TSB (#18-NA-346) recall
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
TSB (#18-NA-346) recall
Hey guys, I’m looking into a 2005 c6 with a manual transmission and have heard of the steering column lock failing. I recently found that GM put out TSB (#18-NA-346). My question is to those who have gotten this done. Did it really work with no reoccurring issues? Any drawbacks to it? I just don’t want to throw money at it knowing it will break again. Thanks for the replies!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 146
Likes: 28
From: Union MO
I just had this TSB done (partially) 2 weeks ago. Only the new BCM utility file was updated, I asked the dealer to not bother with the lock ring change as I saw little benefit of opening up the column and messing round in there. My dealer only charged $90 for the BCM update! Others have done this approach as well.
I had originally put a column lock eliminator on the car last year the first week I bought it. I never had an actual issue but the BCM update is a better fix as the eliminators can fail.
I've only had my 2005 for a year.... Zero issues. Good luck with you search.
I had originally put a column lock eliminator on the car last year the first week I bought it. I never had an actual issue but the BCM update is a better fix as the eliminators can fail.
I've only had my 2005 for a year.... Zero issues. Good luck with you search.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 146
Likes: 28
From: Union MO
I simply told the service writer the tsb number, he looked it up and after discussion he understood exactly what I was wanting. That said its a crapshoot as some dealers won't even service 10 year old cars. I'm in a rural area and the dealer happens to be very good.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,505
Likes: 3,631
Read,
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...55118-9999.pdf
Short version, steering wheel is pulled, and the locking ring that the steering lock use to lock into, is replaced with a ring that the lock tab when fired out in the lock postion will not lock in.
The BCM is reflashed to pull the entire steering locking system out of play, without having to remove the parts for the car.
As for why the TSB now, instead of decades ago when the locking system would run into problems, GM ran out of parts to replace parts of the steering lock system, and the solution now (and what should have been the solution from the start, is the current method to solve the problem.
As for cost if you do it yourself, not hard to pull locking disc and lathe it, or just buy the replacement at less than $20,
and if you have tech 2 (or clone) can get a Ac Delco account for the car to use TDS for reflash the BCM with TDS SPS for $45.
Hardest part of the job, is just getting the old lock ring of, and then mod/new one back on,
Primer for what your in for,
https://www.diyauto.com/manufacturer...ement-by-csnow
To add, your location would help, since not a hard job, and someone like myself that is tooled up, could give you a hand to make short work of it, including SPS flashing the BCM as well in the end.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...55118-9999.pdf
Short version, steering wheel is pulled, and the locking ring that the steering lock use to lock into, is replaced with a ring that the lock tab when fired out in the lock postion will not lock in.
The BCM is reflashed to pull the entire steering locking system out of play, without having to remove the parts for the car.
As for why the TSB now, instead of decades ago when the locking system would run into problems, GM ran out of parts to replace parts of the steering lock system, and the solution now (and what should have been the solution from the start, is the current method to solve the problem.
As for cost if you do it yourself, not hard to pull locking disc and lathe it, or just buy the replacement at less than $20,
and if you have tech 2 (or clone) can get a Ac Delco account for the car to use TDS for reflash the BCM with TDS SPS for $45.
Hardest part of the job, is just getting the old lock ring of, and then mod/new one back on,
Primer for what your in for,
https://www.diyauto.com/manufacturer...ement-by-csnow
To add, your location would help, since not a hard job, and someone like myself that is tooled up, could give you a hand to make short work of it, including SPS flashing the BCM as well in the end.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
Read,
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...55118-9999.pdf
Short version, steering wheel is pulled, and the locking ring that the steering lock use to lock into, is replaced with a ring that the lock tab when fired out in the lock postion will not lock in.
The BCM is reflashed to pull the entire steering locking system out of play, without having to remove the parts for the car.
As for why the TSB now, instead of decades ago when the locking system would run into problems, GM ran out of parts to replace parts of the steering lock system, and the solution now (and what should have been the solution from the start, is the current method to solve the problem.
As for cost if you do it yourself, not hard to pull locking disc and lathe it, or just buy the replacement at less than $20,
and if you have tech 2 (or clone) can get a Ac Delco account for the car to use TDS for reflash the BCM with TDS SPS for $45.
