Steering Column Lock

[HT99+63]

Hi Mike, glad to hear you took some time for yourself and family. That's the most important thing.:nod:

Mike, I haven't had the problem yet, but I don't use my hardtop much. I am concerned about driving with my wife and the problem could occur while moving, especially at higher speeds. I never brought it into the dealership. A friend of my had no problem, but brought it into the dealer anyway, and the column locked up afterwards even though they were supposed to have fixed it. What actually did GM do wrong with this column, and how come even when repaired it could still lock up? What's in the mechanism that goes bad?

I know on the 2003 automatics they don't use the column lock. Why don't they go back to the mechanical system that worked so well for so many years? If a professional wants to steal the car, believe me, he's going to get it one way or another.

I'm really getting a little nervous, because even if I bring it in, there's no guarantee it's 100%. How do you feel about the column lock bypass that you can purchase now. It's put out by Corvettes of Houston. It's $100 and it's called the steering lock simulator kit.. I found the website and posted the link . What does this simulator actually do? They also show instructions on installing this kit on a site I found. See link below.

Column Lock Bypass kit (http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html)

Mike, I'd appreciate any feedback you can give me.

[z06joe]

Hello Mr Kotze,

I too am concerned about the column lock on my Z06. What actually happens to cause this. I brought mine in to get fixed and it's on my mind that its not for sure that it won't do it again. Should I be taking some other precautions like a bypass kit, since I hear so many complaining that the fix didn't work. I'm afraid to take my kid for a ride now. Thanks Mike!

[butler]

Wow! I can't believe you guys brought this up. I have been thinking about this problem and reading about it alot lately.

I read something on another forum but it sounds as if most of the members talking about it don't know **** from shinola. They're talking about weather and heat or cold effecting it. Makes no sense. They sound like a bunch of clowns.

I'm out of warranty with mine. Is it actually a callback? I've been hearing a lot about the bypass. Does it really work?

When you disengage the column lock with the cigar 12 volt adapter that they give you in the kit and the column unlocks, and then they tell you to plug in the bypass box and then mount, is the steering column mechanism staying hot all the time, so it stays disengaged? It's a little confusing. Maybe once you see it you can figure it out. Have you installed one of these kits yet?

[vincec5]

Oh boy, something else to worry about. You've got my curiousity going now. I would sure like to know if I'm in a potentially dangerous situation and what I can actually do about. Since the company isn't really doing anything about it, we need to take control of the situation on our own.

Do you install them Mike?

[DavisZR1]

I know some guys are taking the complete lock housing out of their steering columns and reprogramming the computer somehow on their Z06's. They mention something about reprogramming it to read it as an automatic. I'm not really sure, but I'll try to find out.

[ttop70]

I had a friend of mine that has a 2001 and he had it repaired, and he has the same problem again. What's up with this? It's really scary.