2KFRC5

It looks like GM has abandoned the "electronic column lock" with the following Special Policy Adjustment notice:

Subject: GMP06-029 - 05081 Special Policy Adjustment - Electronic Column Lock System

Supposedly, GM is sending notices to owners starting Feb 15. In the notice GM is directing dealers to remove at no cost to the owner the column lock plate on most '97-'04 Corvettes

Anyone know where we can get a copy of this, or more about it?

From a reliable source - - - -

dreamscometrue

JeffC5

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...4&forum_id=103

jeff

2KFRC5

http://www.c5forum.com/cgi-bin/ultim...68.html#000000

MODELS:

1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT
VEHICLES ONLY


DESCRIPTION:
PRODUCT SAFETY #04006C
DATED: FEBRUARY 8, 2006
IMPORTANT:

THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04006B, ISSUED NOVEMBER 2004. THE SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR U.S. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REVISED. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NEW INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY.

ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 04006B SHOULD BE DESTROYED.

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1997-2004 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. When you remove the ignition key, the electronic column lock (ECL) system prevents turning of the steering wheel. When the vehicle is started, it unlocks the steering. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving:

1. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started, the fuel supply will be shut off if the driver tries to move the vehicle. If voltage at the powertrain control module is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering is locked.
2. During quick cranks, the ECL lock pin may not withdraw fully and, in vehicles where there is abnormally low clearance to the lock plate, there may be contact between the pin and lock plate. This can cause a noise or ratcheting when the steering wheel is turned or, if there is insufficient clearance, the steering wheel cannot be turned.

If one of these conditions occurs, a crash could occur without warning.


CORRECTION:
Dealers are to remove the column lock plate on U.S. and Canadian vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and U.S. vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. After the service correction, the steering column will no longer lock when the key is removed.

On Canadian and export vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, and export vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, Dealers are to 1) reprogram the PCM, and 2) verify there is adequate lock plate clearance and, if necessary, replace the lock plate. After the service correction, the steering column will continue to lock when the key is removed.

Refer to the Product Safety Bulletin #04006C for further information.


EFFECTIVE DATE:
Owner mailing is scheduled to begin February 15, 2006.


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO – Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO – Customer Special Order.

The Parts list follows:


Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle
89023816 Harness Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk Shorting (US manuals and all automatics except export vehicles) 1
88952428 Wire Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk (1998-2000 Canadian and export manuals & export automatics) 1 (If Req'd)
26056108 Nut, Strg Whl 1 (If Req'd)
26094767 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (Canadian manuals) 1 (If Req'd)
88964588 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (Export vehicles) 1 (If Req'd)
05694191 Ring, Strg Shf Lk Plt Ret 1 (If

Bill Curlee

keeping my eyes and ears open on this post!!!!

MR1911

Me too

DngrZne

Maybe procrastinating buying the CLB will save me $50 afterall

MGorman

Wow after all these years, finally some new and encouraging news.

Why did they suddenly decide to do the right thing? This is so unlike GM.

wstory1

Ginzo

Me too! Actually I was going to let it lock up one time before I installed the CLB.

TEXHAWK0

This is exactly what I did on my 04 Z06 two years ago, except I went one step further and installed the GM Harness K wiring harness.
If GM only removes the lockplate, that still just solves the problem of the column locking. If the actuator is still in the circuit, with no relay harness, I think if the actuator fails, the BCM will still shut off the fuel where the car is undriveable.

Cscokd

I'd love to have them remove my lock plate, but I won't let them touch my PCM

40thAnniversary

what changed from the 2000 to 2001 automatic that made it exempt?

idiedtrying

is this even if you bought the car used?? GM will still fix it>?

Joe_G

Word. From Ken Fitchner Chevrolet.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1553930524

Tourmgr1

I have already had the PCM reprogrammed and installed the CL fix .....my car will NEVER be at a dealers shop. Take it at your own peril ....the dealers will be looking forward to this recall .....a wonderful chance to screw more money out of the uninformed with unecessary repairs.

TOPGUN9

I installed the CLB back in 1999 when I bought my coupe new. Never looked back; probably the best $50.00 I ever spent.

mrm1149

My perception verbatim...any further views? I will do the clb which should take care of the actuator being knocked out of the picture.
I have had 2 defective k harnesses which have been removed. So...with the plate and clb I see no fuel cutoff problem occuring?? A4 automatic........

MIKE

litnrod

Well...here is my two cents...and I am not happy.

I own a 99 mn6.

In Mar 05...The CL locked up on me as I was leaving a restaurant. Car undriveable. Had to leave it there, overnight. Rented a car. The next morning I had it towed to the Chevy dealer. All in all I spent $900 dollars getting this thing fixed, because the column lock was not covered in the first recall. And the first recall was already performed.

?????

I argued and argued with GM...they kept putting me off, until nonetheless I got frustrated and gave up...I imagine this is what good customer service is all about. Make them wait until they give up or it costs us money (our time).

Now, they 1 year later, when they knew there was a problem for the past 8 years.

Hmmmm...is it worth my effort to pursue this yet again?

Is my column lock going to fail?

Do I need to get the new recall done?

Thanks for any input.

--------------------
If they hear you before they see you, it is loud enough.

1999 Torch Red C5 Coupe
K & N Dual Air intake, B&B Bullet, Michelin A/S Pilot Sport ZP, Black Z06 Rims

mrm1149

I would sure as h*ll pursue some sort of reimbursement as I'm sure there was plenty of profit $ in the repair you paid for originally. Years ago I had a similar scenario with a fo*d fuel pump..........