How many have had the steering column lock?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Jacksonville, Florida
How many have had the steering column lock? I guess it was one of those things that i never thought would happen to me 
. Today after a stop at the pet store to get my 2 doggies some food, the dreaded steering column lock got me 
. I had the car flatbeded over to Westside Chevy. Now the car is no longer under warrenty (98 w/ 40K miles) but i figured with it being such a common problem it would be covered under the recall. OF COURSE NOT! Only certain 98s are specified under the recall order. 
So i called Chevys customer service line, and they are going to TRY to get it taken care of at no cost. I cant understand what the issue would be. If there is a recall on it, and it happens to the car in question, FIX THE DAMN PROBLEM! Now i have no Vette for the weekend and wont know the results of my "request" until Monday. Sorry for the rant, just pissed.
. Today after a stop at the pet store to get my 2 doggies some food, the dreaded steering column lock got me . I had the car flatbeded over to Westside Chevy. Now the car is no longer under warrenty (98 w/ 40K miles) but i figured with it being such a common problem it would be covered under the recall. OF COURSE NOT! Only certain 98s are specified under the recall order. So i called Chevys customer service line, and they are going to TRY to get it taken care of at no cost. I cant understand what the issue would be. If there is a recall on it, and it happens to the car in question, FIX THE DAMN PROBLEM! Now i have no Vette for the weekend and wont know the results of my "request" until Monday. Sorry for the rant, just pissed. 
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 828
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From: dallas,tx.
Re: How many have had the steering column lock? I had the steering column fix done on my 99 a couple years ago by way of a recall GM did. never had it lock up on me fortunatly. I did read somewhere that clearing all the codes from the PCM would unlock it in most cases. you can do this without the aid of a computer on corvettes. I can't remember the exact sequence off the top of my head, but it's pretty simple. check the PCM/tuning section here or let me know if you need more info. I'd be glad to help if I can.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Jacksonville, Florida
Re: How many have had the steering column lock? I could not clear the code through the DIC, tried several times. I had heard that if you shook the steering wheel hard enough it would unlock, but that didnt work either, plus i was starting to get some very strange looks from passers-by. Its just sitting at the dealership waiting for Monday to come around. I will be very disappointed in GM if they do not cover the cost of this. 
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 828
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From: dallas,tx.
Re: How many have had the steering column lock? I've never had a problem clearing codes, even current ones. my car is a 99, and here is how I do it. this may or may not help, but is worth a try.
with the key on and engine not running, press and hold 'options' and then press 'fuel' 4 times, quickly. (hold the options button in while doing this)
a message will appear saying 'diagnostics', and will automatically start displaying any codes. ie, 02-PCM (no codes)....03-BCM(no codes)...etc. if there is a code it will look like: 02-PCM(1052H). the H at the end indicates history. if there is a C, that means it's current.
to clear the codes let it automatically cycle through the codes until it comes to (MANUAL DIAGNOSTICS). this is where you can clear the codes.
use the 'options' button to scroll forward through the codes, and 'trip' to go back. to erase the codes, press and hold reset until the it says no codes. that's it.
before you delete any codes you might want to write them down. that way if they recur you will know which ones are new which ones keep happening.
I check mine from time to time just to keep an eye on things.
good luck, and save the wave!
with the key on and engine not running, press and hold 'options' and then press 'fuel' 4 times, quickly. (hold the options button in while doing this)
a message will appear saying 'diagnostics', and will automatically start displaying any codes. ie, 02-PCM (no codes)....03-BCM(no codes)...etc. if there is a code it will look like: 02-PCM(1052H). the H at the end indicates history. if there is a C, that means it's current.
to clear the codes let it automatically cycle through the codes until it comes to (MANUAL DIAGNOSTICS). this is where you can clear the codes.
use the 'options' button to scroll forward through the codes, and 'trip' to go back. to erase the codes, press and hold reset until the it says no codes. that's it.
before you delete any codes you might want to write them down. that way if they recur you will know which ones are new which ones keep happening.
I check mine from time to time just to keep an eye on things.
good luck, and save the wave!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Jacksonville, Florida
Re: How many have had the steering column lock? I know all about how to clear codes, i have to clear my "check engine" light nearly everyday, due to the gutted cats. All i was saying was that the column lock wasnt something that could be cleared through the DIC. Too bad, i hate having my car at a dealership for any reason. But thanks for the help Six.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
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From: Jacksonville, Florida
Re: How many have had the steering column lock? The resolution to the steering column lock problem, was that i spoke with GM customer service and they agreed to cover it under the recall. Can you believe that GM actually stepped up on this? Funny thing is, they found that my battery was leaking and had eaten through the positive cable. Once they changed the battery and cable, the column unlocked. Go figure. Oh well, at least GM tried to do the right thing. I would seriously recommend that if anyone ever has a warrenty or recall issue and the dealer is not cooperating, to call GM customer service and raise a little hell 
. 800-222-1020 Should get it back tomorrow morning, barring any other problems.
Can you believe that GM actually stepped up on this? Funny thing is, they found that my battery was leaking and had eaten through the positive cable. Once they changed the battery and cable, the column unlocked. Go figure. Oh well, at least GM tried to do the right thing. I would seriously recommend that if anyone ever has a warrenty or recall issue and the dealer is not cooperating, to call GM customer service and raise a little hell . 800-222-1020 Should get it back tomorrow morning, barring any other problems. LS1 Tech Stories
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Re: How many have had the steering column lock? We had a guy come into the dealership today w/ his locked. 2000 M6 coupe. Really nice guy. I had to drive him home in the shuttle van, hasnt been back from Qatar too long, now has his baby locks up on him...
