The dreaded "Service Column Lock" just got me. Now I have to sit here at work for an hour and a half waiting for a friggin tow truck. I can handle all of the Corvettes little quirks......except for this one. Where's my assault rifle Ah crap, it's at home and I CANT GET THERE!!!!! Ok, I've vented.
As you are turning your key to the on position, grab your steering wheel and yank it hard clockwise. I've freed up 4 column locks that way, including Sherylann's just 2 weeks ago.
__________________ Frank QS/Black 2001 Z06
Katech Stage II Heads and Cam, Katech Ported and Polished Throttle Body, 36# Injectors, FLP Headers, High Flow Cats and X-Pipe, Vortex Rammer & Power Duct, BPP Performance Shifter, MSD Wires, Beru Spark Plugs, Lloyds Mats, Chrome Z06 Wheels, Euro Tail Lights ....I AM BONE STOCK!!
Sherylann BLK/Black 2001 Z06
Vortex Rammer & Power Duct, Chrome Z06 Wheels, Lloyds Mats, Shortened stock shifter with MOMO knob
I figured there was a way to free it up. But it needs to be fixed. I can't afford to have it happen somewhere and be unable to free it. Especially in my garage........I wouldn't be able to get it out to even get it on a tow truck since my driveway curves just outside the door.
From what I've seen and read, there are two ways for the column lock to go tits up on you.
1) the Pin gets stuck - Frank's fix for this works here, you jerk the wheel, then the column will no longer lock, as the pin is broken. The computer doesn't know its broken, and thinks its locking just fine, so no codes are thrown.
2) The mechanism that puts the pin into the lock position freezes in the unlocked position. You're kind of screwed here as even though the column is not locked, the computer thinks it is. Once you hit 3mph, the car pulls fuel and the engine stalls. This is _REALLY_ frustrating. This happened to me, and I found a short term fix (not practical, but it will get you home).
Pull the battery cable for 2-3 hours, plug it back in, fire the car. Its going to bitch about the column lock, but it won't cut the engine. Its how I got mine to the dealer with when it happened to me.
Of course, as soon as you kill the engine, you're stuck again, and have to go through the pull battery cable and wait process.
I've watched Frank do the col lock twice and heard about it even more times.....Works EVERY time......I would not have my car towed when I could drive it.......MHO
Originally posted by mgarfias 1) the Pin gets stuck - Frank's fix for this works here, you jerk the wheel, then the column will no longer lock, as the pin is broken.
NO!! The pin does not break!!
There was a fix for the 01's and the 02's, but alas, it still gets stuck. That is why you jerk the wheel while turning the key. As the pin release trys to engage, jerking the wheel frees the pin. I have never broken a pin yet. And yes, it can happen on the 02's as well!!
When Sherylann's is dismanteled, I will take pix to show everyone what is going on.
There was a fix for the 01's and the 02's, but alas, it still gets stuck. That is why you jerk the wheel while turning the key. As the pin release trys to engage, jerking the wheel frees the pin. I have never broken a pin yet. And yes, it can happen on the 02's as well!!
When Sherylann's is dismanteled, I will take pix to show everyone what is going on.
As you are turning your key to the on position, grab your steering wheel and yank it hard clockwise. I've freed up 4 column locks that way, including Sherylann's just 2 weeks ago.
Good trick. Didn't want to wait 1.5 hrs for a tow so I gave it a shot and it worked. You really just give it a slight turn. Doesn't feel like anything breaks.....thanks.
Originally posted by Manatee Vett, glad you're on the road again
Not as glad as I am. I work with a "chik car" driver (Z3) and he's constantly bashing GM's and singing the praises of Nazi engineering. If the Z would have had to get carried off the field on a stretcher, things would have been brutal. I probably won't live this down for awhile as it is.
I've been trying to leave work at the same time as him for 6 months but he always sneaks away on days that he drives his sissymobile. One day, the planets will align, and I will catch him on the road. Who's your daddy beemer boy
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