Column lock problem AFTER car was wrecked!

[c5blackvert]

O.K., I purchased my pristine 2000 black on black 6spd convert September of 04 with 16k miles on it, other than routine oil changes (every 4 months which was between 500- 1000 miles) and a set of rubber I have had no problems whatsoever....NEVER in for service! Well....October 5th of last year I sent it up the street for a fall detail. When I went back to pick it up to my horror, they ran it into the wallhnoes I wont get into details:bash but.......14k later I am still having issues. Well I was able to "limp" it back to my place of buisness. Their insurance company came out gave a preliminary estimate and sent a flat bed to take it to the body shop. when the car was taken off I recieved a call from the body shop asking "is there a trick to unlocking the steering column"? Never having had an issue I said "never had a problem". The car was then towed to the local chevrolet dealership and the column lock was replaced 541.00, the ins. company paid for it. When the car was finally complete I went to pick it up, started it and took off and yes, it shut off "remove key for 10 seconds". I called the chevy dealer and told them about it to which they said bring it in. They had it for a week and couldn't "find any codes or problems". I took the car home......being winter in a Chicago burb I didnt drive the car much.....weather got nice and I started to drive and randomly got the "remove key", took it back and they couldnt find anything....FINALLY about 6 weeks ago (in my garage) I got the "column lock" message.....YES, now they have to find it!!! It was flatbedded there where the tech unplugged the module and "couldnt find a code"....they had it for a week and couldn't make it happen again, I went to pick it up....as soon as I put the key in "remove key" came up! They called Chevy and said "we'll see if they have any ideas, I took the car home. The chevrolet dealer is blaming the accident (even though they can't find a problem") the ins. company is blaming the body shop and the dealer.....and I am stuck with diagnosis 'till it is found. Well I was out of town (100 miles away) last weekend and one of my kids took it to get some fireworks and they got a "column lock"! Da#n (by the way, as long as I NEVER remove the key from the ignition I wont get the message, they took the key out). I had it towed to a dealer there and they replaced the module and harness (GM warrantied it), I told them NOTHING of the accident and they didn't know that the lock and harness had been replaced last November since it was "customer pay" they swore "it is good to go", I went picked it up and for the rest of the day was fine....got home with a big grin on my face! Myself and my wife decide to go out to eat, put the key in and "remove key for 10 seconds"......;helpad
O.K. so now after being so long winded a couple of questions

1) with the typical GM column lock "issue" if you leave the key in the ignition does it not EVER throw the code

2)Why did I NEVER have a problem until the impact happened from the accident, what could have caused it? Once again, no issues until the impact, a short or ground is the only other thing that makes sence.....HELP!!!!!! And thanks in advance

 

[gmjunkie]

Try cleaning the key contacts and the contacts in the Ignition switch!!I've repaired Lots of them after a Collision,Never had a problem!!
But then again,I've never repaired one that had some Slimmy Ham Fisted Grugan at a Detail shop crash it!! If it was my car they Crashed into a wall and did $14,000 in Damages,They would OWN it Now,or there would be 1 Giant Can of A$$ Whopping Opened!!!!!

 

[c5blackvert]

Try cleaning the key contacts and the contacts in the Ignition switch!!I've repaired Lots of them after a Collision,Never had a problem!!
But then again,I've never repaired one that had some Slimmy Ham Fisted Grugan at a Detail shop crash it!! If it was my car they Crashed into a wall and did $14,000 in Damages,They would OWN it Now,or there would be 1 Giant Can of A$$ Whopping Opened!!!!!

I've used both keys just in case and the same result, yes, almost got arrested while I was there, but that story is for another day......the only thing I can deduct is a short or ground! Why is it O.K. with the key not removed?

 

[c5blackvert]

Doesn't look bad but 7 hours frame damage

 

[gmjunkie]

I've used both keys just in case and the same result, yes, almost got arrested while I was there, but that story is for another day......the only thing I can deduct is a short or ground! Why is it O.K. with the key not removed?

Like I said,I've repaired Lot's after a Collision and never had a problem!!! I sent a PM to Paul "c4c5specialist " with a link to this thread!!

 

[c5blackvert]

My e addy is surfinrt66@aol.com if you have any ideas......so you telling me to remove the lock and clean it? It was replaced in November....

 

[gmjunkie]

My e addy is surfinrt66@aol.com if you have any ideas......so you telling me to remove the lock and clean it? It was replaced in November....

No,Not remove the switch, but I would try to clean the key and the Contacts in the Ignition Tumblers!! Alls it takes is just a Little of that Slime Crap that detail shops use on the key or in the switch,And things just can't get a Good connection!!!

 

[c5blackvert]

I am at my dealership now, and the car is here, going to try it now....thanks!

 

[c5blackvert]

Nope......cleaned key w/contact cleaner and the sprayed in the ignition cylindar and "remove key for 10 seconds"....:W

 

[c5blackvert]

If I get "column locked" is there a way for me to clear it?

