How many C5 owners are competely fed up with the C5 Corvette steering column lock malfunction that plagues all of us? Why is it a repair that we have to pay for when GM's poor design is to blame? Speak your mind!
There already has been a recall for this problem a while back, My 03 Z has already been fixed for free
Subject: GMP06-029 - 05081 Special Policy Adjustment - Electronic Column Lock System
MODELS:
1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION 1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT VEHICLES ONLY
DESCRIPTION: PRODUCT SAFETY #04006C DATED: FEBRUARY 8, 2006 IMPORTANT:
THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04006B, ISSUED NOVEMBER 2004. THE SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR U.S. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REVISED. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NEW INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY.
ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 04006B SHOULD BE DESTROYED.
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1997-2004 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. When you remove the ignition key, the electronic column lock (ECL) system prevents turning of the steering wheel. When the vehicle is started, it unlocks the steering. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving:
1. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started, the fuel supply will be shut off if the driver tries to move the vehicle. If voltage at the powertrain control module is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering is locked. 2. During quick cranks, the ECL lock pin may not withdraw fully and, in vehicles where there is abnormally low clearance to the lock plate, there may be contact between the pin and lock plate. This can cause a noise or ratcheting when the steering wheel is turned or, if there is insufficient clearance, the steering wheel cannot be turned.
If one of these conditions occurs, a crash could occur without warning.
CORRECTION: Dealers are to remove the column lock plate on U.S. and Canadian vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and U.S. vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. After the service correction, the steering column will no longer lock when the key is removed.
On Canadian and export vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, and export vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, Dealers are to 1) reprogram the PCM, and 2) verify there is adequate lock plate clearance and, if necessary, replace the lock plate. After the service correction, the steering column will continue to lock when the key is removed.
Refer to the Product Safety Bulletin #04006C for further information.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Owner mailing is scheduled to begin February 15, 2006.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO – Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO – Customer Special Order.
Hello, I did the replacement myself... Don't trust our local dealers in this area... They balk at doing recalls because they don't make any money. I've been a mechanic for 32 years anyway. It was no big task. I know my C-5 inside and out. There are sooo many recalls on the C-5... Folks need to research them...seat belt, gas gauge,sterring lock... Have a good ride, Fatboy.
Had the recall done (twice). Just went in again and the dealer socked it to me and charged $400 +, stating it wasn't related to the recall. When asked 'How many column lock modules do you typically have to replace'...they replied 'Not many, just on the C5'. GM did not support me. Not very happy at the moment. Wish I had installed the bypass from the onset.
Help!? Regarding the "bypass" on the C5 ...do you think it is so easy even a girl can install?? Also, could you please tell me where you buy this item? Wonder if it would even fix my problem now. Have a 2000 Automatic C5. Been repaired for "service steering columb" in 2001, 2004 & 2006. Yesterday is now the third time its has been towed in for this...I thought this nightmare was over when they removed my locking plate in 06. Now it doesnt lock but still reads the same @!#X thing "Service Steering Columb" the fuel is cut off and the car dies when try to move at all (just like the 06 recall says)! The dealer says they can't cover it since they already did the 06 recall work on it. I called & complained to GM...they said they will see what they can find out and call me back on Friday (I called them Tuesday)! They said if I could wait it would be better not to have it fixed until they call me back. Meantime my Corvette is sitting at the dealers till then. Scarry Halloween...The Nightmare Contiues! Thanks for any help, Karen
My 99 locked up on me and we had it towed in and they fixed it for free because it was a recall, now my 07 had a "Bulletin" they call it not a "Recall" on the rear end they put the wrong fliud in some of them and they start making an awful gringing sound and we've had it replaced twice now and still waiting to see if its been fixed, keeping my fingers crossed. My 04 is fine, so far so good...
My C5 Coupe 1998 has only 6K miles and still dont have that problem, but I already bought the CLB to be prepared.. I installed laste year for a C5 coupe 1997 and was too easy.
I just had my c5 towed in for the THIRD steering column lock malfunction in 3 years!!!!! I am needless to say damn near postal!!!! The first time it happened to me I was told that my car had already been fixed,...so no help from GM,..The second time I complained loudly and they paid for 500.00 of a 750.00 bill. Gauranteed in words......"Don't trust them":(.... They said it is fixed now and won'thappen again,... Well last thursday it happened again,....Again GM is not wanting to pay the full price,....Why Do we NEED our steering column to lock?? At this point I am hoping someone will steal this piece of junk... Why does the steering column need to lock??? Why would anyone buy from me a Vette that may or may not steer every other year or so??? Should they not buy me a NEW car that is NOT programmed to possibly kill me???
I am interested in hearing from others.... I want to go after GM In a class action or even possible wrongfull death suit.... I hear of no other cars where the steering can lock suddenly ....this is insane that Gm can get away with this and pay only partial fixes!
Thanks for this post. I had this problem with my 2001 C5 just the other day. I jiggled the column and it started up ok. This has happened before. I had no idea there was a recall on this. I've had other serious problems with my Vette and even had to have the motor rebuilt (blow back problem) under warranty. This is a car that cost a lot of money new. I wrote to GM three times about my problems with the car and never recevied any response of any kind whatsoever. Sometimes (especially when my car was in the shop more thanit was out) it makes me feel like I've been duped.
I have never been as dissapointed in the corporate response or the overall organizational honesty of almost anything I've ever bought. The Corvette is supposed to be one of GMs signature automobiles. It is also one of its most expensive. You would think that they would handle Vette customers like the ambassors for the brand they could easily be if they were treated right.
I'm handy with a wrench and can do most things that don't require a lift or complex diagnostic machinery..but at this price? I'll probably keep my Vette til I can afford a Porsche but the hassels of ownership and, the unresponsiveness and dishonesty of GM (not adequately publicizing recalls or CSBs) are enough to stop me from ever buying a new GM product of any kind, ever again.
Thanks for the informative post. Thank goodness for other Corvette owners like all of you for looking out for each other. Keep it up!
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