Originally Posted by kris6868 (Post 1580753775)

Dam that sucks..
Did you add it because the column locked or wanted to fix it before it happened?

Originally Posted by dosoctaves (Post 1580753813)

I just purchased a LMC5 and unlocker, but after seeing several threads like this it is stowed in a rear bin w/ required tools as a "just in case". My CL is working fine, I see no reason to mess with it unless/until it acutally malfunctions.

:lurk:

Originally Posted by AmethystVette (Post 1580756274)

Just ordered this product. I am not having any issues at all but none of the recalls have ever been done to my C5. The lock works as it should, but have always been told there are 2 kinds of C5's those that have malfunctioned and those that will.

After seeing these type of stories I am concerned. Should I install it or save it till there are issues?

Originally Posted by 65GGvert (Post 1580756354)

Again, there are 3 types of C5 here. Add the ones that didn't come with the column lock as I mentioned above. But anyway, to answer your question, if I owned a manual or 97-2000 automatic, I'd install the LMC5 BEFORE I was stranded or in a situation that made it difficult to complete. Why wait?

Originally Posted by AmethystVette (Post 1580756395)

I wasn't counting the ones that didn't come with the issue, only those that did, but yes you are correct, 3 flavors. :D

My concern comes from people here saying that after installation that problems started. At least thats the impression I am getting. I'm all for installing it at my convenience and not in a parking lot someplace in the rain. I would hate to install it and then have issues creep up that so far I have not had. Every time I hear the lock engage I cringe a little wondering if/when mine will malfunction.

Originally Posted by 65GGvert (Post 1580756354)

Again, there are 3 types of C5 here. Add the ones that didn't come with the column lock as I mentioned above. But anyway, to answer your question, if I owned a manual or 97-2000 automatic, I'd install the LMC5 BEFORE I was stranded or in a situation that made it difficult to complete. Why wait?

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7 (Post 1580762398)

What C5's are you referring to that didn't come with the Column Lock?

Are you referring to the 2001 - 2004 automatic trans cars??

All C5's came with the column lock function. The locic is built into the BCM and cannot be deleted easily and/or inexpensively. If it could have been then GM might not have been in such a quandry on how to fix the issue.

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7 (Post 1580766149)

That is correct. GM MUST do the NHTSA recall service on the car if it has never been done before. The GMVIS will show whether the Column Lock Recall service is still outstanding on the car. The NHTSA recall NEVER expires as long as the service has not been done to the vehicle. GM will do it free ***.

There is also a misunderstanding about the different variations of the recall service. They were NOT separate recalls. Just different variations of the work done to complete the NHTSA recall. Back in the 2004 time frame when the recall came out GM was trying to correct the problem once and for all, albeit as cheaply as possible. The different variations had slightly different parts that were installed in an attempt to correct the problem. Unfortuneately the fault lies in the design of the BCM logic and GM was NOT willing to spend the $$$$ to redesign the BCM and then free of charge install it into the hundreds of thousands of cars in the recall. Some cars but certainly not all cars got more than one variation of the recall service done free by GM. By late 2006 they were anxious to put a stop to the $$$ they were spending on the column lock issue for a car that had been out of production for more than 3 years. They were already spending $$$ on the column lock problems for the C6 manual trans vehicles that were experiencing failures but not of the nature to be a safety risk that would warrant a NHTSA recall.

There is an advantage to the 04006C recall being done on a car that has never had the recall service. Namely GM does NOT set the fuel shutoff on that variation of their service. If you read the tables at the front of the link I posted you will see that. So with the 04006C recall done you will not get stranded by the system. Most you will get is the PIA "Pull key and wait....." message in the DIC. Car will still be driveable even if the GM K Harness installed as a part of 04006C fails and it likely will.


*** There can, however, be a hitch that will cost the vehicle owner $$$ even if the recall service has never been done. If the column lock motor has failed, replacement of that part is NOT covered for free.......