i have an 01 coupe with an a4 was wondering if i have anything to worry about as far as the column lock goes

 

If with the key off and the car in park you can turn your steering wheel (should be the case with an 01), you do not have a column lock.

 

Since it is an A4, have the recall done by your Chevy dealer, and you should be good to go

 

ok i'm new.........what about the 99 FRCs.....thanx lol

 

All FRCs are MN6s, and all MN6s are doomed to have the Column Lock in place, unlike the A4s that can have them disabled. The reason is that all cars need some type of safety immobilizer, and the A4s have the shift interlock.

The ONLY solution for MN6s is to install a column lock bypass. I've had mine in since I got the car and never looked back.

 

An aftermarket bypass can send incorrect voltages, causing damage to the BCM. Not everyone will have this happen but, when it does it is expensive to repair. The only GM approved bypass is the Harness K, cost a little more but won't damage your BCM.

 

2001-04 A4 no longer has a column lock

 

What is the Harness K, and were can you get them?
Thanks,
Chris

 

My column locked on my 98, then a month later I got the recall notice. At the time I installed the CLB since I wasn't interested in spending $700 to fix it GM's way.

Is it true the CLB can damage the BCM? Should I take it in and have GM appy their "fix"?

 

There have been thousands of the column bypasses installed in corvettes and this is the first time I have even heard this mentioned regarding damage to the BCM & I really question that, the column bypass is a very easy fix that can be done in 20 min. To avoid the inconvience of having your car lock up at a most inappropriate time I would highly recommend the bypass procedure, it was one of the first mods I did to my 04. One of my associates was on vacation last summer in lake Tahoe and he had the dreaded column lock experience, took three days out of his vaction to get it rectified.

 

Roho, One thing to consider is there are more C5's that have not had a column lock issue, than those using an aftermarket bypass. Many people added the bypass and even though they never had a column lock prior. It doesn't mean column locks are not an issue. Not hearing about reports of BCM damage while using an aftermarket bypass doesn't mean they haven't been damaged. Many times the reason as to why the BCM isn't functioning correctly is unclear until further diagnostics determine it to be the aftermarket bypass.



Damage to the BCM can and does happen. Yes it is rare but the BCM is costly to replace. The Harness K is a GM bypass you can purchase from a GM parts department. I think it costs like $80 and I believe you have to remove the steering wheel. Again it is rare the you will experience damage to your BCM but expensive to replace if it does occur. I've heard this from several Corvette techs that saw it first hand and C5 owners that had problems with their BCM which were related to an aftermarket bypass.

I would suggest anyone with an automatic trans to take their car in for the recall. Those with a manual trans remember, the recall doesn't fix the problem. So either leave it alone or get a bypass (approved or aftermarket), if you want it fixed.

For my Z06, I'm not doing the recall or installing a bypass. That may change if I ever experience a column lock.