Steering Column Lock
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
Originally Posted by 3vettefam
Has anyone experienced the steering column lock. Our 2005 had to be towed yesterday after it locked up. This is the third time this has happened. Any suggetions or solutions?
Been there, done that. The only solution is a complete replace of the entire SCL system, unless they have finally traced the bug. It was a big problem for some of the early 05's.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by fastskyline
went to start the car one day and the DIC says "service column lock" had to have it towed to the dealer.
With DBS and other causes of a dead battery that service code is thrown frequently, but not because the SCL is faulty. It just didn't or couldn't do its proper thing on shut down.
The battery needs a good charge to get you going again, and the car needs its battery and charging system checked. If that's all OK, you may just have experienced DBS.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO.
Originally Posted by Hoonose
First question is do you have a manual tranny?
With DBS and other causes of a dead battery that service code is thrown frequently, but not because the SCL is faulty. It just didn't or couldn't do its proper thing on shut down.
The battery needs a good charge to get you going again, and the car needs its battery and charging system checked. If that's all OK, you may just have experienced DBS.
With DBS and other causes of a dead battery that service code is thrown frequently, but not because the SCL is faulty. It just didn't or couldn't do its proper thing on shut down.
The battery needs a good charge to get you going again, and the car needs its battery and charging system checked. If that's all OK, you may just have experienced DBS.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
when my car got to the dealer, they took it off of the tow truck and the tech came right out to take a look. he got in and it started right up just like normal. they were unable to duplicate the problem so they didnt actually fix anything. that leads me to believe that the battery was just fine. i was a professionaly mechanic for a while so i know just how elusive and tricky electrical problems can be. for now ill just cross my fingers and hope it doesnt happen again.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by fastskyline
when my car got to the dealer, they took it off of the tow truck and the tech came right out to take a look. he got in and it started right up just like normal. they were unable to duplicate the problem so they didnt actually fix anything. that leads me to believe that the battery was just fine. i was a professionaly mechanic for a while so i know just how elusive and tricky electrical problems can be. for now ill just cross my fingers and hope it doesnt happen again.
Please keep us up to date on any developments.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
Originally Posted by fastskyline
when my car got to the dealer, they took it off of the tow truck and the tech came right out to take a look. he got in and it started right up just like normal. they were unable to duplicate the problem so they didnt actually fix anything. that leads me to believe that the battery was just fine. i was a professionaly mechanic for a while so i know just how elusive and tricky electrical problems can be. for now ill just cross my fingers and hope it doesnt happen again.
Why the car won't start is that the computer detects an ongoing SCL problem and will not allow the car to start until whatever is throwing the error has been corrected or at least not reporting an on going error.. Normally, this is the locking bar is jammed in its' housing and aggressively turning the wheel back and forth will clear it; another fixe is to disconnect the negative side of the battery for ten or more seconds.
The C5 SCL problem would allow the car to be driven, but it would lock up the steering at +2mph-I think the C6 error solution is far safer although Chevy was somewhat remiss in telling the service techs about the C6 safety feature.
Last edited by AutoCutter; Sep 7, 2006 at 08:03 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: rochester ny
steering column lock c6
I've had this happen 2x this year I get in the car press ignition button
and get display of "steering column system lock". I'll have power like lights & radio but car will not turn over. I'll try it 2 min later or 30 min later and it will start up and be good for weeks. I called dealer but told me its steering column unit of mechanism, but can't say for sure its the problem. I would have to fork over $900 and hope it fixes it. After the fact Had a shop plug in computer to see if any error codes or something show up but nothing. Just thought you may have seen this b4 or any advice for me.
and get display of "steering column system lock". I'll have power like lights & radio but car will not turn over. I'll try it 2 min later or 30 min later and it will start up and be good for weeks. I called dealer but told me its steering column unit of mechanism, but can't say for sure its the problem. I would have to fork over $900 and hope it fixes it. After the fact Had a shop plug in computer to see if any error codes or something show up but nothing. Just thought you may have seen this b4 or any advice for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I've had this happen 2x this year I get in the car press ignition button
and get display of "steering column system lock". I'll have power like lights & radio but car will not turn over. I'll try it 2 min later or 30 min later and it will start up and be good for weeks. I called dealer but told me its steering column unit of mechanism, but can't say for sure its the problem. I would have to fork over $900 and hope it fixes it. After the fact Had a shop plug in computer to see if any error codes or something show up but nothing. Just thought you may have seen this b4 or any advice for me.
and get display of "steering column system lock". I'll have power like lights & radio but car will not turn over. I'll try it 2 min later or 30 min later and it will start up and be good for weeks. I called dealer but told me its steering column unit of mechanism, but can't say for sure its the problem. I would have to fork over $900 and hope it fixes it. After the fact Had a shop plug in computer to see if any error codes or something show up but nothing. Just thought you may have seen this b4 or any advice for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I did mine about a year ago but it took 20 minutes. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 9
From: Wichita Falls, TX
Column lock eliminator works like a champ, I'd recommend checking your battery before installing the eliminator.
http://www.corvetteworldparts.com/20...ck-eliminator/
http://www.corvetteworldparts.com/20...ck-eliminator/
