Column Lock question(Again)

[29north]

I haved a 98 automatic coupe with 9K miles on it and never had the column lock problem. The local dealers service Dept. wants to do the fix next time it is in for service which is soon. Question, do I let them do the fix? I have heard that sometimes it makes it worse.

 

[Patrick]

29North,

Here is a LINK to the Recall Notice (from the CAC Knowledgebase.) The recall affects the following:

MODELS:
CERTAIN 1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND CERTAIN 2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT ONLY.

The only issue associated with the column lock I'm aware of is one which affects manual transmissions- the procedure deletes any programming you've put in place to get around the annoying "1st to 4th" skip (commonly referred to as "Computer Assisted Gear Shift" or CAGS.) As you have an automatic, that shouldn't be an issue for you.

Besides, as this is a recall item, the next time you take it into a dealer, they may simply perform the work anyway. My only suggestion would be to take your '98 to a dealership service dept. you have had positive experiences with before, and that you're confident has a qualified Corvette technician on staff.

-Patrick

 

[Remo]

The only issue associated with the column lock I'm aware of is one which affects manual transmissions- the procedure deletes any programming you've put in place to get around the annoying "1st to 4th" skip (commonly referred to as "Computer Assisted Gear Shift" or CAGS.) As you have an automatic, that shouldn't be an issue for you.


-Patrick

Patrick,

Last year I took mine back to the dealer for the recall. It took about fifteen minutes to fix it and no issues with my CAGS defeat harness. Still works like a charm.

Remo:cool

 

[MsSchroder]

The column lock fix on the manuals probably only affects the skip shift if it was programmed out. Not if it was bypassed at the transmission with the harness thingie.

Well, I just read that link to the recall notice. It supercedes the notice I have in my hand (which I received in July 2004), which also talks about the procedure that is done on autos ("your dealer will remove the column lock"). I wonder why they don't talk about that now? :confused

I would ask your dealer exactly what they will do for "the fix".

I'll probably have it done so they'll quit bugging me, and to get the latest PCM flash.

Tammy

 

[jrose7004]

There seem to be only two types of C5's, ones that have had column lock and those that will!