Service column lock.....again!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: GEAUX TIGERS PSL FL.
Service column lock.....again!
Hello everyone.
For the 2nd time in 5 months, I`m having to tow my vette into a dealer for column lock issues. 52,000 fairly problem free miles and now this.
So I suppose I have to fork over money for another towing bill.
Yesterday it was running fine and today this. Seems quite sudden. Is there anything I can check before having it towed. Battery is new and on charger.
For the 2nd time in 5 months, I`m having to tow my vette into a dealer for column lock issues. 52,000 fairly problem free miles and now this.
So I suppose I have to fork over money for another towing bill.
Yesterday it was running fine and today this. Seems quite sudden. Is there anything I can check before having it towed. Battery is new and on charger.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
I have been currently having this problem with mine, there are 2 ways to get it started.
1. If the message center says “service column lock” I can usually take the load off the wheel (and locking pin) and then push the start button at the same time and the car will start.
2. Sometimes the wheel does not lock and the car does not start, I get no message on the information center and the battery voltage is fine. When this happens I disconnect the positive battery cable, touch it to the negative cable for 10 second, then reconnect it. This clears out / resets everything and the car starts. You may need to cycle the switch twice to get it to start, but usually when you reconnect the battery, you hear the lock motor cycle and the car will start on the first try.
1. If the message center says “service column lock” I can usually take the load off the wheel (and locking pin) and then push the start button at the same time and the car will start.
2. Sometimes the wheel does not lock and the car does not start, I get no message on the information center and the battery voltage is fine. When this happens I disconnect the positive battery cable, touch it to the negative cable for 10 second, then reconnect it. This clears out / resets everything and the car starts. You may need to cycle the switch twice to get it to start, but usually when you reconnect the battery, you hear the lock motor cycle and the car will start on the first try.
Last edited by 1988Bullitt; Aug 3, 2009 at 01:23 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
Do that, but sometimes you will also need to disconnect the battery (carry a 10mm box end.) The car is programmed not to start if it detects a malfunctioning SCL situation. This programming was the response to all the C5 that would allow you to drive with an SCL failure. With my 05', they had to replace the whole SCL system to fix the problem.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 21
From: Garner NC
Mine does it every time the car sits out in the sun for a while and the interior gets warm. Jerking around the steering wheel gets it going every time. I'm going to order the part and take it in (module has to be programmed) when I get a chance.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
This weekend I removed the outer section of the locking ring for the column lock in hopes that the solenoid locking pin would not bind up, unfortunately this morning I had to do the battery disconnect trick to start the car. Battery voltage was at 12.66v after sitting in the garage all night. I will post pictures of my modifications when I get home, apparently it did not fix anything but at least it will give everyone a visual of the column lock.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: GEAUX TIGERS PSL FL.
Got it! Rattled the steering wheel back and forth and she gave in. I`m thinkin the cars been sitting to long in the garage. Maybe if there is any lube on the lock its getting gummy? I don`t know. This was fixed before. And the car does not get driven much lately.
Thanks guys for the input
Thanks guys for the input
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 21
From: Garner NC
It's 148 bucks from Gene if I recall. I was hoping it was plug and play too, as you have to disassemble the dash to get at it, which is labor intensive. A buddy of mine is a chevrolet tech and he said because it's part of the antitheft system, it has to be "'set up" with the car, much like the radio.
http://www.gmpartshouseusa.com/partl...layCatalogid=0
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
This weekend I removed the outer section of the locking ring for the column lock in hopes that the solenoid locking pin would not bind up, unfortunately this morning I had to do the battery disconnect trick to start the car. Battery voltage was at 12.66v after sitting in the garage all night. I will post pictures of my modifications when I get home, apparently it did not fix anything but at least it will give everyone a visual of the column lock.
Before,
After,
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
Got it! Rattled the steering wheel back and forth and she gave in. I`m thinkin the cars been sitting to long in the garage. Maybe if there is any lube on the lock its getting gummy? I don`t know. This was fixed before. And the car does not get driven much lately.
Thanks guys for the input
Thanks guys for the input
Good to hear you did not have to tow it, I have been able to get mine to start everytime, just have to do the steering wheel wiggle or the battery disconnect dance
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: MS
Hello everyone.
For the 2nd time in 5 months, I`m having to tow my vette into a dealer for column lock issues. 52,000 fairly problem free miles and now this.
So I suppose I have to fork over money for another towing bill.
Yesterday it was running fine and today this. Seems quite sudden. Is there anything I can check before having it towed. Battery is new and on charger.
For the 2nd time in 5 months, I`m having to tow my vette into a dealer for column lock issues. 52,000 fairly problem free miles and now this.
So I suppose I have to fork over money for another towing bill.
Yesterday it was running fine and today this. Seems quite sudden. Is there anything I can check before having it towed. Battery is new and on charger.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 21
From: Garner NC
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: MS