More Proof GM Col Lock fix is NG

[LLC5]

I noticed on another forum that your first dealer did perform the recall correctly. That changes everything. If the first dealer is willing to help you on reimbersement for the actuator, then that is probably your best way to go for now. Let GMPP know the recall was done properly. Maybe they will cover it.

 

[EHS]

I noticed on another forum that your first dealer did perform the recall correctly. That changes everything. If the first dealer is willing to help you on reimbersement for the actuator, then that is probably your best way to go for now. Let GMPP know the recall was done properly. Maybe they will cover it.

LLC5 --

Here's the update to your question above from the other forum:

Ok, I have had about enough.
First, for EHS post, lets be clear about this post, so everyone knows.
I AM DEALER #1. I performed the column lock recall, while you were watching. I did NYCHASM at the same time, including functional tests on both, at least 3 months ago.
That is the end of the recall as performed.
You probably have a bad actuator, which is not uncommon.
However, because you are down there, and I am in CT, there is not alot that can be done here because another dealership "doesnt have time for this", which was the exact quote from the service manager to mine.
My manager spent at least an hour attempting to rectify the condition, to no avail so far.
I was there in his office, so I know the calls made to our zone representative, the other dealership and others.
So with that in mind, I am sorry for your dealership service in NY, however that has NO bearing on the service that I provided to you, in a timely manner.
Allthebest, c4c5

"Paul -- I unfortunately have to disagree with you on several points.

1. NYCHASM (Charlie) was never at your dealership with me, and the recall was never performed on his car. He has confirmed that, and still gets notices from Chevy to have the recall performed.

Besides, given that he has a supercharger on his car, and the recall calls for a reprogram of the PCM, I doubt he would have been able to drive it home, given the custom programming that Vette Doctors did.

2. My recall was perfomed on June 17th, less than three months ago. Half an hour of tech time was charged.

3. I did not "watch" you doing the work, I was down the block at the local deli getting a bacon and egg sandwich while you replaced the belts on the car (0.50 tech time as well). You may recall that your new dealership, unlike the old, does not allow customers into the service bay.

As I quoted above, the recall lists "On 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."

All I wanted to know from this post, given that I was in and out of your dealership so quickly, was, was the lock plate clearance inspected, since the dealer where the car is now stuck claims that was not done, and, had it been done, the actuator would not have failed. That was claimed by that dealer in two separate phone calls to GM and Chevy, one of which I was personally on.

As you know, I have alsways been a strong supporter of you and your work (as well as you persoanlly), which is why I reguarlly drive the 70 plus miles to your dealership, even for an oil change. And, I don't even agree with the other dealership's conclusions, because, quite frankly, I trust your judgment more.

But, given that you were mistaken that you performed the recall on Charlie's car, do you remember whether the lock plate clearance was an issue on mine?"

_______________

And see also my post #14 above is the start of the thread from the same forum.

Again, I have the utmost confidence in Paul's work, and I appreciate that the service manager at his dealership has offered to see if he could get some reimbursement from Chevy for the work.

 

[EHS]

The end (?) of the story

THE UPDATE AS PROMISED

$200 flat charge to the customer to install the following parts:
88965331 Lock
88952428 Wire Kit
26056108 Nut
See below whether these parts were required.

Partial Text of Recall 01044A - September 6, 2001
(Note -- this was later superceeded -- see below)

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.

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
_______________
Note the VIN number of my car
The most current recall (applicable text only):

GMP04-112 - 04006A - Electronic Column Lock System
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.

PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL #04006A - DATED: JULY 26, 2004

NOTE: THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04006, ISSUED APRIL 2004... ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 04006 SHOULD BE DESTROYED.

...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.
Dealers are to remove the column lock plate on U.S. and Canadian vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. After the service
correction, the steering column will no longer lock when the key is removed.

On 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.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle
88952427 Harness Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk Shorting (automatics except export vehicles) 1
88952428 Wire Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk (1998-2000 manuals & export automatics) 1 (If Req'd)
26056108 Nut, Strg Whl 1 (If Req'd)
26094767 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (manuals except exports) 1 (If Req'd)
88964588 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (export) 1 (If Req'd)
05694191 Ring, Strg Shf Lk Plt Ret 1 (If Req'd)
_______________

So, if I read this correctly, I now have a $200 "repair" that, according to the recall is not required.

