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Electric Steering Wheel Lock Fault

201K views 93 replies 52 participants last post by  Senatla Reetsang 
#1 ·
Hi

On the way home this evening a red warning light "steering wheel with a pad lock on the top left corner" came on, after parking at home I got the manual out and found that this is an Electric steering-wheel lock fault and now the car will not start.
Does anyone have any ideas or will I need to be tow to the BMW dealer?
Regards
 
#67 ·
My E60 is a 55 plate. To get the software update, they need to have the right equipment. Fortunately, my usual BMW garage forwarded me on to another BMW specialist who had the hardware to do it. I may be guessing but it could be that your garage doesn't have the right equipment to do it hence the £1k steering column replacement option being suggested.

I want to say that it was Autologic equipment that they used but I could be wrong.

I am no car expert :dunno:
 
#68 · (Edited)
Hi,

Ive just had the stearing lock fault pop up. Everything works fine, wheel locks once the fob is removed, car starts fine. Anyone tried disconnecting the battery for 24hrs see if the fault clears? Or does that not work!?! Dont really want to fork out a load of cash when everythig seems to work fine...Its a 57 plate..

Cheers!
 
#69 ·
Steering Lock Fault

Same fault indication on a 57 plate 520d. Put it into my local BMW specialist who have done my servicing for the last 7 years and they put it on the computer and after two days it came out with the fault cleared. Claimed they had to reload updated software several times before fault cleared. Have had it back 2 days and so far OK. They charged just less than £100 which considering how long they had it for I do not think I can complain. Certainly cheaper than buying a new steering column at £1000 plus.
 
#76 ·
Hi

On the way home this evening a red warning light "steering wheel with a pad lock on the top left corner" came on, after parking at home I got the manual out and found that this is an Electric steering-wheel lock fault and now the car will not start.
Does anyone have any ideas or will I need to be tow to the BMW dealer?
Regards
don,t worry, buddy! I´ve got same issue, but ignored it anyway. Not neccessary to replace column. I´ve heard of a simple trick, if the fault remains: After dismounting the steering cover, apply kind of spray grease on the mechanical parts of the steering lock, thats the way saving PST 500, I guess!!
Cheers Jochen
 
#79 ·
It seems to be a common problem that may require a new steering column to fix completely. Get your car to the dealer if you've got warranty as soon as possible. If you're lucky they will just have to reset the electronic steering lock. However, if it goes again and again that may require a new steering column.
 
#80 ·
Hi BMdude816,

If you want to pay for nuts, you can go to a BMW dealer. Or you buy the LuPeDi (Google) interface and install the Ediabas Inpa pack, trying to reset the steering SW (will try myself lateron).
Both parts work together if fine you´re following the numerous instructions on the WWW or on Bimmerfest!
 
#83 ·
My wife***8217;s 2006 330 column locked up in our garage with a ELV fault this weekend. Had it towed to local shop, $1013 for new column installed and $125 for recommended software update. Should be done by end of the day. Indy and tow truck driver both stated they***8217;ve seen quite a few of these, dealer stated the opposite.
 
#85 ·
BMW is Recalling Cars for the steering lock problem-

http://news.cincinnati.com/usatoday/article/1924627

DETROIT (AP) - BMW is recalling almost 570,000 cars in the U.S. and Canada because a battery cable connector can fail and cause the engines to stall.

The recall affects the popular 3-Series sedans, wagons, convertibles and coupes from the 2007 through 2011 model years. Also included are 1-Series coupes and convertibles from 2008 through 2012, and the Z4 sports car from 2009 through 2011.

The cable connectors and a fuse box terminal in the cars can degrade over time, and that can break the electrical connection between the trunk-mounted battery and the fuse box at the front. If that happens, the cars could lose electrical power, causing the engines to stall unexpectedly, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents posted on its website Saturday.

The company says in documents sent to the NHTSA that the problem stems from movement between the battery cable and the fuse box.

BMW says it knows of one minor collision in Canada due to the problem, but no injuries.

The German automaker says dealers will replace the battery cable connector and secure it for free. It will start notifying owners in March.

The 3-Series is BMW's most popular car in the U.S., dominating the small luxury car market. The company sold nearly 100,000 of them in the U.S. last year.

The recall affects more than 504,000 cars in the U.S. and another 65,000 in Canada.

BMW, Toyota and other automakers have experienced large recalls in recent years because they use common parts on multiple models in order to save money.

Owners can call BMW with questions at (800) 525-7417.
 
#86 ·
Just for info I have had the red steering lock fault on my 2007 325 coupe. Last year I had the alarm up and continued to drive it without problem for about 4 months until I had the alarm reset by a friend at BMW dealership. He said that if the alarm comes up again I will have to get a new steering column. About 2 months later the alarm came back and I continued to drive it for about a month until one day the steering lock wouldn't release and I couldn't put it into neutral or start the engine. I have had the steering column replaced which which has released the steering lock but I need to replace the c.a.s unit as this is still showing the fault and preventing the car from starting! I've paid £600 so far (bmw wanted over £1000) and will have to pay for the c.a.s unit once it has been installed. I will register my complaint on the website mentioned earlier in in this thread. Don't know whether to get shut now? Just hope the girlfriends 1 series doesn't do the same!!
 
