[Kodak]

Recently, when I went to start my car, it failed to start and a red/yellow steering wheel showed up, I tried starting it again, taking the key out, putting it back in, stepping on the brake, turning the steering wheel, nothing, after about a minute or so, I tried again and it started.

This about the 2nd time this has happened within the week. I have attached two photos from my cell of the symbols.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Dracon]

It's the steering wheel lock failure message. It's something that plagued the early E90's. BMW wound up eventually removing the lock altogether in newer cars.

Do a search for "steering wheel lock" and you'll find everything you need.

[Kodak]

Just wanted to give an update, I took it to BMW dealer in White Plains,NY for inspection, and apparently it wasn't a steering wheel lock failure,it only needed a new battery and I haven't had the problem since. So for anyone who might be having this error, 'first' check to see that the battery is working at capacity.
Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Kodak

Recently, when I went to start my car, it failed to start and a red/yellow steering wheel showed up, I tried starting it again, taking the key out, putting it back in, stepping on the brake, turning the steering wheel, nothing, after about a minute or so, I tried again and it started.

This about the 2nd time this has happened within the week. I have attached two photos from my cell of the symbols.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Three_thirty_I]

Have had this message on random occasions, but bit more frequently more recently - even had my key fob go out of sync with the dash board. It's as if when you accidentally insert or remove the key fob too quickly it doesn't register, then you sit with the key fob inserted but the dash board doesn't pick it up, or you have the key fob removed but the dash board thinks it is inserted. Only way to correct this is to intentionally insert or remove the key fob quickly to "re-trick" it back to normal, if that makes sense. Very strange!! LOL

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by Three_thirty_I

Have had this message on random occasions, but bit more frequently more recently - even had my key fob go out of sync with the dash board. It's as if when you accidentally insert or remove the key fob too quickly it doesn't register, then you sit with the key fob inserted but the dash board doesn't pick it up, or you have the key fob removed but the dash board thinks it is inserted. Only way to correct this is to intentionally insert or remove the key fob quickly to "re-trick" it back to normal, if that makes sense. Very strange!! LOL

As mentioned it's the battery not having enough strength to trigger the unlock. So overtime your problem will get worse. If you're in warranty they will reprogram the car, if no warranty just get a car battery recharger/

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by samchoi604

As mentioned it's the battery not having enough strength to trigger the unlock. So overtime your problem will get worse. If you're in warranty they will reprogram the car, if no warranty just get a car battery recharger/

Car is still under warranty - when you say reprogram, you mean they can disable the steering lock? From what I've read, in most cases they just replace the steering column if this becomes a problem. But that's a bit extreme if they can simply permanently disable via the software.

Thanks, car is due for it's last motorplan (service/warranty plan) in Jan '12...

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by Three_thirty_I

Car is still under warranty - when you say reprogram, you mean they can disable the steering lock? From what I've read, in most cases they just replace the steering column if this becomes a problem. But that's a bit extreme if they can simply permanently disable via the software.

Thanks, car is due for it's last motorplan (service/warranty plan) in Jan '12...

I had the proble before and they just did a software update which allowed the wheel unlock even when the voltage is low. I rather they do that than replace the column..

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by samchoi604

I had the proble before and they just did a software update which allowed the wheel unlock even when the voltage is low. I rather they do that than replace the column..

+1!! Thanks! Will see what they do.

[ska///235i]

trust me if you got a 2006 e90, the steering wheel lock will fail eventually

dont make the same mistake i did...if you're still under warranty, get the steering column replace

[kevin bowen]

Guys. Do a search under my name for my posts. I've written a lot about this recent days. Let me know if you have any questions.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

trust me if you got a 2006 e90, the steering wheel lock will fail eventually

dont make the same mistake i did...if you're still under warranty, get the steering column replace

Yes do that. Replace it before warranty is finished. I belive there is a RECALL on this? Not sure but dealership replaced mine free like 3-4 years ago. Thanks

[ska///235i]

was there really a recall? i had to pay $900

[Three_thirty_I]

My car has to go in for service this month and just yesterday I got this warning message three times in a row until it eventually worked - this is going to have to be sorted out now!

[Kodak]

Go to Post #3, I had the same problem and it turned out all I needed was a battery, so check that first.

Originally Posted by Three_thirty_I

My car has to go in for service this month and just yesterday I got this warning message three times in a row until it eventually worked - this is going to have to be sorted out now!

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by Kodak

Go to Post #3, I had the same problem and it turned out all I needed was a battery, so check that first.

Thanks! May very well be the case, not sure how old the current battery is, and this has happened a few times in the past but all of a sudden more recently - yesterday being the first time where it did it a few times in a row.

By accidentally inserting or removing the key fob a bit too quickly I have had it happen that it doesn't register what I have done and you end up with the key fob in your hand but the ignition on, or vice versa... So I always insert or remove the key fob slowly to prevent this - maybe related to the battery as well??

[Chriztofor]

Well I too was experiencing this, but instead of replacing the battery I recharged it, so far so good and it has been a year.

[queensfield]

[QUOTE=Three_thirty_I;11110713]Thanks! May very well be the case, not sure how old the current battery is, and this has happened a few times in the past but all of a sudden more recently - yesterday being the first time where it did it a few times in a row.QUOTE]

You can easily check how old the battery is. Look at the numbers on the battery negative terminal (may need a flashlight). It would have 4 digits printed if it is the original white BMW battery- the first two digits mean the week and the last two digits mean the year. Example- 49 05 means 49th week of 2005.

[Three_thirty_I]

Thanks! Will take a look at the battery to see it's age.