Chevrolet Customer Service and GM Executive Offices have both stated they will not reimburse or intervene on the customer's behalf.

Fortunately, and I would like to give credit, the original dealer has agreed to try and get me reimbursement, and will also look at the car now that it is driveable again.Thank you Jay and c4c5specialist.

I guess I now have a unique C5, one that on the other hand will not pass a Bloomington Gold judge's careful eye (and ear). Be careful -- yours may be next.

 

[LLC5]

Glad you got your car back. Did the actuator get replaced, or just the lock plate removed, and a relay? It sounds like the #2 dealer created some unneeded problems. BTW, is this an automatic or a 6spd?

 

[EHS]

It's a six speed.

I have no idea what they replaced ("lock") based on the parts above, but I know the wire harness doesn't go with my MN6 and my VIN number (see above). I went in, paid the bill, and got out of there.

 

[mvvette97]

So should I have the recall done or just get a bypass?

 

[MsSchroder]

So should I have the recall done or just get a bypass?

First, some questions:

1. Is it a manual or automatic? (I'm not even sure what the procedure is for automatics- the wording of the original recall has been changed, and it does not seem to specify)
2. Do you like having the theft-deterrent feature of the column lock, assuming it works correctly (and unlocks for you?), or does it make no difference
3. Is your car part of the recall campaign, or is it affected by this TSB? (click)
4. Do you have a custom tune (predator, ls1Edit, etc)?

Tammy

 

[mvvette97]

First, some questions:

1. Is it a manual or automatic? (I'm not even sure what the procedure is for automatics- the wording of the original recall has been changed, and it does not seem to specify)
2. Do you like having the theft-deterrent feature of the column lock, assuming it works correctly (and unlocks for you?), or does it make no difference
3. Is your car part of the recall campaign, or is it affected by this TSB? (click)
4. Do you have a custom tune (predator, ls1Edit, etc)?

Tammy

Mine is an auto. I don't care if it has the lock or not. I'd rather it didn't. I also do have a superchips tune in it. GM told me I could bring it in and they would do the recall but I heard that there has been problems after it's been done.

 

[MsSchroder]

I asked about the tune because on manuals, part of the recall is to reflash the PCM. That will wipe out a custom tune.

For automatics, I honestly don't know what the recall involves. When I received my recall notice in July 2004, it stated that for automatics, the column lock mechanism would be removed. Now, the recall that supercedes mine, that I found in our Tech Center, doesn't say what the procedure is on automatics. There are other bulletins that seem to indicate there is a kit to fix the column lock. It is rather confusing.

It is my understanding that installing the column lock bypass is less invasive than actually fixing the column lock mechanism. Someone more technical may come along and straighten me out on that though.

I would say that if you don't care about whether it ever locks again, get the bypass kit and be done with it. The only other consideration is that if you ever sell it, it will probably show up as not having had the recall addressed. Don't know if you care about that.

I'd like to hear from others. This is always a hot topic.

 

[Big Beer]

Had the recall done on my 1999 A-4 C5 Convertible last year.
This month the DIC started to show "Service Column Lock"; it was drivable, just annoying having to clear the alarm on the DIC.

Took it to dealer and it needed a new relay for the Column Lock
Dealer had it for three days waiting on Parts.

Got it back this week. Seems to be fixed, No Charge for the Column Lock Service.

Unable to view the service ticket with details and part numbers, as the wife picked it up from the dealer, and I am currently away from home.

I am running a Predator tune (or was...will check if they reflashed the car).

Cheers
Beer

 

[mvvette97]

I have heard about the bypass. Is it somthing that I could install? I used to work at a mechanic shop and I always have done all my own work on my cars. I have worked on just about everything but didn't know if this would exceed my mechanical limits.

 

[MsSchroder]

I have heard about the bypass. Is it somthing that I could install? I used to work at a mechanic shop and I always have done all my own work on my cars. I have worked on just about everything but didn't know if this would exceed my mechanical limits.

mvvette97,
I have spent the last 2 hours reading threads on various forums about this subject. I found that there is some question about the CLB kit- and whether it can cause problems with your BCM. C4C5Specialist has taken the position that the CLB kit is to be avoided because of this. However, there are many others who have installed the CLB and are satisfied. There are a few others who have experienced problems.

This is a link to the thread that I read. It is very interesting, and yet unsettling, because there does not seem to be a good answer.

