Sounds like a column lock recall problem.
Now theres a couple of things I will mention here. First, if you have a custom tune done to your car when they reflash the PCM according to the bulletin, your custom tune will be gone. Second, there is a kit called a "Column Lock Bypass Kit" that a lot of people install that remedies the problem. I would call a dealer with your VIN handy and see if the bulletin was ever done. There are many pros and cons about doing the recall so you might want to do some research on the net before you have it done. Also you might want to check the condition of your battery, if it is weak or on it's way out it might cause this.
And lastly if your wheel locks and you can't unlock it try this;
To unlock the column do the following:
1. Grab wheel with right hand and pull the wheel to the right as hard as you can.
2. Reach over with your left hand and turn the ignition key.
This should unlock the column
MODELS:
1997-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1997-2000 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION – EUROPEAN EXPORT
VEHICLES ONLY
DESCRIPTION:
PRODUCT SAFETY #04006C
DATED: FEBRUARY 8, 2006
IMPORTANT:
THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04006B, ISSUED NOVEMBER 2004. THE SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR U.S. VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REVISED. PLEASE REVIEW THIS NEW INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY.
ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 04006B SHOULD BE DESTROYED.
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1997-2004 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. When you remove the ignition key, the electronic column lock (ECL) system prevents turning of the steering wheel. When the vehicle is started, it unlocks the steering. Two conditions can prevent steering while the vehicle is moving:
1. The vehicle is designed so that if the column fails to unlock when the vehicle is started, the fuel supply will be shut off if the driver tries to move the vehicle. If voltage at the powertrain control module is low or interrupted, however, the fuel shut off may not occur and the vehicle can be accelerated while the steering is locked.
2. During quick cranks, the ECL lock pin may not withdraw fully and, in vehicles where there is abnormally low clearance to the lock plate, there may be contact between the pin and lock plate. This can cause a noise or ratcheting when the steering wheel is turned or, if there is insufficient clearance, the steering wheel cannot be turned.
If one of these conditions occurs, a crash could occur without warning.
CORRECTION:
Dealers are to remove the column lock plate on U.S. and Canadian vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and U.S. vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. After the service correction, the steering column will no longer lock when the key is removed.
On Canadian and export vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, and export vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, Dealers are to 1) reprogram the PCM, and 2) verify there is adequate lock plate clearance and, if necessary, replace the lock plate. After the service correction, the steering column will continue to lock when the key is removed.
Refer to the Product Safety Bulletin #04006C for further information.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Owner mailing is scheduled to begin February 15, 2006.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO – Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO – Customer Special Order.
The Parts list follows:
Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle
89023816 Harness Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk Shorting (US manuals and all automatics except export vehicles) 1
88952428 Wire Kit, Strg Whl Theft Dtrnt Lk (1998-2000 Canadian and export manuals & export automatics) 1 (If Req'd)
26056108 Nut, Strg Whl 1 (If Req'd)
26094767 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (Canadian manuals) 1 (If Req'd)
88964588 Plate, Strg Shf Lk (Export vehicles) 1 (If Req'd)
05694191 Ring, Strg Shf Lk Plt Ret 1
More info
1998-2000 Corvette Recall - Corvette Electronic Column Lock
GM Service Operations DCS851
Urgent - Distribute Immediately
Date: September 6, 2001
Subject: 01044A - Customer Satisfaction Campaign Corvette Electronic Column Lock
Models: 1998-2000 Corvette
To: All Chevrolet Dealers
Attn: Service Managers, Parts Managers, and Warranty Administrators: This bulletin supercedes and replaces campaign bulletin 01044 issued July, 2001. The service procedures have been revised along with the schematic for all manual transmission vehicles and export only automatic transmission vehicles. The steering wheel nut part number has been added to the part information table and the part count in the claim table has been adjusted accordingly.
This campaign is in effect through July 01, 2003.
****************************************************
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the electronic column lock may not function as intended. The condition could result in the failure of the steering column to unlock during initial key-in and start-up. Should the column fail to unlock, the engine will stop running if the vehicle starts to move.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952427 for automatic transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada or repair kit PN 88952428 for all manual transmission Corvettes in the US & Canada. For Corvettes sold in all other countries, both manual and automatic, dealers are to install repair kit PN 88952428.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1998-2000 Corvette model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:
YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT FROM THROUGH
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green W5123355 thru
W5131069
1999 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green X5100001 thru
X5133283
2000 Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green Y5100001 thru
Y5116233
IMPORTANT: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.
MAILING INFORMATION
Dealer mailings will begin on September 6, 2001.
GMVIS INFORMATION
GMVIS information is currently available.
GM SERVICE OPERATIONS
Complete bulletin here at
http://corvetteforum.net/c5/kenficht...olumn_lock.pdf