Random steering wheel locking

[bigskinney]

2021 Yukon Denali 6.2 premium pkg. steering randomly refuses to unlock. Motor will start, transmission works, no binding in steering linkage . no error code ( I have code reader) disconnecting battery doesn’t help. The first time it happened I kept starting and stopping engine and opening door so that solenoid would engage and disengage. It finally , reluctantly, partially disengaged ( I could still feel the tip of solenoid rubbing against locking plate. After a few more starting and stopping that rubbing went away and everything seemed normal. Two days later it did it again. I removed steering wheel trying to find locking plate (like on older models) but discovered that it had been re-engineered. Since it had locked up in mall parking lot I reassembled it so I could get it on a rollback but lo an behold it had unlocked itself. I cannot discern which fuses control that module or even if it would run if I could find the correct ones. Is there any way to disable it . I enjoy some of the new electronics but really miss the days when I could fix Anything that broke.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

I am with you on the electronics added make it more complicated to personally troubleshoot, but unfortunately, I cannot personally assist you with your issue. But other members of this Forum much more knowledgeable than me in this area will chime in.

 

[bigskinney]

Thanks Joseph , no pics , it’s my daughters car in Hendersonville tenn. I’m back home in bowling green ky

 

[KMeloney]

2021 Yukon Denali 6.2 premium pkg. steering randomly refuses to unlock. Motor will start, transmission works, no binding in steering linkage . no error code ( I have code reader) disconnecting battery doesn’t help. The first time it happened I kept starting and stopping engine and opening door so that solenoid would engage and disengage. It finally , reluctantly, partially disengaged ( I could still feel the tip of solenoid rubbing against locking plate. After a few more starting and stopping that rubbing went away and everything seemed normal. Two days later it did it again. I removed steering wheel trying to find locking plate (like on older models) but discovered that it had been re-engineered. Since it had locked up in mall parking lot I reassembled it so I could get it on a rollback but lo an behold it had unlocked itself. I cannot discern which fuses control that module or even if it would run if I could find the correct ones. Is there any way to disable it . I enjoy some of the new electronics but really miss the days when I could fix Anything that broke.

Is the truck being parked with the wheels fully turned one direction? I can't help with how to remedy the situation (other than you needing to really crank on the wheel to free up the lock), but will say that you should avoid ever shutting the engine off while the wheels are fully turned.

If this condition occurs when the wheels are straight, then I have no idea what the issue could be. Might require a trip to the dealer.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Is the truck being parked with the wheels fully turned one direction? I can't help with how to remedy the situation (other than you needing to really crank on the wheel to free up the lock), but will say that you should avoid ever shutting the engine off while the wheels are fully turned.

If this condition occurs when the wheels are straight, then I have no idea what the issue could be. Might require a trip to the dealer.

OP Said there was "no binding in the steering column" and was astute enough to remove the steering wheel, guessing he is "experienced" enough to know to jiggle the wheel if it is bound up...

There must be a way to run the truck without it, my vehicle is a 2022 and it came from the factory with "Steering Column Lock Delete" and a $50 credit for the trouble. Perhaps unplug the solenoid when the thing is unlocked...and move on? Not sure if this will throw a code or not...

Or, replace this? Looksl ike it needs programming to function though...part is cheap enough.

https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts/gm-column-lock-module-13534627?c=Zz1zdGVlcmluZyZzPXN0ZWVyaW5nLWNvbHVtbi1hc3NlbWJseSZsPTMmbj1Bc3NlbWJsaWVzIFBhZ2UmYT1jaGV2cm9sZXQmbz10YWhvZSZ5PTIwMjEmdD1sdCZlPTUtM2wtdjgtZ2Fz

 

[KMeloney]

OP Said there was "no binding in the steering column" and was astute enough to remove the steering wheel, guessing he is "experienced" enough to know to jiggle the wheel if it is bound up...

Probably. Obviously I'm not, though. lol In the meantime, there may be others who happen upon this thread who aren't (and don't know the conditions that tend to cause the lock-out).

I'm interested in knowing what conditions "caused" this problem, and of course am interested in hearing the ultimate remedy for him.

 

[bigskinney]

Thanks so much guys , yeah I’m familiar with the steering wheel jiggle , dna on this deal. Mike three, for 35 bucks I’d gladly replace module…… if I knew where it’s at. Can’t seem to find a parts website that shows location, gotta be on column somewhere. Have a dealer appointment fri morn. I’ll discuss the delete option with service manager, although he probably don’t know beans

 

[KMeloney]

Were the wheels fully turned each time this lock-up has occurred? Or has it occurred with the wheels straight?

 

[bigskinney]

Wheels were straight when ea. Lockup occured

 

[KMeloney]

Wheels were straight when ea. Lockup occured

That's especially bizarre. Let us know what you find out.

 

[bigskinney]

I could not get truck to dealership cause it locked up again and so far I have been unable to make it let go. Call Morgan & Morgan? New steering assembly is about 350.00. If I replace it does anyone know if the new assembly will require any programming?

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

I could not get truck to dealership cause it locked up again and so far I have been unable to make it let go. Call Morgan & Morgan? New steering assembly is about 350.00. If I replace it does anyone know if the new assembly will require any programming?

Not sure if this will help:

I bought a new 1999 Corvette coupe. It had the new electronic steering column lock feature.

Soon after purchase, while driving in a rural area of Kentucky and stopping, the steering column locked and would not unlock when starting the car.

I had to have the vehicle flat-bed towed to a dealer and my trip was ruined. The column lock assembly was replaced after several days, and I continued.

Later, GM issued several safety recalls for the steering column lock on the C5 Corvette models. The recall involved the dealer disconnecting the feature, so the column lock no longer worked (but the customer paid for the feature in the new car price....).

I did a lot of reading online about the issue. Many Corvette owners posted that when their car battery became weak or marginal, the steering column lock feature would not unlock. Many stored their vehicles overwinter, and some did not use a battery tender.

A long story - but is there a chance the battery on the truck is marginal or weak? Is it the original battery?

A weak battery MAY prevent the column lock from unlocking on your daughter’s truck?

I have been driving and working on cars for more than 50 years. I have often seen people say their battery “has to be good” as it is only *** years old - but it is the cause of their problem.

A weak or marginal battery can car all sorts of vehicle problems. Perhaps your daughter can replace the battery if original, or is a cheap replacement one?

 

[Stbentoak]

Good advice above^.. Vehicle is beginning to be in the range of a new battery... Have it load tested with a digital load tester. You may be surprised.
When anything is wonky/unexplainable... battery is the 1st thing to check.

 

[NELLY1947]

2021 Yukon Denali 6.2 premium pkg. steering randomly refuses to unlock. Motor will start, transmission works, no binding in steering linkage . no error code ( I have code reader) disconnecting battery doesn’t help. The first time it happened I kept starting and stopping engine and opening door so that solenoid would engage and disengage. It finally , reluctantly, partially disengaged ( I could still feel the tip of solenoid rubbing against locking plate. After a few more starting and stopping that rubbing went away and everything seemed normal. Two days later it did it again. I removed steering wheel trying to find locking plate (like on older models) but discovered that it had been re-engineered. Since it had locked up in mall parking lot I reassembled it so I could get it on a rollback but lo an behold it had unlocked itself. I cannot discern which fuses control that module or even if it would run if I could find the correct ones. Is there any way to disable it . I enjoy some of the new electronics but really miss the days when I could fix Anything that broke.

Maybe. if you are parked on a hill and turn your wheel really hard then turn off the ignition. Sometimes it will lockbon the last pin/notch. from there it can be a bit$& to get it out of that spot