BACKGROUND:

I called Chevrolet Customer Assistance @ 800-222-1020. Information that was given to me.

* Electronic Lock Column System
* Recalls will be mailed on June 16th
* For 1997 to 2004
* Applies to 94,000 automatic & 46,000 manual
* Tech Service Bulletin: 01-02-35-008
* Recall Number: 04-006

AS OF TODAY:

Expecting that the recall notices would have been mailed by mid-June and not having received one, I visited with a Chevrolet Dealer and they had received notification of the recall. Upon entering my VIN into the dealer's GM Vehicle Inquiry System, the following messages displayed on the form:

"Vehicle has no current record of outstanding recalls or Service Infornation ".

Yet, when calling Chevrolet Customer Assistance, the recall does apply to the 2002 Z06

Has anyone actually received the recall notification letter ?


Ken..........your thoughts ?

 

Starting in 2001 A4's DIDNOT have a colum lock installed
so how can it be recalled??

 

That's what I have always been told. Man I'm more confused now than I ever was. Ken please help us out and try to get us a straight answer from GM. Please.

 

Copied on July 11th from the NHTSA web site using the 2002 model year:

NHTSA Action Number : EA02031
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : 04V060000

Make : CHEVROLET
Model: CORVETTE

Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Year : 2002

Component : STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Date Investigation Opened : November 15, 2002

Date Investigation Closed : March 11, 2004

Summary:
IN 2001, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ISSUED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 1044 AND 1044A TO ADDRESS A CONDITION WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FAIL TO UNLOCK DURING THE INITIAL KEY-IN AND START-UP IN CERTAIN MY 1998-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES. HOWEVER, ODI CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN LOCKUP ON CORVETTE VEHICLES. AS A RESULT, PE02-054 WAS OPENED AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA02-031 FOR MY 1997-2001 SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CONCERNS WITH POST-REPAIR FAILURES IN VEHICLES SERVICED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGNS, AS WELL AS, FAILURES IN MY 1997-2003 SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGNS. (NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER FAILURE DATA ABOVE IS LIMITED TO MY 1997-2003 VEHICLES THROUGH 10/17/2003.) ON FEBRUARY 6, 2004, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 1997-2004 CORVETTE VEHCLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MY 1997-2000 CORVETTE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT IF THE VOLTAGE AT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT DOWN THE FUEL SUPPLY WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO UNLOCK AND THE CUSTOMER TRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IS LOW OR INTERRUPTED, THE FUEL SHUT OFF MAY NOT OCCUR. AS A RESULT, THE CUSTOMER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE PCM REPROGRAMMED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND THE ELECTRIC COLUMN LOCK DISABLED FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES. ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

 

Using the NHSTA web site and the search on the NHSTA Action Number of EA02031, the following heading and same text message as copied in the previous reply is posted for all Corvettes from " 1997 to 2004 ":

NHTSA Action Number : EA02031
NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : 04V060000

Make : CHEVROLET
Model: CORVETTE

Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Year : 1997

Component : STEERING

Date Investigation Opened : November 15, 2002

Date Investigation Closed : March 11, 2004

 

Tony - For what it's worth, I have the exact same situation (warning light but steering wheel not locked and car runs fine) on my '98 (which has also had battery voltage/current drain problems) and the local Chevy dealer said that it is common to get this DIC warning after addressing a dead or low voltage battery problem in a C5.

In short, if this dealer is telling me the truth, you (and I) may NOT have the typical column lock failure problem... at least not yet... but merely a nuisance indication that we have had recent battery problems.

My only remaining problem is that I refuse to pay the dealer $39 to re-set the steering column warning on the DIC. I'm trying to find out if there is a cheaper or free alternative way to get this reset.

Monk :flag :flag :flag

 

I have the same problem on my '99 automatic convertible. My warning showed-up shortly after I added the 12 disc changer, but I'm not sure how that would have caused the problem. My car had the earlier recall done, and when I went to the dealer they didn't have anything about a new recall (or course, the Chevy dealer I went to does not sell new Corvettes). If you find a good way to disable the warning let me know.

