2005 C6 service Column lock.
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2005 C6 service Column lock. Locked steering wheel
My car has been down for 3 months. I get the service column lock message. The car won’t crank. Dealer wanted $1,800 to fix it. I personally don’t have the extra cash. Did lots of research on different pages and it seems that everyone has different ways of getting it fixed. Here is my personal experience.
You must replace existing steering column control module. Make sure you get the matching model number / same part number. I found an exact steering wheel control module online.
Cost $89
https://www.ebay.com/str/aescorvetteparts?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid= 711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=vg3sESyORR6&sssrc=3418065&ssuid= oekbmgu4sqq&widget_ver=artemis&media=COP Y
2. Installed a new bypass from west coast corvette. Make sure you no longer get the service column lock message.
Cost $ 59
3. The other issue I had was that the steering lock pin was locked. So you remove the steering wheel off, airbag out and locking plate must be pulled to be able to cut the pin off.
4. You put everything back together and starts working again.
If you have any questions please feel free to text me with any questions.
Mic
You must replace existing steering column control module. Make sure you get the matching model number / same part number. I found an exact steering wheel control module online.
Cost $89
https://www.ebay.com/str/aescorvetteparts?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid= 711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=vg3sESyORR6&sssrc=3418065&ssuid= oekbmgu4sqq&widget_ver=artemis&media=COP Y
2. Installed a new bypass from west coast corvette. Make sure you no longer get the service column lock message.
Cost $ 59
3. The other issue I had was that the steering lock pin was locked. So you remove the steering wheel off, airbag out and locking plate must be pulled to be able to cut the pin off.
4. You put everything back together and starts working again.
If you have any questions please feel free to text me with any questions.
Mic
Last edited by Mic521; Oct 8, 2024 at 09:42 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
Dealer TSB (#18-NA-346, issued Nov 14, 2018), which should dealer cost about $450, to solve the problem. The fact that you where quoted $1300 to fix the system, guessing none GM dealer,since the HM dealers know that you can not longer get the parts (lock or SCLM, and why the TSB in in play to fix the problem.
As for lock elimitor latching relay, works to solve the actual lock problems when the lock gears started to bind, or cable.ribbon breaks, but does not solve problems that can happen with the actual SCLM goes south (part that the eliminator plugs into), that GM no long has, and the reason to replace the locking plate with no locking plate, and just reflash the BCM to take the entire lock system/SCLM out of play.
So before the BCM Update flash to remove the system from being in play once you could not longer get the SCLM if it when bad in 2018, there was the steering lock relay eliminator that was used instead; since even the brand new steering locks would have the same gear binding problems in a few years as well..
As for lock elimitor latching relay, works to solve the actual lock problems when the lock gears started to bind, or cable.ribbon breaks, but does not solve problems that can happen with the actual SCLM goes south (part that the eliminator plugs into), that GM no long has, and the reason to replace the locking plate with no locking plate, and just reflash the BCM to take the entire lock system/SCLM out of play.
So before the BCM Update flash to remove the system from being in play once you could not longer get the SCLM if it when bad in 2018, there was the steering lock relay eliminator that was used instead; since even the brand new steering locks would have the same gear binding problems in a few years as well..
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 188
From: Austin TX
The most efficient thing to do is to is to go ahead and get the BCM flash. There are some DIY instructions on this site on how to do it yourself. However, I would probably shop around a few dealers. Like Dano said, this should be around $450, not 1800. My guess is that they quoted you parts and replacement for the original column not paying attention or not caring that the part is no longer being made. This was my biggest PITA on my 05 when it happened but that was in 2010 when parts were available and I could replace it. If it goes out again, Ill either get the TSB done or sell the car.
