From the latest National Corvette Owners Association newsletter:
National Corvette Owners Association
By Les Jackson
As of the close of 2000, nearly 5,500 owners of ‘97-2000 Corvettes have presented warranty claims for failure of the steering column lock, specifically know as the Electronic Column Lock (ECL). This lock is an electron-mechanical servo that locks/unlocks the steering column when electrical energy is applied to the leads of its motor. The actual function of the mechanism is its extending/retraction lock bolt that engages a slot in the steering column shaft. Its direction is controlled by altering the polarity of the voltage applied to the motor terminals. The Corvette’s Body Control Module (BCM) supplies the voltage ton the ECL and also ground the ECL’s motor through the KEY OUT of the ignition switch, preventing the BCM from locking the steering column when the key is in the ignition switch. The ECL is manufactured by Fasco Controls Corporation of Shelby, NC and the steering column is manufactured by Delphi Saginaw Steering Systems.
Failures of the ECL have resulted, for the most part, in the cars being towed to dealerships for replacements of the ECL (and sometimes the whole column). Three modes of failure have been determined by GM and by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in an investigation that was closed in summer of 2000:
1. The ECL can fail to unlock when the key is inserted into the ignition.
2. The ECL can fail to lock when the key is removed from the ignition.
3. Inadvertent activation of the lock function while the vehicle is being operated at normal speeds and with the key in the ignition.
Engineering studies found that for the first two modes of failure, certain mechanisms were identified that could result in these types of malfunctions. In other words, it can happen in a variety of ways and GM has, so far, issued five design changes between Sept. ’97 and June ’98 that attempted to fix the ECL. Two of these reduced the likelihood of electrical shorts and the third reduced a possible dimensional interference between the motor worm gear and the ECL housing, while the other tow were changes to materials rather than functionality. No service bulletins or recalls were issued by GM, since any replacement parts would automatically have the design changes.
The third mode of failure is a bit more important because a few owners have reported steering column lockup while driving. GM and NHTSA engineers have studied as may of these reported incidents as have come to their attention and have found in each case that the driver may have perceived that the steering locked up while being operated, but it actually never unlocked at vehicle start-up. Since the ECL never unlocked, system logic shut off the flow of fuel to the engine if its speed reached a tow mph speed. So-called failures at highway speeds were found to be the result of engine shutoffs (for a variety of reasons including ignition failure, sensor failure, fuel pump failure, etc). The resultant lack of power steering assist – and considerable effort needed to turn the wheel – caused the owners to perceive steering column lockup.
NHTSA investigators determined that “a significant trend of failure exists for the ECL in Corvettes, however a significant trend of compromise to vehicle safety in actual service as a result of those failures was not demonstrated.” Therefore, this does not constitute a safety-related defect and recall.
So what does this mean to owners of ‘97-2000 Vettes? High-level managers at GM told me that the company will go out of its way to satisfy Corvette owners, since such persons tend to be enthusiasts and very loyal to Chevrolet. Although out-of—warranty problems will be handled on a case-by-case basis, GM management intends to be “very flexible” with such claims. Another course of action might be to contact C% Solutions at
c5solutions@att.net to get information about a column lock bypass kit that you can buy to override the ECL system. Better yet, have your mechanic pull out the factory service manual to figure out how to remove the ECL’s lock bolt from the motor. That will certainly cure any potential problems without affecting the electronics.
Installing a bypass system or removing the ECL’s lock bolt does not violate federal safety laws, contrary to popular though. Although the Fede4ral Motor Vehicle Safety Standards system (the column lock is required under FMVSS #114) makes the manufacturer design a car in which the key lock system “must prevent either steering or forward self movement of the vehicle, or both”, no federal law requires owners to maintain or replace any safety device, including air bags.
The steering column lock problem will eventually go away as those affected cars get repaired. However, for those who’ve experienced the nuisance and inconvenience caused by the problem, all you can do is be philosophical about it. Think about the years when Corvettes had 12 month/12,000 mile warranties and the points-ignitions failed way to often. On the other hand, you might want to vent your frustration against Fasco. A few thousand phone calls and emails from inconvenienced Bette owners could easily make them as annoyed as the ECL failure did to you.
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