Help! Steering Column Lock Issue - Who Pays???

[trackman]

Well I just experienced the dreaded steering column lockup issue on my 2000 MN6 C5 after 54000 miles. We called the Chevrolet dealer and they sent out a tow truck. The original recall quick fix was performed on the vehicle in 2002 and now the dealer tells me that I will have to pay $570 plus towing and tax to get it fixed.....IS THIS RIGHT????????​

I thought reading these threads that Chevrolet was responsible for fixing this problem forever, not just once. Is there any documentation I can print and take to Chevy to show they are responsible for the costs? or am I in error?​

Thanks
Trackman​

 

[leftyvette]

Maybe if they continue to refuse to pay you can have it towed home and install the $50 override your self. Hopefully some of the more experienced members will help with this issue. My understanding is that this only impacts manual transmissions. Anyone having the same multiple lock ups with the automatic tranny?

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
The special policy expired 2/29/08.
As for the rest, many things can cause this condition.
Low battery voltage for one.
Disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 mins and then reinstall and evaluate the condition.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[trackman]

I have now had Chevrolet repair the column lock issue by installing a Lock and Harness Kit, does these resolve all future problems with this issue or do I still need to have an after-market CLB installed. Chevy told me their repairs would resolve the problem but I did get a warm feeling from this guy.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Mostly, yes.
Personally, I have not found one completely trouble free solution.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[zagger]

Question:

does these resolve all future problems with this issue

Answer:

Mostly, yes.

As much as I respect your professional input I have to disagree. GM fix has proven to be unreliable at best. CLB on other hand is the only way to my knowledge to reliably fix the problem. I'm baffled by the lack of support of the CLB device by a large majority of GM professionals. I don't own any stock in CLB so my opinion is totally impartial but from personal experiences and all the testimonial out there it is a very reliable product. As you mentioned there are many variables that can trigger column lock, The CLB eliminates them completely. I can think of an example when club member on a trip to Borego parked his car at a restaurant for lunch and due to 117 temps his battery went dead. No one in the group had jumper cables so with the help of others they push started the car, this would not be possible without the CLB installed. I would strongly recommend installing this device. Respectfully, Zig.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
The facts of column lock are substantial and are never completely covered by internet speculation.
Truth is, there is not one single option that is trouble free.
And I could personally provide over 20 different uses of CLB in my service files alone, that had BCM replaced due to internal relay failure on the column lock driver circuits.
HOwever, there have been many MORE failures due to the GM relays going bad, defective actuators and the like.
This is the reason why I do not stand behind any of them because there are too many variable for myself as a service technician to recommend ANY as a cure all.
Allthebest, c4c5