Really dumb question - need quick response

[Baldie88]

This is a really dumb question but I'm looking at a pewter 2000 at the local Lexus dealer. The battery was dead and when we jumped and started it, the display says "service (or check) steering lock". I'm thinking it has something to do with losing power. Anyway there's no manual in the car and no one knows how to clear this. Steering wheel is locked even when running and in gear. Tried everything I could think of.

Would appreciate a quick response from any of you C5 owners. I'd like to get back there today and drive it. You can respond to this thread or email me at "hagenow1@knology.net". I'll be on the website for a while.

Thank.

Ron
"Baldie88"

 

[Baldie88]

I just did a search and found out this is a big problem with C5s. Looks like I won't drive it today. Don't know what the dealer is going to do because it will be difficult to get a wrecker in there if he has to tow it to the Chevy dealer. I looked at the TB in the Knowledgebase and the VIN on the car is outside the recall range. So I don't know what to do. Any idea is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Baldie88,

Don't buy the car - especially since the VIN is outside of the repair range by Chevrolet.

My 1999 C5 coupe was immobilized by a defective column lock while my wife and I were out-of-state on vaction.

You will regret buying a car with a known defect that can strand you anytime.

 

[Baldie88]

Thanks for the info. I called the dealer back and told him he'll have to work with the Chevy dealer to get it fixed. Told him to call me when it gets repaired. He's going to have to do something because no only is going to be able to drive the car until it gets fixed. It's really a sweet car. Pewter with black interior and black convertible top for $38K. Not a mark on it. 15K miles. Hopefully something will work out. I'm really checking this out for my brother in Chicago. He's in the process of selling his 82 and this is exactly what he wants.

 

[Spiderman]

One of my best friends had a '98 coupe with a rap sheet a few pages long. It went to the dealer for service 33 times. It had less than 30,00 miles on it and the dealership refused to declare it a Lemon. The steering column locked up on him on the highway doing about 60 mph. not fun. The wheel unlocked and the car went into "limp home" mode and wouldn't do over 30 mph. He ttraded it in. I would be very cautious looking at C5's.

Spiderman

 

[vigman]

Here's a thought...

Print all the bad new's post here about ALL the bad stuff....might give you some leverage to grind down the $$$$$$ to pay to get that all fixed PROPERLY!




Vig!

 

[John L]

Is the car an MN6 or an A4? Chevrolet performed the recall on my 2000 A4 coupe for the electronic steering column lock problem at no charge to me, even though my VIN was outside the recall range and the car was out of warranty.

You can probably get the column to unlock by withdrawing the key from the ignition, violently wrenching the steering wheel right and left a few times, reinserting the key into the ignition and turning it on (do not start the car). You should hear the column lock disengage. Now start the car and drive normally. This method worked for me several times after mine locked and before the recall kit was installed. By the way, once the recall kit is installed on the automatic cars, the steering wheel no longer locks. You can move it freely from side to side with the ignition locked and the key withdrawn.

 

[c4vette92]

i believe chevy will fix it, is the car under warranty?
i have a 2000 a4 with 30 k miles and its trouble free. any thing i have ask to been done under warranty was done with no questions.
i asked the dealer to look at the weather striping on the rear hatch because it didn't look nice, it didn't leak, they replaced it that same day , NO PROBLEM was the attitude of my dealer.
i also did not buy the car from them. i will the next time !
will good luck on your search, also have a carfax done, it can't hurt.
what is the dealer asking for the car ? stw

 

[Baldie88]

Thanks to everyone for your response. Did some research and the VIN is outside those in the recall. I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow and lean on him to get it fixed without charge. Car's only got 15XXX miles and is perfect in every way (it's an A4 for those that asked). He's asking $38K which is a little cheap with what Kelly BB has but a little high for what Edmund's has. The dealer's got to do something even if we don't get it because right now it can't be moved anywhere. It's displayed on grass in front of his dealership. Can't go forward because of a ditch and can't go backwards because of a large curb. I've been doing the research for him to fix the problem so maybe fate will smile. and we'll get it. From other threads I've read, this seemed to have all started with a dead battery which seems to have caused the same problem with others.

 

[vigman]

So NOW you got him

Tell him 35K NOW and I'll deal with it!

LOL


Vig!

 

[vigman]

So... here's the plan (1998 column lock )

Go to Radio shack.. get one of their cig lighter plugs.. with LONG leads and some SMALL clip leads as well & 2 paperclips.

Bring a meter with you.

Dump the drivers HUSH panel.

There is a 4 pin connector under the steering column

d) Orange 1 side of Lock motor

c) Purple 2nd side of lock motor

b) LT green one side of lock motor feedback switch

a) Black other side of motor position switch
GND

Hook the leads up one way.. the lock motor should stall.

Reverse leads..and the motor should pull back.

Check if wheel is free...

Take your OHM meter & see if pins A&B are OPEN, If so leave connector unplugged.

If not..take a paperclip and jump the 2 pins.

Tape it up & out of the way.

Drive the car off the burm...

If it throws a code... it wont let you go far without stalling.. but you can move it.

Will dig for more!

Vig!

 

[vigman]

Sometimes the failure is triggered by

The KEY IN and batt failure.

Also check fuse #23 on the pass side ( under the carpet)

OR


Try this
Ign off key in
Remove the BCM fuse #25
( under the carpet ) for 15 seconds

Turn Ign ON

Clear DTC's

You should be good 2 GO!


Vig!

 

[greg]

it will cost you about $350 if my memory serves me right to get the up date installed on it. Just had mt 98 done this month

 

[Baldie88]

Vigman, wish I had your electrical knowledge. I can't plug in the toaster with electrocuting myself! :BOW I stopped at the Lexus dealer on the way home from work and he's going to argue it out with the Chevy dealer. Called Chevrolet Customer Assistance but didn't get any help since the VIN is outside the recall. When the smoke clears between the two dealers I told the Lexus one to call me.