Service Column Lock

[Surfer44]

I just had my 02 Vert 6 speed towed to the dealer. While pulling into the garage last night I got the "Service Column Lock" in the DIC. I thought that this problem was resolved in the newer cars?
Will this problem re-occur? I drive to CA. for meetings, quite often and do not want to be stranded there, while my car is in the shop.:confused

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Honestly, I cannot comment on what you have experienced. There are many reasons for a 'service column lock', 16 to be exact.
There are alot less occurances of 02 models having problems, than the 97-00.
There are always ways to unlock, even when you are 'stranded' to get yourself back on the road.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Surfer44]

Thanks for the reply. I would like to know in case it happens again, which the dealer assured me it wouldn't.
I have to give a big HURRAH to Henderson Chevrolet in Nevada for a quick fix and return of my car. I called 1-800-CHEVUSA and they took my info and told me a truck would be here in 90 minutes or less. IT WAS!!! The service advisor RAY"the bald guy" "his words not mine", called twice this morning to let me know that the trouble was "a shorted switch" and it was ready EARLY.
I'll tell you that Henderson Chevrolet has changed my opinion about car dealer repairs. The only one that has ever given that kind of service was Volkwagen (in 1969). ;worship

 

[SLICKMAN]

Don't know if this will help but here is the service Bulletin

1998-2000 Corvette Recall - Corvette Electronic Column Lock

GM Service Operations DCS851
Urgent - Distribute Immediately

Date: September 6, 2001
Subject: 01044A - Customer Satisfaction Campaign Corvette Electronic Column Lock
Models: 1998-2000 Corvette

To: All Chevrolet Dealers

Attn: Service Managers, Parts Managers, and Warranty Administrators: This bulletin supercedes
and replaces campaign bulletin 01044 issued July, 2001. The service procedures have been
revised along with the schematic for all manual transmission vehicles and export only
automatic transmission vehicles. The steering wheel nut part number has been added to the
part information table and the part count in the claim table has been adjusted accordingly.

This campaign is in effect through July 01, 2003.
****************************************************


CONDITION

General Motors has decided that certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic
column lock may not function as intended. The condition could result in the failure of the steering column to unlock during
initial key-in and start-up. Should the column fail to unlock, the engine will stop running if the vehicle starts to move.


CORRECTION

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. For Corvettes sold in all other countries, both
manual and automatic, dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952428.


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

IMPORTANT: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access
Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above
breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle
Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers
with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers
involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles
currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The
use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries.
Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.


MAILING INFORMATION
Dealer mailings will begin on September 6, 2001.

GMVIS INFORMATION
GMVIS information is currently available.

GM SERVICE OPERATIONS

 

[Surfer44]

Yeh, but my car is a 20021Whats up with that? Thanks for the reply.

 

[platooka]

c4c5 specialist can you shed some light on the ways to unlock the column lock in case you are stranded somewhere...? Much appreciated!

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
You can do the following, to unlock a locked up steering column lock actuator.
Just remember, that most of the failures are due to incorrect feedback signals to the BCM.
What you are doing is shocking the actuator to transmit a signal to the BCM to unlock the column.
While your are cycling the key between run and off, firmly tug the steering wheel left and right, until it unlocks.
It may take a few mins, but most of the time, it works.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[missmoneypenny]

This just happened to me on 6/24 and I had no clue as to what to do. I had it towed to the dealer so I am waiting to see what they say.

My tow truck also came quickly...40mins after my call!

 

[Stash]

I just had the same problem happen to me today. I had the kit to replace the factory column lock over 35,000 miles ago. I have 112,000 miles on my 98 C5. The car shuts down when I try to move. I am assuming it has to be electrical since I have no mechanical lock.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[singledad_9]

Mine locked today and yesterday with a service column lock message. What I did was pull fuse #23 out and put it back in after 15 seconds. The message went away.. What was happening was that I could turn the wheel all the way to max turning on both sides, while I had the key out.

After I pulled and put back in #23, the problem was gone. I did have the pull key and wait 10 sec's and I did, but the problem went away. Also I noticed on mine, fuse # 22 was missing. I took one of the spares in the engine compartment and replaced it.

One note for anyone who is trying to figure out how to pull a fuse, the fuse puller is in the engine compartment fuse box.

I'm now a tad concerned as well. Am glad it didn't happen on a date at night. c4/c5 what do you think...

Mike

 

[Stash]

Mike:

Thanks for the input. Tried it this morning and it didn't clear the column lock message and as soon as I try to drive, it shuts down.
Appreciate your help.

Stash

 

[SLICKMAN]

Was your VIN listed on the recall?

 

[Stash]

Yes, I got the recall info 2 months after I had the steering column lock up and had an aftermarket switch installed. The lockup happened in June 2001 and I got the info in August 2001. The good news is that I got in the car this afternoon to move it in my driveway. I could start it, put it in gear and move it 5-10 feet before it shut down. When I turned on the ignition, I got the "pull key,wait 10 sec message". When I pulled the key, I heard a sound like a reset going on. I started the car, and it now works fine. WHATEVER!

My concern is that it will happen when I am out on the road on a trip. If I took it in, would there be any DTC's that would identify the problem?

I appreciate the comebacks. Being unemployed at this time, I don't need big expenses.

Thanks again!

Stash

 

[singledad_9]

I brought my car for the recall and a second time as that it failed to fix the problem. The interesting thing was I was not hearing the servo motor that pulls the pin out of the steering wheel when I was getting the service column lock message. Secondly, the steering column was definately not locked. It is too bad there isn't a control alt delete function in the vette short of disconnecting the battery.

Stash, sorry that you are unemployed. I was unemployed for 7 months and am now seriously underemployed. Hang in there guy and hope you fair better than I have.

Mike

 

[Jozef]

I receive this message also, "Service Column Lock" but my car is still driveable. It never has failed to start...the only problem I've experienced is the battery going "dead" after a few days.

I've taken the car to the dealer and hopefully they'll fix the problem. I own a 1999 vette.

 

[sd pacecar]

It just happene to me also. Same DIC message, but I was looking at the wrong fuse to pull. My fuse panel was also missing #22. It was flat-bedded to Bob Stall Chevrolet in La Mesa. I wonder if doing the fuse pull really fixes the problem or merely postpones it for a later failure? I would hate to have it pop up again when I am nowhere near a repair facility. BTW, I own a 00 Nassau Blue FRC.

 

[singledad_9]

I found out that #22 was unnecessary for my y2k. Get it to the dealer and have them fix the service column lock. I did that after pulling and reinserting #23 only as a temporary reset (kind of control, alt, delete for the bcm). After the trip to the dealer I have not had problems.

Mike

 

[r1_addict]

My 2001 just had this problem as well. I got the display information, but was able to drive. I took it to the dealer. They told me it was in some type of "security" mode and they reset it for me.

 

[singledad_9]

It happened again....

My gut feeling is that it is heat related. When ever I go on a date and it's hot outside, it happens. Either that or the computers in the vette are more sophisticated than I thought.

Am not pleased. Waited about 2 hours and retried. Got the pull key and retry. Waited 10 seconds, heard the servo and I knew I was good to go.

Guess where she's going this week

Mike

 

[Jozef]

There is a service bulletin issued by GM. It expired on 7/01/03.
Owners of certain C5's should have received a service bulletin from either the dealer or GM.

Jozef