Steering column lock

[Camaro SS]

Yes its that old chestnut again! I've seen varios postings on this subject and although we have a 98 thought if it ain't broke etc etc. That is until this morning, we are not, fortunately, a million miles from nowhere but sitting on our drive! Have spoken to Bauer Millett and tried their initial remedy of starting the car, then got the pull key wait 10 seconds message then restarted and the lock is still on! Currently waiting a return call from them when they've rechecked the recall details. Shame really as I only got the green vette back yesterday after yet another optispark failure and now Keiths nicked it!

[c5ragtop]

What a bummer - hope you can sort it out with BM.

I have a very helpful contact at GM Europe you could try to see if yours is affected but he may have the info for only Euro cars. His email is:

"Stefan Molenbeek" [e-mail]

Looking at this link you should be ok:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=81145&f=100&h=0&hw=recall

Also I think someone (possibly Kenski) said the US cars can be done over here as it is not warranty work.

Cue Wayne to recommend the by pass (not the sort I had done by the way - I wouldn't recommend that to anyone!!)

[Camaro SS]

Just heard from Bauers, they can do the work as its a recall but I need to get the car there, thank goodness for breakdown cover! The biggest problem is that the computer has to be reprogrammed, we have a custom program and it will be wiped, I NEED A COMPUTER WIZARD or the car won't run (well it will but badly!)

[te51cle]

Some people have had success with the old-fashioned way of putting the they key in then turning on and wiggling the wheel at exactly the same time to just make enough vibration/clearance for the lock to disengage. If the simple trick works it would at least delay the visit to Bauer Millet long enough to upload an image of your mapping to somewhere safe.

By the way, Nigel has a version of LS1 edit knocking around. Don't know if its just set up for his VIN or whether its one that can be used on 2/3/4/all LS1s. You might be able to contact the manufacturer and extend the licence to cover your car too.

[c5ragtop]

Camaro SS said:

Just heard from Bauers, they can do the work as its a recall but I need to get the car there, thank goodness for breakdown cover! The biggest problem is that the computer has to be reprogrammed, we have a custom program and it will be wiped, I NEED A COMPUTER WIZARD or the car won't run (well it will but badly!)

I was told by GM Europe that there is an arrangement with BM that the car can be transported there and back free of charge though I'm not sure if this is euro cars only but I can't see why it should be - speak to Chris MacDonald at BM.

I assume that if your recovery company gets it up to BM you will have to bring it back?

>> Edited by c5ragtop on Thursday 7th April 18:59

[vetteheadracer]

My copy of LS1 Edit only works with a 2003

I would have thought you could download the program using something like LS1 Edit or Predator and then upload it again afterwards.

This link might help....

http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/

[LuS1fer]

I believe the patent cure is to lean on the steering wheel and wiggle. A column lock bypass can be bought from Corvettes Of Houston but I think that can only be done while it's still working. 60 bucks well spent.

There was an original "cure", a cure that ref;ashed the PCM which I believe ensure sthe fuel stays cut off whilst it's engaged and another "cure" which adds an additional piece of harness and I believe is GM's version of a column lock bypass. Good to see they let a whole model run go by without ever fixing it properly.

[Camaro SS]

Thanks guys for replies, looking around the US forums it looks as if the 98 auto does not need to be reprogrammed, only the manual ones. Richard, I spoke to Chris yesterday and although they will do the recall they would not be reimbursed by GM for getting the car to and fro as its not a Euro one and yes we would have to collect it when fixed. Mind you we have spent many nights in Manchester when they were investigating the active handling problem we had ( several visits, all components replaced, eventually GM acknowledged that there was a problem with the earlier systems and the fault was found to be a $1 dollar bracket which holds the sensor!) We do also need a new rag top and the seats are looking a bit tired after 121000 miles!

[c5ragtop]

Have you thought about replacing the car seats with Keith's office seats!!!

[Camaro SS]

Could only afford one of those and we'd fight over which side of the car it went in, his seat but I bought it!!

[Camaro SS]

Just in case anyones spots a pace car on a low loader on the M25/M40/M6 yes its ours!. A kind man from the RAC collected it this morning. Still seems a grey area as to whether the ECU will have to be reprogrammed, hope not otherwise we will have to force ourselves to go out to the States to have it customised again!

[Camaro SS]

Steering lock now sorted (thanks Bauers), just waiting for some other things to arrive from the States before picking it up, Keith not driven it for 8 days and has serious withdrawal symptoms!