#87 ·
Help with 2007 525i Steering Wheel Lock Problem

Greetings from Texas. I own a 2007 525i that will not start due to the steering wheel lock malfunction. I live in a rural area of Texas, not near a BMW authorized mechanic. I have a mechanic that can work on the vehicle, he tells me that I need a "ELV Emulator"/Electric Steering wheel lock. I have researched and have determined that I will need to purchase the entire steering column. I have found used ones online. I plan to sell the vehicle as soon as it is repaired. My question is, if I buy this part online, does it need to be coded for my particular vehicle? My vehicle is at the mechanics shop now, unfortunately, he does not have the BMW programming computer. Since the vehicle will not start, I am somewhat stuck. Suggestions please. I appreciate any help. Thank you
 
#88 ·
1. Once the steering wheel is locked in status display as red steering wheel symbol and can't start the engine, the error code is memorized in some secrete memory location not within the steering wheel electronic board, you replace it with a new steering column, it does not help, you need to clear the memory by the Programming tool (or dealer tool), Bavarian tool cannot fix it.
2. If your steering wheel had been showing up with yellow steering wheel lock symbol and can start the engine, it can be fixed if you plug in the ELV emulator, you need to use Bavarian tool to reset the yellow Steering lock symbol, sometimes you can not reset it because it was tripped by the high error counter value but starting the engine will not be a problem.
3. Another way is removed the old steering wheel lock following the beginning of this thread and clean the sand/grid debris from inside the lock, grease it with silicone grease first, then if the RED steering wheel symbol lock status you need the Dealer tool to reset secrete memory location ($150) , with the yellow steering lock symbol if you can start the engine, this fix can last for 30K miles and you need to clean it again. The Bavarian tool can reset it but the yellow symbol may come back.


Bchuong58
 
#93 ·
1. Once the steering wheel is locked in status display as red steering wheel symbol and can't start the engine, the error code is memorized in some secrete memory location not within the steering wheel electronic board, you replace it with a new steering column, it does not help, you need to clear the memory by the Programming tool (or dealer tool), Bavarian tool cannot fix it.
2. If your steering wheel had been showing up with yellow steering wheel lock symbol and can start the engine, it can be fixed if you plug in the ELV emulator, you need to use Bavarian tool to reset the yellow Steering lock symbol, sometimes you can not reset it because it was tripped by the high error counter value but starting the engine will not be a problem.
3. Another way is removed the old steering wheel lock following the beginning of this thread and clean the sand/grid debris from inside the lock, grease it with silicone grease first, then if the RED steering wheel symbol lock status you need the Dealer tool to reset secrete memory location ($150) , with the yellow steering lock symbol if you can start the engine, this fix can last for 30K miles and you need to clean it again. The Bavarian tool can reset it but the yellow symbol may come back.

Bchuong58
Hi,
I had this issue last week. The steering wheel came on and the car was unable to start. We removed the lock and installed an Emulator. Removed the error code and now the car starts without any hesitation. BUT the light/error came back again and this time the car starts but the error remains on. What is the permanent solution to this?
 
#89 ·
Locked steering wheel after incorrect tow

Hi,
I got the red default warning, unable to start my car after it was incorrectly towed( needs flat bed). I noticed that my wheels were acutely turned to the right and this was the position it was stuck in. I placed the key back in the ignition, turned the car on and turned the steering wheel straight. It didn't go far, very difficult, I believe it was just a jiggle to unlock it.
 
#90 ·
Its called the ELV steering column,,,,,the. ELV is built into the steering column on some BMW models,,,,that's when you have to replace the whole steering column,,,,,the early 3 series 06-07 had a lot of problems,,,,,there nothing you can do,,,,the ELV is a electric switch that just happens to lock the steering column and will not unlock it,,,,,,,bmwtechnician
 
#91 ·
Hi everyone. So my 17yr old son saved up his money and bought himself a 3 series bmw as his very first car! ( think he did it because I had a great 328i for years without any problems). It is a 2007 323i with 81,000 km on the clock. A great buy we thought.
Anyway, the engine was missing slightly so before I could change the plugs he took it on himself to take it to the bmw dealer who charged him $230 to test it. When it came out of the shop the red steering wheel lock warning light has come on. They said he'd have to pay to get it tested again to find out why!
I stepped in and spoke to the manager who later agreed to do another diagnosis test for free, to see why the red light is now on. We'd never seen it before it went in. He said that from his experience it'll probably need the steering column replaced and gave me a quote. $1500! How can my son pay for this?
Is there a better way by now of sorting this I wonder, since this thread has been going on for years!!!
 
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