STEERING COLUMN LOCK - BEWARE
Discussion
Well, I have monitored the dreaded SCL virus on various forums and have been waiting for my recall notice, still not arrived and today while London basked in Sunshine I sat in B & Q car park with the SERVICE COLUMN LOCK showing on DIC, now here’s the story leading up to this situation so you can all make judgements whether to have this recall carried out or not.
We have a 99 C5 (Although not registered or used until 01) which until today has not missed a beat and been totally reliable.
1. Possible first sign of trouble was last week whilst in Le Mans was braking hard for roundabout when engine cut out and lost power steering, brakes, etc put box into N started whilst on move and carried on, no codes or anything on DIC. Car drove back being driven in various speeds & conditions all ok.(Blamed wife for fiddling with spare keys in hand bag)
2. On way back from Nationals (Knebworth) yesterday stopped at M25 Services, on return started engine pulled out and engine cut out, DIC showed pull out key wait 10 seconds, steering lock did not engage, restarted engine all ok (Blamed son well he was in car must have touched something)
3. Today stopped at B & Q Wandsworth, on return started engine all ok put car in reverse started to drive and steering lock came on with car in gear and engine running was able to go backwards and forwards with wheels locked, DIC showed SERVICE STEERING LOCK. Turned engine on of many times lock still engaged, disconnected battery lock still engaged. Called RAC recovery will be there within 2 hours. Spoke to ROB (888USA) suggested the violent procedure of waggling key and steering wheel at same time IT WORKED steering lock went of. Waited 2 hours for RAC cancelled drove to Ian Goss (Corvette Mechanic) who will carry out repair) (No one to blame this time I was on my own, must be the car)
So to summarise had a couple of unusual events then bang out of the blue it went, I thought you was not able to drive if this happened, YOU CAN so be warned get the RECALL done do not wait for it to go wrong.
I shall be writing to GM Europe to enquire why I have not received my recall letter and will post response here.
We have a 99 C5 (Although not registered or used until 01) which until today has not missed a beat and been totally reliable.
1. Possible first sign of trouble was last week whilst in Le Mans was braking hard for roundabout when engine cut out and lost power steering, brakes, etc put box into N started whilst on move and carried on, no codes or anything on DIC. Car drove back being driven in various speeds & conditions all ok.(Blamed wife for fiddling with spare keys in hand bag)
2. On way back from Nationals (Knebworth) yesterday stopped at M25 Services, on return started engine pulled out and engine cut out, DIC showed pull out key wait 10 seconds, steering lock did not engage, restarted engine all ok (Blamed son well he was in car must have touched something)
3. Today stopped at B & Q Wandsworth, on return started engine all ok put car in reverse started to drive and steering lock came on with car in gear and engine running was able to go backwards and forwards with wheels locked, DIC showed SERVICE STEERING LOCK. Turned engine on of many times lock still engaged, disconnected battery lock still engaged. Called RAC recovery will be there within 2 hours. Spoke to ROB (888USA) suggested the violent procedure of waggling key and steering wheel at same time IT WORKED steering lock went of. Waited 2 hours for RAC cancelled drove to Ian Goss (Corvette Mechanic) who will carry out repair) (No one to blame this time I was on my own, must be the car)
So to summarise had a couple of unusual events then bang out of the blue it went, I thought you was not able to drive if this happened, YOU CAN so be warned get the RECALL done do not wait for it to go wrong.
I shall be writing to GM Europe to enquire why I have not received my recall letter and will post response here.
Interesting one Dave. I just took mine to BM and they said the recall had already been done! Even though I had a letter and the previous owner said it was not done. Bizarre. I still hear the pin engage and lock/unlock so I am sure its all ok!!???
So basically you dont need the letter - just get the car to BM if you are going for a service and ask them to look at it... If its done doesnt matter, they will just update the software and you are on your way!
So basically you dont need the letter - just get the car to BM if you are going for a service and ask them to look at it... If its done doesnt matter, they will just update the software and you are on your way!
I've just experienced this on a c5 after the battery had gone flat. I think the car was fine before. The DIC now says service steering lock and on one occasion the lock was engaged and the key had to be pulled for 10 seconds. Now the battery has been charged it seems to be working fine. Just prior to that the rack had been removed and the wiring disconnected at the rack.
Can the code be cleared?
Boosted.
