SERVICE COLUMN LOCK

JetJock

CCCUK Member
I think I've found a fix to this warning caption, which disables engine start. DON'T TOUCH THE STEERING WHEEL between shut-down and re-start! MOT tomorrow, and I'm concerned that, if they have trouble starting it, they'll fail it. Any other suggestions?
EDIT: Further on this: It's motoring the steering wheel in and out from the dashboard that seems to cause the problem, while the engine is not running. Disabling AUTO EXIT RECALL should enable me to start the engine before moving the steering wheel, and move the wheel before shutdown.
 
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teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Have the dealer history done as to your VIN # and see if all TSBs and recalls were done

You do not mention what year your C6 is
There was a GM recall for 05-06 C6s

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
CHEVROLET / CORVETTE 2005-2006
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr's Report Date: APR 26, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V172000
EA09002
NHTSA Action Number: EA09002
Component: STEERING:COLUMN
Potential Number of Units Affected: 40028
Summary:
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2004 AND JANUARY 2006 EQUIPPED WITH A TILT AND TELESCOPING STEERING COLUMN (RPO N37).

IN RARE CASES, REPEATED MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN MAY CAUSE A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION WITHIN THE COLUMN.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE MESSAGE, "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" WILL APPEAR IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER, AND ONE OR MORE OF THE BRAKES MAY APPLY, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT.

Consequence:
IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE CHANGE IN VEHICLE MOVEMENT, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy:
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE.
THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT www.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Also, I have seen C6s where movement of steering column causes stress to the SWS connector and wiring pins.
Check that steering wheel sensor and wiring connector is fully plugged in and free slack to that wiring

Another federal recall was reported

For whatever reason I still see a confusion in what the column lock recall does and how it is different depending on which transmission the car has.

1. Being the A4 has 3 locks (key, steering wheel and shifter) GM could completely do away with the CL since the shifter still locks.
2. Being the Mx6's do not have a shifter lock the CL still had to be functional.
3. The real issue is the Feds or GM really can care less about a CL, they were concerned that Mx6 cars could be started and drive while steering wheel was locked so it required that the PCM software be rewritten to assure the PCM did not command the fuel injectors on.
4. The 1st software fix was found to have a flaw in that if the car is started with low battery voltage the PCM would go into a "limp" mode and still command fuel, so GM did a 2nd software fix to assure under no conditions PCM command fuel on.

So in the end the Mx6 CL recall does not fix the CL itself but rather protects lawsuits of a locked steering wheel allowing car to be in motion and cause a crash where for the A4 car they could fix the CL issue by taking it off and still have a lock function of the auto shifter.

Make: CHEVROLET
Model: CORVETTE
Affected Year(s): 1997 through 2007
Units Affected: 5132
TC Recall #: 2004052
Campaign Code: 04006

Recall Details
On certain vehicles equipped with Electronic Column Lock systems (ECL), when the ignition switch is turned to "Lock", the ECL prevents turning of the steering system.

When the vehicle is started, the ECL unlocks the steering system. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started and the customer tries to drive, the fuel supply will be shut off so that the vehicle cannot move when the vehicle cannot be steered.

If voltage at the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is low or interrupted, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering system is locked.

Correction: On vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the dealer will disable the steering column lock by removing the column lock plate.
When the ignition key is removed, the transmission shifter will lock, but the steering column will not lock.
On vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, the dealer will reprogram the PCM.
The steering column on these vehicles will continue to lock when the key is removed

Owners could pull the steering wheel off and take out the CL plate to prevent steering wheel getting locked with no way to unlock it
 

JetJock

CCCUK Member
Thanks, Z
I believe that all recalls have been performed on this 2005, UK market, manual gearbox car. But I will try to check further.
Experiment has shown that motoring the steering wheel fore / aft with the engine shut down is causing the problem, about 50% of the time.
I have disabled the automatic movement of seat / wheel, and the car starts well now, so long as I follow my personal protocol of not moving the wheel for / aft before engine start.
I routinely turn off the traction control, which I think removes any risk of the active handling system (which I don't think is fitted anyway) causing a brake to be applied.
I will check for loose wiring at the wheel lock, if I can.
Thanks again.
 
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