So I managed to flatten my battery on my vette. OK, no problem. Got my battery charger out and gave it a jump. Car started OK. Key Fobs did need reprogramming - fair enough, but then I tried to start the car, and the DIC had some bad news for me...

SERVICE COLUMN LOCK

So, now I have some questions...

1. The Steering Wheel still moves OK. Does this mean I can still drive the car, or is it just gonna bite me when I'm away from home?
2. How come this happened because the battery was flat? There was no sign of it previously?
3. Where can I buy a Column Lock Bypass?
4. Are they easy to fit?
5. Once fitted, will this message go away, or do I need to have the error codes removed?
6. Will this message ever appear again once the bypass is fitted?

I'm kinda freaked now. My vette is parked in the garage, and I daren't take it out. Are my worries justified?

HELP!!!

 

Not an expert, but I'll share my recent experience,
I just bought an '04 MN6 and had a "service steering column" code off the bat. I was told that it would not be a problem to drive it, but I have later heard that the Auto tran may be a different story.
Two days later, I had my lock and cylinder replaced at the dealer PNs#26089807 and 12458190, under warranty.
I didn't notice any problems while driving before the replacement, and again, was told it was okay to drive even with the code showing.
I hope that helps.
John

 

Interesting. My car is an MN6 too, so does that mean I'm OK to drive it?

I'm a little confused by this - I was under the impression that once the message appeared, I was on borrowed time...?

Thanks!

 

You are!
Get to the dealer and have the recall fix put in and be done with it.

 

I dunno...
The Service Manager was completely confident with me driving the car off the lot, knowing I lived 60 miles away, and would be driving around in the meantime. But we did immediatly schedule an appointment to replace the components.
If you are under warranty, I'd let Chevrolet handle it ASAP.
There may be TSB or recall? on the parts.

 

Colvette

The column lock issue is always something to worry about. I drove my 98 Coupe MN6 for 5 years and never worried about it one bit! I thought my car was immune!! I was at the Corvetts at Carsile PA last year in the car wash area and WHAM I got BIT!
I was able to do the steering wheel wiggle method of recovery and got it to unlock. I immediately ordered the CLB!!
There are supporting vendors on the forum who sell them and there is a "TECH TIP" that shows you how to install it. Is NOT difficult and took me about an hour start to finish!! They cost around 40-50 dollars US (that about 15 dollars UK right )
Once you install the bypass you should NOT see anymore messages.
Something was strange that I noticed when installing my CLB! The Cigarette lighter adapter power cord has a 1 amp fuse installed inside the plug! If you have problems getting it to work, the 1 amp fues went flat!!! I installed a 15 amp fuse and then everything was "A" OK!

I do every once in a while see the "PULL KEY WAIT 10 SEC" message but that is another issue all together!

Bill Curlee

 

Unfortunately, due to my location (See over there <<<<<), I can't have it fixed as a recall, as strictly speaking, there is no such thing as Chevrolet (and certainly no dealers) in the UK.

I found the Column Lock Bypass installation thing on LS1HowTo.com, but can't seem to find where to order one - clicking on the links just takes me to a "Column Lock Simulator". Anyone know where I can get one? My column isn't locked, so I will just not drive the Vette until I get the bypass....?

 

I'm here for ya man!! I will find a Column Lock Bypass dealer for you and send you all of the info!! I am looking now!!

Bill Curlee

 

Thanks, Bill! Good to know you've got my back!

Don't suppose anyone has any idea why this happened at this point, though, do they?

I'm a little confused!

 

I used GOOOGLE search engine and look under "Corvettes of Houston"
Look under parts for sale and use their search. Look for Column Lock Bypass

You can also try this web address: www.corvettesofhouston.com

or go here

http://www.corvettesofhouston.com/Pa...D=0&itemid=531

It is about $50 US That is a good price!! Some companies were selling them for $75!!!


PLEASE let me know how you make out

 

Hmmm... Will have to wait and give these guys a call tomorrow. Their web-site does not accept international orders...

Thanks, Bill!

Thanks, guys!

 

Be aware that a dying/dead battery (or similar cause of low voltage condition)... all by itself... can cause you to get this DIC warning without a lock-up. I didn't believe it myself based on all the scary "CLB or else" posts here. But, based on the dealer's advice (and the fact that I own a CLB-incompatible 1998), I allowed the BCM to reset, put in a brand spanking new battery (Optima Yellow Top). The warning is now gone and the car still drives fine.

Monk

 

I ALL else fails, I will order it for you and then I will send it to you!!

Bill

 

Hmmmm... this is what I was wondering about - the thing is, the warning appears whenever I start the car. How can I get rid of the warning?

 

The low voltage situation confused the BCM and caused your column lock to be stuck in the "unlocked" position.You will notice that when you remove the key that your column now does not lock.Pull fuse #25 at the passenger footwell fuse box and reinstall it.This will reset the column lock.You will need to do this before installing the CLB,because the column lock has to be functional before you install it

 

Dude, You ROCK!

I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow...

 

MONK has some GREAT advice!! If your battery is older than 4 years old, I could be weak and C5's DO NOT like low voltage!! The CLB is a good piece of mind back up but if your battery is old, that could have caused the message to pop up!

Bill

 

Brilliant! I'll give that a try right away!

Thanks!

 

1. The lock can get stuck in the UNLOCKED mode, and will not cause the BCM to shut fuel to the engine in this mode, only give you the warning. However if the lock suddenly moves back to LOCKED and then sticks, you will be stuck. Just a clarification on the fuse reset mentioned above. It will clear the BCM memory flag that gets set when the LOCK/UNLOCK state is incorrect, but does not reset the lock itself. The memory flag can get set back to a fault if the LOCK/UNLOCK state is still incorrect.

2. Agree that the dead battery could cause the problem, i.e. the low voltage confused the BCM. Disconnecting the battery and reconnecting would reset all memory.

3. Several forum vendors sell it. Check the vendors section.

4. The CLB is very easy and instructions are clear. The hardest part is removing the lower dash knee panel, but the instructions get you through that.

5. Once the CLB is in, the locking mechanism is permanently UNLOCKED, and the CLB simulates the LOCK/UNLOCK state and sends the corresponding signal to the BCM based on the LOCK/UNLOCK commands the CLB receives.

6. The messages should never reappear. I've had mine installedfor 4+ years and never had an issue, but some users with older C5s have had some codes come up. I would still recommend installing the CLB.

 

While I was out, several members have posted about clearing the BCM of this warning. I would only add that you will likely keep getting the warning back until you replace the weak battery with a good one.

Monk