c4/c5-why do you defend colunm lock issue

[Cobra4B]

Just to add.... if it ever locks up on you try the procedure below before calling for a flatbed. It's worked 2x over 10 years of C5 ownership for me and it's worked for every friend who's called me in a jamb with a locked up column.

When you turn the key to the "on" position w/o starting the car or engaging the starter it sends the signal for the column to unlock (at least that's how it was explained to me).

When the column is locked you can still "jiggle" the steering wheel back and forth (left and right) a little... enough to hit it against the "stops".

So.... take your left hand and place it on the wheel at the 12 o'clock position. Then start (still holding with your left hand) slamming it back and forth against the "stops"... it'll make a "chunk chunk chunk" noise as you do this... do it hard. While you're doing this turn the key to the on position.... the column lock will unstick and you'll save yourself the hassle of a tow.

It just worked last week for the guy who purchased my old 2001 targa Z06... he called me and said he figured I'd know a trick or something.... had him on his way in 2 minutes.

-Brian

[Junkman]

That's a known trick but I think that I've read that it only works once. I've never talked to anyone who has had to do that twice. Usually, they order the CLB cable that day. Gave you ever heard of anyone successfully doing it twice?

[Cobra4B]

I've done it twice.... I never cared to get a CLB knowing I could beat it into submission when needed.

Plus I like the column lock... it comes in handy when torqing the front brake caliper bracket bolts. You can turn the wheel all the way and lock it in place so you can get a good size torque wrench handle passed the fender to get them to 125 ft/lbs.

[motorman]

my personal opinion the problems were caused by the drivers pulling on the steering wheel to help themselves out of the seat after the lock was engaged and binding the pin. i had a 97,99 and a 02 and never had the lock problem. if you replaced the lock plate with one with no holes fix the problem ???

[ROCKnROLL]

The problem is/was it doesn't have a good ground. I ran a ground wire from the ground connectors inside the car to the negative side of the battery under the hood. It has been 18 months and it works like it did when it was new.

[c4c5specialist]

If you have a ground sourcing issue from inside the car, you have MAJOR ISSUES.

50 millivolt is the maximum voltage drop and would create more issues with your BCM than any other module inside the vehicle.

Just remember, BCM ground source and column lock ground source are 2 different circuits depending on year of build.

Allthebest, c4c5

[horvys@yahoo.com]

Had problem after recall repair / dealer found bad relay. Fixed problem

Originally Posted by c4c5specialist

Hi there,

I DO NOT DEFEND, nor do I speak for GM.

#1, column lock entire issue is pathetic to me. Both from GM to the dealerships that work on the car, because they didnt convey correct information. That, in turn, made the customers believe what works is internet 'fixes'.

#2, GM has acknowledged in 2 different recalls and a bunch of TSBs that there was issues so the fact that "GM doesnt have a problem they wont admit to" is false. If they didnt issue these recalls and TSB, I would agree.

#3, each dealership is independently owned and operated franchise, so whatever the dealership tells the customer is not GM telling them they cant fix it or anything else.

#4, Corvette engineering has NEVER EVER denied the problem and has ALWAYS stood behind us technicians to fix these problems.

#5, if the technicians who "cant find a fix" would just simply read GM service information, understand how column lock system works and PAY ATTENTION, the column lock issue would never have gotten as big as it was IMO.

Since 1998, I have kept records of every column lock issue and fix that personally have performed as I keep records for every Corvette I service.

Over 200 recall cars, both 01044A AND 04006A/B/C REVISIONS AND OVER 400 REPAIRED CARS, I know what works and I know how the system works.

If I repair the car per service guidelines, IT WILL be fixed.

I will give you my percentages and what I did to fix them on the repairs.

#1, battery voltage , 88.73% were repaired with either retorqued battery terminals or replaced battery with the correct battery.

#2, column lock actuators, 6.42% were repaired by replacing the actuators because of the internal feedback switches not working correctly.

#3, body control module, 1.04% BCM replacement due to having CLB installed in the vehicle and/or incorrect jump starting procedures.

#4, ignition lock cylinders, 2.81% had feedback switches within the lock cylinders gave the wrong information to the BCM so the column lock wouldnt function correctly.

#5, wiring issues due to either terminal connection or chaffed wires, 1.00%

NOW, my personal opinion means nothing but I will give it to you anyway.

MY OPINION I feel the majority of Corvette service technicians never understood how this system worked and the reason for all the recalls and TSBs were because GM had to ITEMIZE how to repair the column lock system.

FACT:
ANY CORVETTE COLUMN LOCK SYSTEM CAN BE REPAIRED, using the tools and the knowledge in GM service information.

Allthebest, c4c5

EDIT: Also, noone talks about the causes or that there are 5 different wiring schematics for the column lock system from 1997-2004. And I forgot to mention special policy 05081 which fixed any column lock issue to Feb 29, 2008.

[BigJimZ16]

Originally Posted by Junkman

WOW! That's a great post Paul! I wish I could stop rubbing on cars long enough to sit in on your seminars!

Get off the computer and get back to rubbin'...