 

I wonder if the 12 disc changer somehow added just enough parasitic load to start affecting your battery. I suspect that my own Kenwood changer (used with a special adapter) has contributed to my parked parasitic load. Do you drive your Vette every day? I didn't/don't... and that's what led to my own battery's downfall! Optima Yellow Top on the way as we speak!

Regarding resetting the DIC nuisance warning... With all the extremely smart people here, I am amazed that no one has answered my posts looking for a solution (i.e., other than a $$$ dealer with a Tech II). Maybe folks are just plain CLB'd out. Maybe the nuisance warnings reset themselves once the underlying problem is fixed and/or the BCM is reset (the fuse #25 fix or disconnecting battery for a few hours?). Not much more investigating I can do before that new Yellow Top arrives!

Monk :flag :flag :flag

 

Let me know what you find-out with your new battery. I drive mine several times a week, but your idea on the parasitic load makes sense. I believe I may be having a battery or alternator problem, since I have gotten a charging system warning once.

Thanks,

Greg

 

The Yellow Top is due in on Thursday. I'll know by the weekend if I still have other problems (i.e., other than a weak/failing battery) to address. But based on your last comment, it sounds like your battery may be due for replacement as well.

Monk :flag :flag :flag

 

My '03 A4 BBB Vert (Canadian Car) does not have a lock on the steering column I can turn the wheel with no key in the ignition and engine not running... From this I gather the problem has been fixed for the "Export" Cars
or maybe the dealer fixed it.
just for info purposes.
mrgil

 

The brand new Yellow Top is installed, but I have it on a trickle charger today and am waiting for it to rise up to full voltage (12.6V as received >---> 13.8V) before messing around with more current drain tests. It already appears that my steering column lock nuisance warning is gone... possibly the result of having no battery in the car for a week before hooking up the new Yellow Top... who knows? For all I know, it could return.

I did take an initial parked parasitic current drain reading last night with the hood light off and doors closed and was shocked to see it start at about 2.5 Amps and decay down to between 1.0 and 1.5 Amps after a minute or two. I hope I just took the reading too early (or incorrectly)... or at this rate even my new battery will last only 2-3 days!!! Yikes!!!

Monk

7/26 Update: After more scientific & accurate testing with the new battery installed, it appears that my sleep mode current drain is between 25 and 50 Milliamps... exactly where folks told me it should be. The readings above were obviously not representative of long-term parasitic current drain.

 

I disconnected the battery for 20 minutes today and the column lock message went away. I also don't know if it will return, but I suspect it does have something to do with low battery voltage. If it happens again I'll probably get a yellow-top to replace the battery.

 

Recite after me: “Recalls are VIN specific, not all vehicles in a particular model year are going to be involved.” Before the recall is released neither we nor the dealer will be able to advise which specific VINs will be included. Whoever you spoke to at Customer Assistance should have advised of this.

And for the LOVE OF GOD people. It’s VIN, not VIN #. Vehicle Identification Number. Not Vehicle Identification Number #. ::spasm:: You’re killing me…

proverb

 

Might want to cut back on the coffee there, proverb! especially since you're in customer service

hey, let me try this......It's water heater, not HOT water heater

 

Might want to cut back on the coffee there, proverb! especially since you're in customer service

Oh what the heck, let me have a go at this......It's a water heater, people, not HOT water heater

 

I own a 2001 red Z06 with a 6spd. I received notification of the recall and have had it performed. After getting the car back I noticed that the average fuel consumption feature gets reset when the ignition is turned off.

The car has never done this before and I noticed on the way home from the dealer. Has anyone had any problems with the information center after having the recall performed?

I also noticed that the passenger's door has stopped unlocking when the key is removed. I had a problem like this and had it fixed under warrenty awhile back but it seem suspicious that it would come back right after the recall was done.

I would appreciate your thoughts

 

I have a 98 with 6 speed. I got a recall notice in 99 or there abouts telling me that my car was under warranty work for the column lock. I finally took it in 4 months ago and they would not fix it under warranty. I called cust service and was told the warranty on the recall notice ran out in july of 2001. I told them I hurt my back and could not get to it at the time and the car has only 16k miles on it. Customer service politly told me to take a hike.

 

Got mine done this week on my 98 Aztec Gold automatic.

Fully covered by GM.. and I never got a notice from them.

Roscoe...