Welcome to 97vette.com
    Devoted to the C5 Corvette!
     
     

    HOW TO install the Column Lock Bypass sold by C5Solutions
    Installing The Bypass


    Column Lock Home
    Preparation
    Interior Removal
    Installing The Bypass
    Testing The Bypass
    Interior Installation

     

    Now, you are ready for the electrical work.
     

    Identify the harness containing the BLACK, GREEN, ORANGE and PURPLE wires.  Please note that the 4 wires are located towards the left/upperleft side of the steering column.  Some folks find it easier to look under the steering column from the left side once the knee bolster has been removed and locate the black, green, orange, and purple wires and follow them down.
     

    Your best work can be performed while working under the dash.  You can see the connector, in the upper middle screen shot (with green wire closest to you).  The connector is attached to the metal bar under the dash.  Be very careful of the large yellow cable.  This controls your air bag.  Do not cut or disconnect it by accident.
     

    Position your fingers on the bottom side of the connector, gently pulling down on the wire harness.  Then, place a flat blade screwdriver on the right side of the connector.  Release the connector by prying the retainer to the right.  Pry gently, as this retainer will later hold the connector from the column lock bypass.  The connector should release.
     

    Pull the connector down and away.
     

    Comparing the C5Solutions bypass connector to the vehicle's connector, you can see that they are the same.
     

    Next, turn the vehicle's column lock connector so that the ORANGE and PURPLE wires are facing you.  These are the wires that you will connect 12 Volts to, in order to force the column to unlock.
     

    Use the supplied 12 Volt cigar adapter to unlock the column.  There is a stripe on one wire of  the 12 Volt adapter, which identifies the positive or HOT lead.  The plain black wire is the negative or GROUND lead.  Strip about 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of the adapter which will be used to insert the wires into connector, but don't allow these 2 leads to touch!  Plug the adapter into the cigar lighter.  Then, simultaneously connect the HOT lead to the PURPLE wire connection, and the GROUND lead to the ORANGE wire connection.  You should hear the column lock retract.  Promptly disconnect the adapter from the cigar lighter.  A safer way to disengage the lock would be to hold the adapter leads and connector together while having a friend insert, and quickly remove, the adapter from the cigar lighter.
     

    Now, check to see if you got it right by turning the steering wheel.  If the wheel is still locked try the above step again.  If you cannot get the column to unlock, check to make sure your HOT and GROUND leads are touching the right parts of the connector.  Also, check to make sure you didn't blow a fuse, by accidentally allowing the adapter leads to touch each other.  Some 12 Volt adapters include a fuse in the plastic piece that slides into the vehicle's cigar lighter.  Check that fuse along with your vehicle's fuses in case your shorted the system out.
     

    Now, slip the column bypass connector into the existing vehicle harness which is attached to the metal bar under the dash.  It should snap into place.
     

    Looking into the dash, from the driver's side, you can see where I mounted the bypass box.  I attached the box to the metal "well" that encases the steering column with the double stick adhesive attached to the bottom side of the bypass box.
     

    Now, secure the existing harness to other under dash wiring.  I used a zip tie.
     
     


    NEXT >