DLSCWBYVT

I got in the car this morning. Started it up and the "Pull key...wait 10 secs" came up. Though about ignoring it at first, so hit the reset, it came back on after a few seconds. I went ahead and pulled the key, waited 10 seconds. Started the car up and everything seemed fine. Drove it and had no problems.

My questions are these,
1. Should I be worried at this point that I could be looking at the column locking up sometime soon?

2. Can the dealer fix this (will they fix this)? My car is an 01, is there a recall?

3. Should I buy this CLB kit from jmX that I just read about? Should I be worried between now and when I receive this/get it installed.

Thanks in advance!

DLSCWBYVT

Busa196

1- Yes
2-Yes
3- Yes.....forget about number 1 & 2 and just by the fix from Jon. That's what I did a few weeks ago and the install was cake.

:cheers:

-Busa196-

Terry Corp

Yep, had the same "pull Key" message last week. The next time I stopped at a restaurant about 300 miles from home, I got the "pull key" message, again, followed by the "service column lock" message. The steering wheel would still turn but the engine refused to run and would die under any load. The car had to be towed and we were stuck with getting a motel overnight.

The dealership (Ron Tonkin Chevrolet of Portland, OR) had an 01 coupe with the same problem the day before (they provided excellent service for us, incidently). The 01 car had died in the middle of a six lane intersection and blocked traffic for over a half hour until the tow arrived. Law enforcement had threatened to have the 01 car towed using a standard wrecker instead of a flatbed - you can imagine the results from that!! Get the CL defeat now!! We're still waiting to see if GM will re-emburse us for the motel room...... :rolleyes: :cheers:

TC


[Modified by Terry Corp, 2:15 PM 8/14/2003]

WWK888

I just ordered my CLB from jmx five minures ago. Although I have not had any problems yet, I jus dont want to take the chance on getting stuck somewhere. It is probably the best $38 I invested so far in the car.

Aloha
Bill

XCELR8R

I had the steering column lock up on me also. Lucky for me I was washing the car on the drive way in front of the house. I talked to the Chevy service guy and they had fixed two vettes with the same problem. They took my VIN number and did a check and it seems as though there is a wire harness and solenoid replacment for the fix. The old harness was routed wrong at the factory, and one of the wires can wear through and short out. This locks the column up and will give you column lock display. $180 for the fix. about one hour to do the job. By the way I got the steering wheel unlocked by starting the car and turning the wheel back and forth about five times. Shut the car off, restarted and it was unlocked. :auto:

ROCKnROLL

welcome to the forum!
i'm interested in the fix and not the bypass.
does the $180.00 include the kit and the labor?
thanks,
ROCKnROLL

WWK888

From what I have heard, the fix does not always "fix" the problem. Many people here have reported having the same problem after taking it to the dealer for the fix. The bypass kit will eliminate the problem forever. :cheers:

TwoThirtyFive

Who is Jon? I need to buy the kit... My column locked up in my 98 vette a week ago. Thanks Erikhalbasch@yahoo.com

Pat97Vette

http://www.c5howto.com/?category=10 Here's the link you need to get the Bypass from jmX. He's got great HOW TO instructions as well.

Terry Corp

Additionally, everyone should keep in mind that the CLB must be installed and not just carried with you. If your collumn locks, it must be freed up before the CLB can be installed. That usually involves the hassle of the tow and the trip to the dealer, as well as all the thousands of inconveniences that have been documented.

While you're at it, put a Ultima Red Top in your cars to solve the battery leakage problem. That's becoming a serious problem, too, and the damage the leak can cause can be extremely expensive....

:cheers:

TC

GENERAL ST

97 got hit yesterdayw/ lock.talked to Chev cust assistance 2)ordered
Corvettes Houston by pass kit wheel must be unlocked in order to work
Chevrolet will call back Monday.This afternoon went to check codesand after
about 15 minutes pushing reset options fuel 4x the wheel went free and
later service column lock indicater stopped.Going to wait to hear from Chevy
Monday as what is up! On web all 97s are Chevrolet Servicer Bulletins.This will be taken care of! :seeya :chevy I have good fortune w/Chevrolet cust
service......so far...and am always on the look out for maggotts!!!!! :seeya
:flag :flag :flag :seeya :chevy :chevy

Doughan

Eliminate the potential problem and install the CLB. It's a farily easy install and you will have peace of mind. :yesnod:

:smash: :smash:
column lock


[Modified by Doughan, 7:44 PM 8/16/2003]

Doughan

Pat, I want to thank you for a great web site. I used your instructions and installed the bypass in about 45 minutes. :cheers:

XCELR8R

Yes the $180 was parts and labor. :auto:

alexWS6

The dealer charges to fix the column lock problems???? Why dont they cover their mistakes under warranty??

I had the lock happen yesterday and plan on calling my dealer Monday, this should be interesting. . .

need-for-speed

Guys, I see some of you are new here. GM has performed some column lock fixes for certain model years (99, 2000 I think) for free under a recall. This is no doubt, the same repairs that were done for $180. I have a drawer full of recall notices because I haven't taken mine in. This fix doen not solve the problem, though it may improve your odds. The only way to be sure you don't have column lock is to install the CLB, which is what I did. As TerryCorp warns, you have to install it while the system is working properly. You can't do it after it locks. Also, the CLB will not work after GM does the "recall repair", or so I've read.


[Modified by need-for-speed, 10:12 PM 8/16/2003]

Terry Corp

Need-For-Speed and Doughan

You're right on all points!! We can't emphasize the need for all MN6 people to do the CLB. My 2000 didn't have a VIN low enough to qualify for the recall so I hoped I'd be beyond the problem.....wrong!! I did carry a CLB with me but never got around to installing it. Having the bypass with you doesn't help because the column needs to be free for the install.

I installed the CLB yesterday after the dealer had installed the new "updated" lock. The steering remains free and the CLB seems to function ok with the new lock. I'll let everyone know if it should malfunction later... I fact I'll scream it to the world! Since the bypass doesn't allow the column to lock, I don't see how, if it is free immediately after the installation, how it could possibly lock again with the locking electronics disabled. We'll see...... If anyone has experienced a lock-up after the CLB install, please let us all know....:cheers:

TC

0to60

:confused:

If the column was locked, what do you mean you "turned the wheel back and forth about five times"?

need-for-speed

You are correct in your observation. What he probably meant was to pull on the wheel in either direction while turning the key on and off until it unlocks. This is known fix that often works.

Old Rotor Head

Had mine fixed last year under warranty. Bill was $180.00 total parts and labor. Dealer changed out my ignition switch. I haven't had a problem since. :hurray: Oh ya, mine locked while in traffic at about 20 mph. Now that was a ride.