Service column lock message

[Mr Cool]

A friend in our club is having this problem with his 05.

Twice in a week at about 35,950 miles my otherwise trouble free yellow MN6 coupe would not start and the DIC displayed "Service Steering Column Lock". Both times it was after sitting (in the Florida) sun for several hours with the windows up. The first time after leaving the car open for about 20 minutes to cool down, the car started right up. The second time it started only after I disconnected and reconnected the battery. So, with 35,995 miles I took it to the local Chevy dealer. They let it set in the sun with the windows up. Bingo, no start. They replaced the steering column lock module and said it worked fine. However, when I went to pick it up a few hours later they could not get it to start. They said no errors were noted on the DIC, no codes were set, and the battery voltage was good. So they still have it. I checked on All Data and see there are only column lock TSBs for the C6. The battery is one year old.

Any thoughts?

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Well, there are many issues that could cause a no start.
First, does the engine crank over but not start running?
Or are you getting a no cranking condition.
Did you get service column lock the second time or just a no start.
No errors and no codes huh? Did any control module show a NO COMM??
It would be suggested to get more exact details.
But shooting from the hip, starter enable relay??
And the steering column lock does not have any bearing on the starter enable relay, so therein, it would be suggested to look at BOTH systems.
Allthebest, c4c5

[Mr Cool]

A little more info.

The car will not crank when the problem occurs. The dealer has now replaced the BCM and returned the car to the customer. They say no codes and no No Comm when the car failed to crank the second time at the dealership also no message in the DIC. Yesterday sitting in the hot sun at our car show the problem reocccured, it would not crank and the DIC said service column lock. The windows were opened to let it cool off inside the battery negative was removed as the interior cooled off. When it was reconnected the car started.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Ok, are there any aftermarket accessories on the vehicle?
We will do some research and post later in the week.
Allthebest, c4c5

[Mr Cool]

To the best of my recollection there are no aftermarket accessories. Also I was wondering if he had the power steering column and uses the easy exit feature. Maybe some chaffed wires? I'll check.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
There are no PI or TSB on any condition related to heat creating this condition.
However, a few things that might be suggested, is to verify that there are communications between all control modules and that you HEAR the column lock engage when you turn the car off.
Please keep us posted, c4c5

[Mr Cool]

When the car is working normally the column lock actuator did engage and disengage normally. Now the dealership has replaced the actuator and the car returned to the customer. So far it's been two weeks and no more issues.
Guess we shall see if this fixes it.

Thanks

[C6Maverick]

How's this going for you? Any more instances?
My 2005 C6 has the same issue of not cranking unless I disconnect/reconnect the battery.

[Mr Cool]

No more problems.

[C6Maverick]

I've always assumed that the steering column actuator was at fault due to the same issue was occurring on my 98 C5 and once replaced, good to go. Hopefully I can persuade the dealer that this is the issue. They seem to follow a policy of no code, no problem. I'll need to look at my extended warranty again, because the generic answer from dealerships is the they cannot act unless a code is displayed.