Can the code be cleared?
Boosted.
5USA said:
A weak battery invariably causes all kinds of mayhem in C5 electronics.
Yes, so it would seem. The car had been standing for a week or so before I received it and I suspect the alarm had drained the battery. I haven't heard anything since but was told the battery also went flat when the car was collected from the docks. It wouldn't start using jump leads and a spare battery but would start if you bypassed the flat battery. Me thinks, clever ecu/pcm trickery and black magic is going on.
Of interest, where is the best chassis earth in the engine bay?
Boosted.
yellowshark454 said:
Column lock bypass - the only sure way of knowing you're not going to get stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I forget, is CLB easy to fit?
Yes. Drop the panel under the steering wheel, unplug a connector, plug in the supplied adaptor that unlocks the column, remove adaptor and plug in the CLB which has a self-adhesive pad. Replace lower panel and it's done.
yellowshark454 said:
I forget, is CLB easy to fit?
Have a read of this site - tells you how to do it step by step:
http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html
Think the recall expired July 2003:
1998-2000 Corvette Recall - Corvette Electronic Column Lock
Note: The recall notice below is posted here for reference only. Please contact your local Chevrolet dealer for any potential corrections or updates that may exist for this bulletin.
1998-2000 Corvette Recall
GM Service Operations DCS851
Urgent - Distribute Immediately
Date: September 6, 2001
Subject: 01044A - Customer Satisfaction Campaign Corvette Electronic Column Lock
Models: 1998-2000 Corvette
To: All Chevrolet Dealers
Attn: Service Managers, Parts Managers, and Warranty Administrators
This bulletin supercedes and replaces campaign bulletin 01044 issued July, 2001. The service procedures have been revised along with the schematic for all manual transmission vehicles and export only automatic transmission vehicles. The steering wheel nut part number has been added to the part information table and the part count in the claim table has been adjusted accordingly.
This campaign is in effect through July 01, 2003.
****************************************************
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic column lock may not function as intended. The condition could result in the failure of the steering column to unlock during initial key-in and start-up. Should the column fail to unlock, the engine will stop running if the vehicle starts to move.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952427 for automatic transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada or repair kit PN 88952428 for all manual transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada. For Corvettes sold in all other countries, both manual and automatic, dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952428.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:
YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green W5123355 W5131069
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green X5100001 X5133283
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green Y5100001 Y5116233
IMPORTANT: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.
MAILING INFORMATION
Dealer mailings will begin on September 6, 2001.
GMVIS INFORMATION
GMVIS information is currently available.
GM SERVICE OPERATIONS
1998-2000 Corvette Recall - Corvette Electronic Column Lock
Note: The recall notice below is posted here for reference only. Please contact your local Chevrolet dealer for any potential corrections or updates that may exist for this bulletin.
1998-2000 Corvette Recall
GM Service Operations DCS851
Urgent - Distribute Immediately
Date: September 6, 2001
Subject: 01044A - Customer Satisfaction Campaign Corvette Electronic Column Lock
Models: 1998-2000 Corvette
To: All Chevrolet Dealers
Attn: Service Managers, Parts Managers, and Warranty Administrators
This bulletin supercedes and replaces campaign bulletin 01044 issued July, 2001. The service procedures have been revised along with the schematic for all manual transmission vehicles and export only automatic transmission vehicles. The steering wheel nut part number has been added to the part information table and the part count in the claim table has been adjusted accordingly.
This campaign is in effect through July 01, 2003.
****************************************************
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic column lock may not function as intended. The condition could result in the failure of the steering column to unlock during initial key-in and start-up. Should the column fail to unlock, the engine will stop running if the vehicle starts to move.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952427 for automatic transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada or repair kit PN 88952428 for all manual transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada. For Corvettes sold in all other countries, both manual and automatic, dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952428.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:
YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green W5123355 W5131069
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green X5100001 X5133283
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green Y5100001 Y5116233
IMPORTANT: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.
MAILING INFORMATION
Dealer mailings will begin on September 6, 2001.
GMVIS INFORMATION
GMVIS information is currently available.
GM SERVICE OPERATIONS
Corsette said:
YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green W5123355 W5131069
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green X5100001 X5133283
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green Y5100001 Y5116233
Mine is a 98 starting W511... Does that mean it's not affected ??
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