 

[XLR8]

c5blackvert... !! You've come to the right place for help. GMJunkie sent a message to c4c5specialist and between the two of them there's an encyclopedia's worth of Corvette information nearby.

Doesn't look bad but 7 hours frame damage

It looks bad enough!! If I'd left my Corvette to be detailed and it looked like that when I picked it up, I'd definitely have been arrested that day. :bash And I'm not normally a violent person.

Hopefully the guys will get you headed in the right direction soon!
Jane Ann

 

[bwing]

No,Not remove the switch, but I would try to clean the key and the Contacts in the Ignition Tumblers!! Alls it takes is just a Little of that Slime Crap that detail shops use on the key or in the switch,And things just can't get a Good connection!!!

Hi Junk,

I asked you about this same problem a few months ago. I tried doing all that's been suggested and even replaced the battery with an Optima and the "Pull key, wait 10 secs" msg still occasionally pops up.

I was later told to install a CLB which would take care of it. My question: Do I need to put the steering column back to original (replace the locking plate) for the CLB to work? It has had the "service bulletin" work done to it already.

Thanks again.....Brian

 

[gmjunkie]

Hi Junk,

I asked you about this same problem a few months ago. I tried doing all that's been suggested and even replaced the battery with an Optima and the "Pull key, wait 10 secs" msg still occasionally pops up.

I was later told to install a CLB which would take care of it. My question: Do I need to put the steering column back to original (replace the locking plate) for the CLB to work? It has had the "service bulletin" work done to it already.

Thanks again.....Brian

Sorry Brian,I don't know the answer!!Both of my C5's do it once in a great while,Both have had the recalls done,and neither have ever left me in a Parking Lot!!When they do it I clean my keys and switch and they don't do it again for months!!I've repaired several from collision,some Whacked purdy hard!! But I've never had one lock the column up!! I've never had any experience with a CLB,I generally don't bypass anything,my GAGS is even still in place!!

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Ok, first, make sure your battery is good, meaning 12.5 volts minimum before you start the vehice. Have it tested to be SURE.
CL issues mostly stem from low battery reserve voltage when cranking.
Now, if thats ok, disconnect the negative battery cable for 3 mins with the KEY OUT of the ignition.
Once reconnected, torque the battery bolt to 11 ft lbs and reevaluate the condition and tell us what you see.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[c5blackvert]

HI there,
Ok, first, make sure your battery is good, meaning 12.5 volts minimum before you start the vehice. Have it tested to be SURE.
CL issues mostly stem from low battery reserve voltage when cranking.
Now, if thats ok, disconnect the negative battery cable for 3 mins with the KEY OUT of the ignition.
Once reconnected, torque the battery bolt to 11 ft lbs and reevaluate the condition and tell us what you see.
Allthebest, c4c5

I'll check that but I had a new delco put in August of last year, I am assuming it is still good, the lights a night do dim once in a while when a relay goes on and off....I'll have to do it tomorrow, car is in the garage......Just a Q, mine never gives the message if I leave the key in.....it is giving me a u1255 code whick is telling me a communication error fromthe drivers seat module

 

[c5blackvert]

c5blackvert... !! You've come to the right place for help. GMJunkie sent a message to c4c5specialist and between the two of them there's an encyclopedia's worth of Corvette information nearby.



It looks bad enough!! If I'd left my Corvette to be detailed and it looked like that when I picked it up, I'd definitely have been arrested that day. :bash And I'm not normally a violent person.

Hopefully the guys will get you headed in the right direction soon!
Jane Ann

Thanks xlr8, I have a 11500.00 Diminished value offer from their insurance company to make me "go away" but once accepted they are doNe paying claims....maybe I'll just leave the key in it FOREVER!:L

 

[Robert12]

boy, what a awful thing to happen to your car. Good luck.

Bob

 

[LLC5]

Thanks xlr8, I have a 11500.00 Diminished value offer from their insurance company to make me "go away" but once accepted they are doNe paying claims....maybe I'll just leave the key in it FOREVER!:L

Do not sign off on anything until all the problems are repaired properly.

I was fighting the same situtation for over two years (without the accident scenerio, that is), pull key wait 10 sec's and car dies. Mine acted up at the dealership after repairs, no codes etc, but car wouldn't move. They replaced the relay multiple times, same problem. Finally I had the coulmn lock actuator replaced, and problem solved. This may or may not be the problem you have (definately have the battery properly load tested first), but it is a moving part in the column lock system, and they do go bad

 

[c5blackvert]

the actuator was replaced in november when it came off the flatbed at the body shop

 

[LLC5]

the actuator was replaced in november when it came off the flatbed at the body shop

Ok, scratch that guess. Batterys do go bad after sitting for a length of time, hopefully that is it. If not a qualified tech with a Tech 2 scanner, and an active problem, should be able to tell which direction to proceed. Good luck with it.