I knew it was going to happen.

[wishuwerehere82]

Here's the deal.

Chevy has issued a recall on 97-2001 A4 and M6 Vettes for column locks failing to release when starting the car. The column lock pin fails to disengage from the steering wheel plate and locks the steering wheel in place, also disabling the fuel pump causing the car not to start. The fix for M6 transmission is the Column Lock Bypass, the fix for A4's is the recall installation of the K-Harness by the dealer.

My buddy had his 97 Vette lock up at midnight in a public parking lot and had to have it towed to the dealership.
I waited until it was convenient to get mine fixed, but it could have failed at any time, so I did it by the book.

 

[Heavy Duty]

I thought the fix was just a flash to the puter so that if the lock fails it disables the car. i.e. stops the engine by stopping the fuel pump.

I haven't done the recall yet. i keep getting the cards in the mail from GM telling me that the recall is still outstanding on my car. If all they are going to do is flash the puter so the car cuts off, i'm not going to have it done.

My switch doesn't have any play in it as I can tell. But I'll check it out to day.

H.D.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

The Tech. told me that he installed a Button on the end of the lock pin that doesn't fit through the holes on the plate so the lock is disabled,and installed the K harness, and re-flashed the PCM.
The motor still buzzes, but the wheel doesn't lock. He said he didn't like the idea of the wheel not locking for theft protection.
Well, it's done. So time to move on.
I'm not going to have the seatbelt recall done, it's giving me no problems and I know how to fix it if it does.

 

[Heavy Duty]

I'm not going to have the seatbelt recall done, it's giving me no problems and I know how to fix it if it does.

Seatbelt recall!!!!:confused Haven't heard anything about a seatbelt recall. What years does it effect? What was/is the problem with the seatbelts? Problems with the seatbelts would have me more concerned than the steering wheel lock. Thanks.

H.D.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

If the seat belt gets twisted it will jam in the retractor.
All you have to do is pull it out a lttle at a time and un-twist it.

 

[Robert YellowVette]

The Tech. told me that he installed a Button on the end of the lock pin that doesn't fit through the holes on the plate so the lock is disabled,and installed the K harness, and re-flashed the PCM.
The motor still buzzes, but the wheel doesn't lock. He said he didn't like the idea of the wheel not locking for theft protection.
Well, it's done. So time to move on.
I'm not going to have the seatbelt recall done, it's giving me no problems and I know how to fix it if it does.

The tech is supposed to measure the lockwheel holes and if they are too small, replace the lockwheel. Then flash the PCM for fuel shutoff.

Never heard of the button on the lockpin perhaps you might want to check with the Service Manager that the recall was done correctly by GM's instructions, both for your own peace of mind and future owners.

The idea of a low-level dealer tech 're-engineering' a safety recall on his own worries me, what else didn't he do right...? Pulling the steering wheel is a lot of work, which has to be done to change out the lockwheel if it fails the hole test, perhaps he was 'saving' himself some time at your expense?

In fact GM or the dealer cannot legally remove the lockwheel on a 6-speed since it leaves the car with no theft lock at all, unlike the A4.

Do get this checked out, have them show you the complete recall instructions that come with that kit, please let us know what you discover... =;-]