I am glad it is probably just the dead battery.
Service Column Lock!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Service Column Lock!
Hey guys, I got a 'Service Column Lock' warning yesterday after jumpstarting my '05. 
The battery was pretty much flat dead after sitting in my cold garage for 3-4 weeks with no love. (original battery).
I shut down the car, read the manual (says to tow the car to the dealer), restarted the car and had no subsequent warnings. I called my local dealer and they said it was 'probably' due to the computer throwing codes, and it should be okay.
I have driven it carefully at first, then regular for ~50 miles with no issues or returned warnings.
Ideas??
I will also do a search on the forum, as I know there have been some others with this issue.
The battery was pretty much flat dead after sitting in my cold garage for 3-4 weeks with no love. (original battery).I shut down the car, read the manual (says to tow the car to the dealer), restarted the car and had no subsequent warnings. I called my local dealer and they said it was 'probably' due to the computer throwing codes, and it should be okay.
I have driven it carefully at first, then regular for ~50 miles with no issues or returned warnings.Ideas??
I will also do a search on the forum, as I know there have been some others with this issue.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Hey guys, I got a 'Service Column Lock' warning yesterday after jumpstarting my '05. The battery was pretty much flat dead after sitting in my cold garage for 3-4 weeks with no love. (original battery).
I shut down the car, read the manual (says to tow the car to the dealer), restarted the car and had no subsequent warnings. I called my local dealer and they said it was 'probably' due to the computer throwing codes, and it should be okay. I have driven it carefully at first, then regular for ~50 miles with no issues or returned warnings.
Ideas??
I will also do a search on the forum, as I know there have been some others with this issue.
I shut down the car, read the manual (says to tow the car to the dealer), restarted the car and had no subsequent warnings. I called my local dealer and they said it was 'probably' due to the computer throwing codes, and it should be okay. I have driven it carefully at first, then regular for ~50 miles with no issues or returned warnings.
Ideas??
I will also do a search on the forum, as I know there have been some others with this issue.
Make sure that your car got the BCM reflash to avoid DBS.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Fishers Indiana
I didn't know that this was an issue in the C6's. My '00 had this all the time; major PITA! In the C5 I could just go "gorilla" on it and somehow work it loose. I eventually broke down and got the fix. Good luck and I hope it's not a further issue for you.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
The very common Dreaded Battery Syndrome went unexplained for over a year, resulting in a sudden dead battery with '05 MN6's despite proper shutdown in reverse. A dealer reflash of the Body Control Module is the cure.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,449
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
It shouldn't be a problem for you. They quit installing col. locks in auto trannied cars back around '03, and in the MN6 cars in '06 (I think).
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,529
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
This and related DBS were a very big deal here on the forum in '05!
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Navigator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Newtown PA
re: column lock
When the battery goes low or dead you will almost always get the service column lock problem. Not enough voltage to move the actuator and the dic will display service column lock since it didn't detect it change position. If the recall was done the steering wheel won't lock and you should be able to drive with no problem. If you charge the battery and then disconnect it the code should clear the next time you start it. If not you probably have a problem with the actual column lock.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
I had this same problem in my '05 MN6.
Drove to work fine, went out to car after work and got the Service Column Lock message. Tried again a few minutes later and it unlocked fine and started. Drove home fine. As soon as I was home, I wanted to make sure it wasn't an issue. I started and stopped the car 5-10 times in the garage, locking the wheel at each shutdown. Finally got the error to come back.
Figured the starting and stopping might have drained the battery too much, so I tried jumping it... still got the column lock message. I did NOT unhook the battery to try clearing the code... I probably should have tried that.
Called GM and had it towed to the dealer under warranty. From there, I don't know what they did. I gave them the info from this site about the battery. They tested battery and it tested fine. The service writer said they pulled the locking mechanism out to fix it. When I got the car back, the column still locks so apparently they didn't fix it that way (clueless service writer)!!! Maybe they unhooked the battery, charged it, and cleared the code??? I'm not really sure.
Whatever they did seems to have worked... I haven't seen the message reappear in about 4 months.
