serial number for eligibility - but the free fix offer expires on July 1, 2003.
This is a special service policy and not a recall by Chevrolet and/or the NHTSA. It applies to eligible vehicles regardless of age or mileage.
I had the bypass but removed it and had the "fix" done by Chevrolet. A noted Corvette mechanic on another forum stated that the bypass does not provide the proper electric feedback for the car's main computer and may damage the computer - thus preventing a warranty repair. I didn't want to take any chances.
The policy does not compensate the owner for their inconvenience for bringing the car in for the "fix" or for eliminating the theft/safety feature of a locking steering column (a feature that you paid for when you bought the car).
Good luck.
[Modified by 1999 White C5 Coupe, 1:01 PM 5/29/2003]
The "satisfaction campaign" is a policy by Chevrolet to repair certain 1997 - 2000 C5's with a "fix" that eliminates the locking steering column on the A4 cars and modifys the manual transmission cars.
Your dealer or Chevrolet Customer Service can check your serial number for eligibility - but the free fix offer expires on July 1, 2003.
This is a special service policy and not a recall by Chevrolet and/or the NHTSA. It applies to eligible vehicles regardless of age or mileage.
I had the bypass but removed it and had the "fix" done by Chevrolet. A noted Corvette mechanic on another forum stated that the bypass does not provide the proper electric feedback for the car's main computer and may damage the computer - thus preventing a warranty repair. I didn't want to take any chances.
The policy does not compensate the owner for their inconvenience for bringing the car in for the "fix" or for eliminating the theft/safety feature of a locking steering column (a feature that you paid for when you bought the car).
Good luck.
[Modified by 1999 White C5 Coupe, 1:01 PM 5/29/2003]