There also seems to be an indication that earlier models- 97 and 98- are not particularly good candidates for the CLB.

I honestly do not know what is a good solution. I hope that C4C5Specialist weighs in- it has been a while since his earlier posts against the CLB.

To answer your question- is it something that you could install- here are a few links to installation guides. Link 1 Link 2 This is more of a procedure than I wanted to undertake, but I'm not very good mechanically. I think someone with mechanical experience would not have a problem.

I advise you to research fully before making a decision.

Tammy

 

[mvvette97]

mvvette97,
I have spent the last 2 hours reading threads on various forums about this subject. I found that there is some question about the CLB kit- and whether it can cause problems with your BCM. C4C5Specialist has taken the position that the CLB kit is to be avoided because of this. However, there are many others who have installed the CLB and are satisfied. There are a few others who have experienced problems.

This is a link to the thread that I read. It is very interesting, and yet unsettling, because there does not seem to be a good answer.

There also seems to be an indication that earlier models- 97 and 98- are not particularly good candidates for the CLB.

I honestly do not know what is a good solution. I hope that C4C5Specialist weighs in- it has been a while since his earlier posts against the CLB.

To answer your question- is it something that you could install- here are a few links to installation guides. Link 1 Link 2 This is more of a procedure than I wanted to undertake, but I'm not very good mechanically. I think someone with mechanical experience would not have a problem.

I advise you to research fully before making a decision.

Tammy

Hey thanks. I'm goint to a big GM dealer in the morning to get an alignment so I can also ask them. They sell alot of corvettes.

 

[EHS]

Final UPDATE on my particular situation

Since so many people post complaints without ever posting a successful resolution, I thought I would post this.

You may have seen my comments earlier in this thread here about the problem with my column lock recall performed by one dealer, the subsequent stranding, the incredibly bad service from the second dealer near where I broke down, etc., etc.

In short, I wasn't getting anywhere with the local dealer. Chevy customer service was a joke, the GMPP telephone guys were obstinate if professional, complaints to the BBB useless, to the NY State AG's office may have ultimately worked, but it was finally a phone call to Ken Fichtner (from whom I bought my GMPP extended warranty) where I finally saw results.

That, and the service manager at the first dealership (c4c5 specialist's) also trying to work with GM to get a resolution.

Ken put me in touch with the right person at GMPP, and thanks to his and Jay Antonucci's efforts, my incorrectly charged deductible was fully refunded and transportation charges covered.

It's a shame that it took all this effort and time, but it's also good to know that there are still people like Ken Fichtner, Jay Antonucci, and the head of GMPP that are professional and provide customer service the old fashioned way.

For once on the forum, a GM customer service story with a happy ending.

 

[MsSchroder]

I'm glad you got it resolved. Thanks for following up.

Tammy

 

[mvvette97]

I had my recall done today but my column lock is still working. Is that normal?

 

[EHS]

If it's a manual, yes.

If it's an automatic, no.

Here's a link with detailed information -- probably more than you will ever want to know: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1015483&forum_id=1

 

[mvvette97]

If it's a manual, yes.

If it's an automatic, no.

Here's a link with detailed information -- probably more than you will ever want to know: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1015483&forum_id=1

mine is an automatic. I don't think they removed the lock plate.

 

[JWasageshik]

Dealer/Column lock grief

There is some consolation in knowing I am not alone.

I took my car to the local dealer twice to have the CLB done, they kept the car all day both times and returned it to me with a note that the work was not done "didn't have the correct parts". Both times I made an appointment a week in advance, second time I spoke to the service department, told them specifically which car I had and they put me on hold for almost ten minutes while they checked their stock. The third time I tried to have the work done they told me their records showed the recall had already been done!!! It took six months, multiple telephone calls to the dealer and to GM customer care (complaints) 800-222-1020 and a lot of ranting on my part to get the work done. No charge except lost time from work.

Have had no problems with the steering lock since.

For anyone who has not had the CLB done here is how to unlock the steering column yourself. I had lots of pratice before the recall work was finally done. I have a manual, I don't know if this works with automatics.

Grab the steering wheel on the right side with your left hand and pull down hard while turning the key. Don't yank or try to slam the steering down, just a firm steady pull. It may take a few seconds to release.

To avoid have it lock up...make sure the steering wheel (wheels) are straight before you turn off the car, it may be just coincidence but seems to work.