adolph

Have you heard of any reported Column Lock issues with the 03's?

Ken Fichtner

Hello and thanks for your post and question.

To date I have not had any of my customers with 2003's encounter any trouble with the Column Lock. Please keep in mind that my posts on the web relative to this problem have been direct quotations from GM in an attempt to keep Corvette owners informed. In my opinion, GM is seriously pursuing truth in this problem. We have never had an owner have their Corvette lock during movement. I am not saying that it can't happen but to date none of my customers have had the problem.

adolph

Thanks for your response :cheers:

Tom Kearns

Not sure my 2003 even has the Steering Column lock, It sure does not feel like ones there. My 98 had one and the dealer "fixed it" I think he just took it off, as it feels like my 2003. No clicking and movement after key removal CAN take place.

adolph

Tom
I actually thought the same ting, but if you turn "enough" it will lock up.

FWIW, I have an MN6.

SoCal C5

I think I am correct in saying if your '03 car is an A4 then it should not have a column lock. The MN6 equipped cars still have the lock. Some time mid year '00 they made some improvements to the system that increased reliability. The new, improved parts are available to owners of older cars. Apparently the new parts are more reliable but nothing is ever completely immune to failure so there will certainly still be failures. Hopefully just not as many as before.

I can testify to the fact that the new system still fails. My '01 locked up twice. After pulling the key, waiting and trying repeatedly it finally unlocked on its own both times. I went ahead and installed the Corvettes of Houston by-pass kit just as insurance that I would not be stranded.

I should also say that while I know several '97-99 owners that have had the column lock problem I am the only '01 and later owner I know, including reading any post on the forum, that has had a column lock problem.

JoesC5

Ken, I understand there is a Chevrolet Dealer Service Bulletin #01-02-35-008 regarding the 97-98 and 2000> cars that were not covered under the recall of Sept 6,2001. Is this bulletin a recall? If not, will the dealer install the kit at no charge to a car that isn't towed in with the column locked? My 98 falls into the group that was not included in the original recall and even though I haven't had my column fail to operate properly, because of my low milage(12,000) I feel that it could happen at any time and leave me stranded.

Ken Fichtner

JoesC5,

I am presently out of town attending the National Auto Dealers Association convention. I will email our dealership and have Bob Wendorff pull the publication and post an answer here on Monday.

Ken

CorvettePartsBob

Hello, this is Bob at Fichtner Chevrolet.

I have called GM to ask about the lock solenoid. I was told all of the Corvettes have a steering lock solenoid in them, regardless of your, model, or transmision. My parts computer shows only one part number for 1997 thru 2004 for all corvettes. This leads me to beleive what I was told is correct.
The latest bulletin which came out in mid January is Chevrolet asking all dealers to let them know IF they get a car where the steering actualy locks up during driving; not just on a start up. They are to notify Chevrolet immediately and not touch the car other than to have it towed in on a roll back. Chevrolet will send a field team out to inspect the car. The person I talked to said there was no record in the computer of any cars with this situation yet. There have been several reports of lock up on start up, but nothing as to locking up while driving the car. This is the latest and most complete information I have at this time.

Bob :chevy :flag

JoesC5

But what about my question on Service Bulletin #01-02-35-008? :)
Joe

Ken Fichtner

I am still out of the office so I haven't the mentioned bulletin handy but I will email Robert and ask him again to answer your question.

Have a great day,

Ken Fichtner

CorvettePartsBob

This is Bob again,

Sorry I didn't complete your answer. Bulletin 01-02-35-008 is a technical information bulletin to dealers on how to repair a problem, it is not a recall. It states that if a customer comes in complaining about the steering column lock on initial key-in and start up it tells the dealers what repairs to do. It covers all 1997, 1998 from vin break w5100001 to w5123354 and 2000 from vin break y5116234 to end of model year production. It then goes on to tell the dealer what to do depending on trans, year etc. This is for repair either under warranty or as customer pay. With your low mileage you may wish to visit with your dealer to see if they can get Chevrolet to do the repair as a customer satisfaction repair. If they are unwilling to try you might call Chevrolet customer assistance at 1-800-222-1020 and run it by them.
I hope this answers your question.

Bob :chevy :flag


[Modified by CorvettePartsBob, 4:49 PM 2/5/2003]

Corvettedon

Okay... now I'm confused. (Not your fault though.) There's a TSB for 97-98 and 2000? But, this effects all years? What's up with that?

CorvettePartsBob

Don't feel bad, Im in a perpetual state of confusion!
The bulletin was only for those years, it skipped 1999 and went no newer than 2000. I have also pulled up a CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
This is what it says: 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 88952427 for automatic trans. Corvettes in the US & Canada or repair kit 88952428 for all manual trans. Corvettes in the US & Canada.
1998 from vin W5123355 through vin W5131069
1999 from vin X5100001 through vin X5133283
2000 from vin Y5100001 through Y5116233
IMPORTANT:Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS prior to doing the repair. ( NOT ALL VEHICLES WITHIN THE ABOVE BREAKPOINTS MAY BE INVOLVED)

Some got a new lock and some got a harness kit to correct shorting wires.

The way I read all of this is everything newer than these cars must have received the design change parts or wiring at the factory. Continued

CorvettePartsBob

I ran out of room.

I have checked with GM and they tell me they still have not been able to verify ANY corvette steering lock up while driving.

The existing bulletins and the recall does not effect any vette newer than 2000. For 2001 and newer we will have to wait and see.

Bob :chevy :flag

Corvettedon

Thanks Bob. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :steering:

2ndZ06

I personally know of an '02 Z06 that had the problem (not while moving!). The guy who bought my '02 had the seering column lock up on him shortly after he bought it from me. It only had about 6k miles at the time. I was shocked when he called me because I too had thought they fixed the problem in '01.

vermjpv

I've had it happen three times on my 01. First two times, it finally released after waiting awhile. The last time, I had it brought to my dealer. They were unable tyo get it to mal-function. They DID nothing (they say), and it (SO FAR) has not happened again.

TJ1

I can tell you it is happening to 2001's as it happned to mine last month. I was backing out of my driveway with the wheel turned all the way to the left (car stalled as it locked up). Took three days for the dealership to get it fixed as GM came out to look at my car. I got a new lock and harness installed... will be installing the CLB as I don't trust GM with this "new" fix

2K14C7

>>>I have called GM to ask about the lock solenoid. I was told all of the Corvettes have a steering lock solenoid in them, regardless of your, model, or transmision. My parts computer shows only one part number for 1997 thru 2004 for all corvettes. This leads me to beleive what I was told is correct.<<<

Boy am I confused. This is contrary to what has been posted in the past. I was under the assumption that in 02 the column lock was eliminated on the A4's but continue on the 6 speeds.... :confused: :confused: :confused: