2005 steering column lock
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2005 steering column lock
My 05 6-speed started giving me the message 'service steering column lock' and not starting. The manual says to have it towed to a dealer, but this could be a problem in some situations.
Its done it a few times in the past week. I have to wait an hour or so until it decides to work again.
Any suggestions? Any solutions? the dealer says he has never heard of the problem.
HELP
Its done it a few times in the past week. I have to wait an hour or so until it decides to work again.
Any suggestions? Any solutions? the dealer says he has never heard of the problem.
HELP
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,910
Likes: 29
From: Mount Pleasant SC
when my battery died from sitting for a month, got this message when I started it up. The column lock is an old problem left over from the C5's. Charge the battery or get a new one and the message should go away. good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 272
From: SC
My 05 6-speed started giving me the message 'service steering column lock' and not starting. The manual says to have it towed to a dealer, but this could be a problem in some situations.
Its done it a few times in the past week. I have to wait an hour or so until it decides to work again.
Any suggestions? Any solutions? the dealer says he has never heard of the problem.HELP
Its done it a few times in the past week. I have to wait an hour or so until it decides to work again.
Any suggestions? Any solutions? the dealer says he has never heard of the problem.HELP
It blows my mind how "lost" dealerships are when it comes to common problems with the cars they sell and service!
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Had the recall done on my 05 six speed. The following week battery went dead. Charged the battery and got it started then had the service column lock message. First thing that popped in my head was that something got screwed up by the recall fix so I drove it straight over to the dealer. Made an appointment to have it checked out then on my way home the message went away. I had read in another thread once that the dead battery syndrome can be caused by three things. Car not in reverse, parking brake not set, and the steering column not locked. So I`am thinking I probably missed that step when I shut it down ( I Hope ).
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
steering column lock
I got mine back from the dealer with a new scl mechanism put in, at a moderately excessive cost, and it worked for about 3 days before it failed to start again. This time it just didn't start. The lock disengaged, but no start. Then the lock would not re-engage. Battery voltage was over 12, and everything else was working, but no start.
Had it dragged back to the dealer. He found nothing, but charged up the battery and it seemed to work again. So, how long will it last this time?
Had it dragged back to the dealer. He found nothing, but charged up the battery and it seemed to work again. So, how long will it last this time?
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Got mine back today. They checked out all codes and said everything was due to a weak battery charge. Recommended I keep the car on a trickle charge or disconnect battery when in the garage. Well have it on my battery tender now see what happens. Dealer gave me a free inspection which was cool since my warranty was expired.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I got mine back from the dealer with a new scl mechanism put in, at a moderately excessive cost, and it worked for about 3 days before it failed to start again. This time it just didn't start. The lock disengaged, but no start. Then the lock would not re-engage. Battery voltage was over 12, and everything else was working, but no start.
Had it dragged back to the dealer. He found nothing, but charged up the battery and it seemed to work again. So, how long will it last this time?
Had it dragged back to the dealer. He found nothing, but charged up the battery and it seemed to work again. So, how long will it last this time?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,934
Likes: 4,257
From: NC
Had the recall done on my 05 six speed. The following week battery went dead. Charged the battery and got it started then had the service column lock message. First thing that popped in my head was that something got screwed up by the recall fix so I drove it straight over to the dealer. Made an appointment to have it checked out then on my way home the message went away. I had read in another thread once that the dead battery syndrome can be caused by three things. Car not in reverse, parking brake not set, and the steering column not locked. So I`am thinking I probably missed that step when I shut it down ( I Hope ).
Jimmy
Is this problem unique only to 6 spd manual trans? What about 4 spd. auto in 2005 any reported problems?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Savannah GA
Mine did the same thing...I have heard all sorts of reasons why but I eventually took it to the dealer and had all of the parts in the steering column replaced. I think there are mechanical and electrical parts involved. Anyway...it fixed the problem and I have not had any issues since. You can contact me and I'll provide the dealer information so your guy can call the guy who worked on mine. It's a real pain in the a$$ when it happens and normally you dont have time to set and wait for it to reset itself.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Savannah GA
I just spoke to my dealer and they replaced the actual steering column lock and the module......problem solved. I think this should be a recall item myself because it is happening so much to other owners.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 170
Likes: 2
From: Tampa Florida
Having surfed a ton of sites and forums over the last year to solve my no start issues, I have noticed too many folks post solutions or answers that have no merit what so ever, I just shake my head. But that's just a passing comment...
I have narrowed my problem to the column lock. It had never been an issue until around 4 years old and the first no start was attributed to dead battery, and at 4 years old in Florida who wouldn't think it was the battery!
So, if someone believes they can steal my car and has gone to all that trouble I'm not worried about the column lock, rather than forking out 500-$600 for new module, can it be bypassed or tricked to stop the error message and the no-starts?
...or can someone tell me how to remove the steering cover to access module?
Part $330 GM Parts warehouse
I have narrowed my problem to the column lock. It had never been an issue until around 4 years old and the first no start was attributed to dead battery, and at 4 years old in Florida who wouldn't think it was the battery!
So, if someone believes they can steal my car and has gone to all that trouble I'm not worried about the column lock, rather than forking out 500-$600 for new module, can it be bypassed or tricked to stop the error message and the no-starts?
...or can someone tell me how to remove the steering cover to access module?
Part $330 GM Parts warehouse
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 301
From: Tucson Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
yes
Their are threads on this forum where members have replaced their own column lock modules. Do a search on this forum of part #'s 88963402 and 15915003 and you will find DIY threads done in the last year.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,073
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
im working on a possible scl fix
I just got the service steering column message in my 05 manual trans vette and my car wont start. So I removed the scl, took it apart and notice a little button had to be pressed to make the car run and that was it. So I glued down the button, put it back together and installed it in my car. My car now starts! Ill let you know if I get any side affect problems like dead battery because it doesnt lock anymore. Not sure if the bcm is gonna get affected by this or not either. If all goes well and I dont have problems I will give full directions on what I did and get some pictures up.