Phew... sorry for the long post!
Drove to work fine, went out to car after work and got the Service Column Lock message. Tried again a few minutes later and it unlocked fine and started. Drove home fine. As soon as I was home, I wanted to make sure it wasn't an issue. I started and stopped the car 5-10 times in the garage, locking the wheel at each shutdown. Finally got the error to come back.
Figured the starting and stopping might have drained the battery too much, so I tried jumping it... still got the column lock message. I did NOT unhook the battery to try clearing the code... I probably should have tried that.
Called GM and had it towed to the dealer under warranty. From there, I don't know what they did. I gave them the info from this site about the battery. They tested battery and it tested fine. The service writer said they pulled the locking mechanism out to fix it. When I got the car back, the column still locks so apparently they didn't fix it that way (clueless service writer)!!! Maybe they unhooked the battery, charged it, and cleared the code??? I'm not really sure.
Whatever they did seems to have worked... I haven't seen the message reappear in about 4 months.
Phew... sorry for the long post!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,155
Likes: 1
From: The United States of TEXAS www.corvettemotorsportsinc.com
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11
MY MN6 just did the same damn thing. Dead battery and code. I charged it and disconnected the battery. will check the code in the am. uugghh
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I've killed my battery listening to the radio while I work on the car several times. Every time I kill the battery I get the service column lock but as soon as I hook up a jump it starts and no message, and after the battery charges up after driving all is fine.
I bet all will be fine with you too.
I bet all will be fine with you too.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 1
From: Objects in your mirror are losing , Long Island, NY
St. Jude Donor '08
Damn dreaded dead battery just now (05 6MZ tranny). Had it jump started and the DIC also displayed "service column lock. " Battery is 2 1/2 years old shouldn't be dead so soon. I drove it for a few miles and noticed the battery charge voltage only goes up to 12.9 to 13.4 which is normally an indication that the battery is not holding the charge fully. It is normally between 14 to 14.7 volts.
I guess it's time for a new battery. Seems odd that a battery goes bad after only 2.5 years.
This is my second battery gone bad since I purchased my c6 new 3 1/4 years ago. 
Battery is 2 1/2 years old shouldn't be dead so soon. I drove it for a few miles and noticed the battery charge voltage only goes up to 12.9 to 13.4 which is normally an indication that the battery is not holding the charge fully. It is normally between 14 to 14.7 volts. I guess it's time for a new battery. Seems odd that a battery goes bad after only 2.5 years.
This is my second battery gone bad since I purchased my c6 new 3 1/4 years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 3
From: READING PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Damn dreaded dead battery just now (05 6MZ tranny). Had it jump started and the DIC also displayed "service column lock. " Battery is 2 1/2 years old shouldn't be dead so soon. I drove it for a few miles and noticed the battery charge voltage only goes up to 12.9 to 13.4 which is normally an indication that the battery is not holding the charge fully. It is normally between 14 to 14.7 volts.
I guess it's time for a new battery. Seems odd that a battery goes bad after only 2.5 years. This is my second battery gone bad since I purchased my c6 new 3 1/4 years ago.
Battery is 2 1/2 years old shouldn't be dead so soon. I drove it for a few miles and noticed the battery charge voltage only goes up to 12.9 to 13.4 which is normally an indication that the battery is not holding the charge fully. It is normally between 14 to 14.7 volts. I guess it's time for a new battery. Seems odd that a battery goes bad after only 2.5 years.
This is my second battery gone bad since I purchased my c6 new 3 1/4 years ago. voltage when the demand is high. Changing the battery out wont hurt but be sure the 14.7 volts is there when first starting.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 1
From: Objects in your mirror are losing , Long Island, NY
St. Jude Donor '08
Yes I usually check to see the voltage is at 14-14.7 when starting. I will change the battery today and see what happens.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
Likes: 129
From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 1
From: Objects in your mirror are losing , Long Island, NY
St. Jude Donor '08
I was going to change the battery today, well, car started fine this morning, battery voltage was fine and service column prompt is gone. All is well again..."Things that make you go HMMMM.."