GOT bit by the C5 vette locked steering column

Don't know if anyone in this site has suffered this problem with the SERVICE SOON LOCKED COLUMN or not.
But went on a couple other vette web sites and was truly amazed at how rampid this problem is w/ 97 to 2001 vettes.
Mine locked up when backing the Mallett out of my driveway. Kinda scary thinking what would have happened had I been going down the road or intererstate.

Happened to my 02 about 18 months ago. It went for the recall and happened. I had an extended warranty and the dealer charged me $100. to cover the deductable and fixed it. I understand there is a second recall, you should look into it. I was pulling out of my drive when it happened, lucky I wasn't into the throttle!

Vettever said:

Happened to my 02 about 18 months ago. It went for the recall and happened. I had an extended warranty and the dealer charged me $100. to cover the deductable and fixed it. I understand there is a second recall, you should look into it. I was pulling out of my drive when it happened, lucky I wasn't into the throttle!

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You Got SCREWED out of $100!!! Recalls are supposed to Covered by Manufacturer!!:toetap05::toetap05::thumbsup:

Vettever said:

Happened to my 02 about 18 months ago. It went for the recall and happened. I had an extended warranty and the dealer charged me $100. to cover the deductable and fixed it. I understand there is a second recall, you should look into it. I was pulling out of my drive when it happened, lucky I wasn't into the throttle!

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If it's a recall, they shouldn't be charging you ANYTHING no matter if you are under warranty, extended warranty, or no coverage at all. I've got a 95 Crown Vic that's been recalled for a cruise control problem, and the notice said that it was being done at no cost to me. I think that if they charged you a hundred bucks for a "deductible"........you got ripped off! Any one else want to chime in on this? I would think that Vetter would be able to get the money back.........right :shrug01:
Andy

No work performed under a recall should cost you anything. A deductible makes it sound like some kind of insurance claim.:shrug01:

Vettever, you should send a letter to the dealership requesting your money refunded. There is no charge for that recall.

little more infor concerning the Cloumn lock

Little more FYI research on this problem w/ the module's.
As I'd mentioned, this column thing is due to a malfunctioning module relay.
GM has had 2 issued recall's. Last being in 2006. And as a recall, there isn't a charge.
GM issued a recall of 127,000 CORVETTES Feb 15, 2006
recall # GMP06-029-05081 product saftey # 04006C
However, in my case and those whose cloumn's do lock........getting the car to the dealer (towing) well, that's your expense.
After reading many reply's concerning the repair's at the Chevy dealer, and the fact GM's solution for the repair, and MANY MANY vette owner's having the problem reoccur.............this isn't a option for me, nor has it been for other's. So you C5 owner's will know......this isn't a MIGHT HAPPEN to me, it's a WHEN will it happen.
There is however a column lock BY PASS module kit out there for around $35 to $40.00
that can be purchased that does eliminate the problem. Everyone who has bought and installed this system (which takes about 30 minutes) has never had the problem again.
Myself, I don't let any dealer touch my car. I do the repair's, I know it's done right. Proud to say this is the very first failure my 97 has ever had.

You need a column lock bypass...GMs fix will fail.....its not of but when...spend $50 and 30 minutes....Corvettes of Houston has them in stock

I agree, i bought my CLB even before i bought my car!

Got mine from CoH as well.

Thanks Pewter99 & Chris 308

Needless to say, mine's on the way (CLB) . Damn if this isn't a scary thing to have happened. LMAO. Just glad my other C5 doesn't have this problem.
(very late 2001) Wife say's she'll change mine out for me......yea right!!!:lmao:

97 and 03

My 1997 locked up in the driveway and Ferman came over and fixed it.

When I got the new 2003 "Zee", it was the first thing I did to the car, was to install the by-pass. It good advice to all "C5" owner's to have the CLB installed today.

THEN GET INTO THE SERIOUS MODS!!!!:lmao:

:hehehe: JIM :hehehe:

I actually bought a CLB a while back and when changing out my shifter, looked to tackle the install of this thing. Looked like a real pain in the butt to me, as I just couldn't figure out how to get my fingers to that plug. So I just held onto it and took it down to AntiVenom to let Greg do it.

I figured he could do it in 10 minutes, taking time to drink a coke at the same time. But he couldn't get it to work and figured it was defective. Tried another one he had at the shop, and that one wouldn't work either. :shrug01:

So I'm still waiting for the opportunity to have Greg put one in when I happen to be down that way and he has one in stock. Hopefully my steering wheel won't lock up on me in the meantime.....