Hardest part of the job, is just getting the old lock ring of, and then mod/new one back on,
Primer for what your in for,
https://www.diyauto.com/manufacturer...ement-by-csnow
To add, your location would help, since not a hard job, and someone like myself that is tooled up, could give you a hand to make short work of it, including SPS flashing the BCM as well in the end.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...55118-9999.pdf
Short version, steering wheel is pulled, and the locking ring that the steering lock use to lock into, is replaced with a ring that the lock tab when fired out in the lock postion will not lock in.
The BCM is reflashed to pull the entire steering locking system out of play, without having to remove the parts for the car.
As for why the TSB now, instead of decades ago when the locking system would run into problems, GM ran out of parts to replace parts of the steering lock system, and the solution now (and what should have been the solution from the start, is the current method to solve the problem.
As for cost if you do it yourself, not hard to pull locking disc and lathe it, or just buy the replacement at less than $20,
and if you have tech 2 (or clone) can get a Ac Delco account for the car to use TDS for reflash the BCM with TDS SPS for $45.
Hardest part of the job, is just getting the old lock ring of, and then mod/new one back on,
Primer for what your in for,
https://www.diyauto.com/manufacturer...ement-by-csnow
To add, your location would help, since not a hard job, and someone like myself that is tooled up, could give you a hand to make short work of it, including SPS flashing the BCM as well in the end.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 36
From: Aurora Indiana
My 2005 never gave me any issues but I was aware of the issues that could happen when it fails. There are many experiences on this forum stating the problems that can happen when it fails. The TSB is a permanent fix for this issue. I had this procedure completed on my car by a dealer three years ago. No problems. Glad I had this done.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 190
From: Austin TX
I replaced my column lock in 2010. Unfortunately it was a few weeks before the bypass module came out. Still a little bitter about it but it is what it is. 15 years and 60-70k later, no issues. However, 8f you have the drive and the means, I would do it. Prior to the TSB, the solution was to replace parts so there was no permanent fix. Since parts are unavailable, it's now been made a permanent fix by actually shutting it off in the bcm.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 190
From: Austin TX
Read,
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...55118-9999.pdf
Short version, steering wheel is pulled, and the locking ring that the steering lock use to lock into, is replaced with a ring that the lock tab when fired out in the lock postion will not lock in.
The BCM is reflashed to pull the entire steering locking system out of play, without having to remove the parts for the car.
As for why the TSB now, instead of decades ago when the locking system would run into problems, GM ran out of parts to replace parts of the steering lock system, and the solution now (and what should have been the solution from the start, is the current method to solve the problem.
As for cost if you do it yourself, not hard to pull locking disc and lathe it, or just buy the replacement at less than $20,
and if you have tech 2 (or clone) can get a Ac Delco account for the car to use TDS for reflash the BCM with TDS SPS for $45.
Hardest part of the job, is just getting the old lock ring of, and then mod/new one back on,
Primer for what your in for,
https://www.diyauto.com/manufacturer...ement-by-csnow
To add, your location would help, since not a hard job, and someone like myself that is tooled up, could give you a hand to make short work of it, including SPS flashing the BCM as well in the end.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...55118-9999.pdf
Short version, steering wheel is pulled, and the locking ring that the steering lock use to lock into, is replaced with a ring that the lock tab when fired out in the lock postion will not lock in.
The BCM is reflashed to pull the entire steering locking system out of play, without having to remove the parts for the car.
As for why the TSB now, instead of decades ago when the locking system would run into problems, GM ran out of parts to replace parts of the steering lock system, and the solution now (and what should have been the solution from the start, is the current method to solve the problem.
As for cost if you do it yourself, not hard to pull locking disc and lathe it, or just buy the replacement at less than $20,
and if you have tech 2 (or clone) can get a Ac Delco account for the car to use TDS for reflash the BCM with TDS SPS for $45.
Hardest part of the job, is just getting the old lock ring of, and then mod/new one back on,
Primer for what your in for,
https://www.diyauto.com/manufacturer...ement-by-csnow
To add, your location would help, since not a hard job, and someone like myself that is tooled up, could give you a hand to make short work of it, including SPS flashing the BCM as well in the end.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,505
Likes: 3,631
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...55118-9999.pdf
Also, it give you photos of both, and if you know anyone with mill, not hard to just mill the old ring, into the new needed none locking rig plate.
And yes, the plate is needed, since it functions as a spacer as well.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,505
Likes: 3,631