Steering Column Lock Questions

[GregMGB]

Hello,

I just purchased a '97 6-speed a little bit less than two weeks ago, and I just had the column lock fail. I have read quite a bit about it, but I still have a few questions about it.

1) After a while struggling with it, I managed to get it unlocked. Do I need to get it replaced, or is there a chance that this was just a freak occurrence and I may not have this happen again? Am I OK driving the car or do I need to replace it immediately? If I were to replace it, would the new part be any different from the old part (updated design, etc.)?

2) I am aware of the column lock bypass kit that is available. I have read in old posts that the kit doesn't provide the BCM with the proper electrical loads and can cause other problems. What are people’s experiences with this?

3) Looking at the wiring diagram, the circuit for the switch looks quite simple: orange and purple provide power to the motor, and black and green are for a feedback switch. The nominal resistance of the motor is 4.7 ohms, which could be easily simulated using a few resistors in parallel (two 10 ohm and one 100 ohm should be close enough, I’d think). As for the switch side, I’d imagine the switch is closed when the column is locked, and open when it’s not, or vice versa. I totally forgot to check when it’s closed and when it’s open. Anyone happen to know? I’m assuming it’s not a potentiometer type device because that seems far more complicated than it needs to be. Do you know if this is the case? Once I know this, it should be a fairly simple task setting up a small circuit to simulate the steering column lock. Or should I just stop being cheap and buy the kit that someone already spent the time and money to develop?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Greg McCauley

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
While column locks are a sore subject in c5, depending on your VIN, 97 has a different design than those involved in the recall, 01044a.
While it is normally simply the actuator that looses the feedback signal to the BCM, the feedback is telling the BCM the actual position of the actuator, locked or unlocked.
Personally, if the column lock is repaired in accordance with Corvette engineering guidelines, you most likely will NEVER have a reoccurance.
There have been many posts about people having the system repaired, and then a reoccurance, however, everyone that I have seen, is due to workmanship of the dealership doing the repair. Not due to a failure again in the system.
So, with that, I would pick up the revised actuator and install it.
The part number is 26090960 for the actuator.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[BackSpacer]

I just recently bought a 99 convertible of of ebay and I am waiting on a local dealer to get the part in to do the column lock recall. On the recall papers it says that the recall will be done free of charge until July 01, 2003. It doesn't matter if you are the original owner or not. You may want to contact a local chev. dealer to get it done free.