I wasn't willing to do the GM mod because the first one needed to reflash the PCM and all that really did was to cut fuel delivery if the signal said the column was still locked and the car was moving more than 2 miles per hour. Thanks GM! That really helped! I believe the latest recall actually removes the lock plate from the steering column, but I haven't had that done. Guess I was waiting for feedback from others who had it done first. Not really a good idea being the first on your block with some things...... :nonod:

spiceman said:

Needless to say, mine's on the way (CLB) . Damn if this isn't a scary thing to have happened. LMAO. Just glad my other C5 doesn't have this problem.
(very late 2001) Wife say's she'll change mine out for me......yea right!!!:lmao:

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My 02 locked several times (with the GM fix-computer was never touched)....so I would not be too sure. I now have the CLB.
I think all C5's and some C6's have this issue

Thanks Yellow,.....you've just changed my mind

As so far as the wife's 2001.
My CLP just came via UPS. will keep ya all advised how the install goes.
But for sure will change out the the 2001 as well.:thumbsup:

NO GO folk's

Installed the by pass CLP and steering column still locked.
Went to 97vette.com for further instruction's, nothing worked.
Pulled fuse 25, cancelled the Service Locked Column, and the Remove Key 10 seconds. But Column still locked.
Pulled fuse 25 and 29............waited a couple minutes, reinserted fuses put key in started the car, column still locked.
Started car, while running pulled fuse 25 let electric pump run out gas. Turned ignition off, reinserted fuse 25, turned ignition back to ON position..........Column still locked.
Ran all codes, cleared computer banks..........disconnected Battery for 5 minutes...............reconnected battery............turned ignition to ON, column still locked.
Haven't given up yet.....will disconnect BCM and report back.:banghead:

I don't think the CLB fixes a locked column, only prevents it from happening.

I've heard that people have been successful getting it free by jerking the wheel violently left and right to free up the mechanism. Do that with the key OUT. I believe they were probably pissed at the time, and surprised when that worked...... :hehehe:

But evidently it HAS worked for a number of people.

Also, in some cases the battery being weak has caused the problem, and replacing the battery fixed the problem.

Rich Z said:

Also, in some cases the battery being weak has caused the problem, and replacing the battery fixed the problem.

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Worked on mine about 30,000 miles ago!! Had the recall done at about 18,000 miles,Column Locked at about 23,000 with a bad battery!!!Replaced the battery and All was well!! 52,500 miles now,haven't had any problems!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I've had a number of battery problems lately and so far (knock on wood) have not had the column lock problem. Generally, what I do is to not even touch the steering wheel after I pull the ignition key or before I start the car. Not sure if that helps, but my thinking is that it would help PREVENT a jammed mechanism if I don't move the steering wheel while it is engaged.

I use an aftermarket steering wheel lock which I always engage before I shut off the ignition, then unlock after the car is started.

Rich Z said:

I don't think the CLB fixes a locked column, only prevents it from happening.

I've heard that people have been successful getting it free by jerking the wheel violently left and right to free up the mechanism. Do that with the key OUT. I believe they were probably pissed at the time, and surprised when that worked...... :hehehe:

But evidently it HAS worked for a number of people.

Also, in some cases the battery being weak has caused the problem, and replacing the battery fixed the problem.

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actually it will unlock a locked column....and it will never lock up again.....8 years on my 99 since the install and no issues since. Did the 02 last year and a week later I got the Sevice Column Lock message...without the CLB I am sure it would have locked up.

spiceman said:

Installed the by pass CLP and steering column still locked.
Went to 97vette.com for further instruction's, nothing worked.
Pulled fuse 25, cancelled the Service Locked Column, and the Remove Key 10 seconds. But Column still locked.
Pulled fuse 25 and 29............waited a couple minutes, reinserted fuses put key in started the car, column still locked.
Started car, while running pulled fuse 25 let electric pump run out gas. Turned ignition off, reinserted fuse 25, turned ignition back to ON position..........Column still locked.
Ran all codes, cleared computer banks..........disconnected Battery for 5 minutes...............reconnected battery............turned ignition to ON, column still locked.
Haven't given up yet.....will disconnect BCM and report back.:banghead:

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did you use the adaptor to power the column lock and unlock it?? You must unlock it first by applying power. I know if you don't follow procedure it won't work. I have an adaptor if you didn't get one. If all else fails there is tons of info on the other board but I have never heard of anyone NOT getting their column unlocked with a CLB....but there is always a first.