ELV Blocked

BenMW · 06-17-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieA

Hasn't happened again since, touch wood...

That sounds funny... Maybe "Knock on Wood"

Anyways...this happened on my GF's 325i pre september build after a few minutes it worked

bimmer4me · 06-17-2006, 08:35 PM

The ELV Steering Wheel problem just happened to me last week. I kept turning the steering wheel and trying to start the car. After 2 or 3 minutes the car finally started. I received the car in October 2005 and this is the only time it's happened to me. Let's hope it's the last.

JamieA · 06-19-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMW

That sounds funny... Maybe "Knock on Wood"

Anyways...this happened on my GF's 325i pre september build after a few minutes it worked

"Touch wood" is an Aussie version. I don't pick on your Americanisms buddy

rudyg · 07-20-2006, 06:23 PM

This ELV steering wheel problem happened to me today- April 2006 build, delivered in June. I had to get out of the car, lock the car with CA, unlock it, and then it started. I guess it is still a problem with the latest software (I think I have the latest software update).

robertb · 07-20-2006, 06:40 PM

I've got a 4/05 production 330i and only had this occur in the past couple of months. The couple of times it happened, I noticed that I was pulling the steering wheel to one side. It seemed to cause the lock to bind when releasing. I think there must be some sort of mechanism that won't fully disengage and causes the fault. I was able to get the car started by moving the wheel, removing key, opening and closing door, and starting over again. I've made a point not to hold the steering wheel when inserting the key and I've not had the problem since. Knock on my Natural Poplar wood

But this is irritating and should be addressed by BMW. Since I've not been doing anything differently and am only now having the problem leads me to think the solenoid is weakening and will probably only get worse with age. Maybe it needs lubricating???

poldim · 07-20-2006, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertb

I've got a 4/05 production 330i and only had this occur in the past couple of months. The couple of times it happened, I noticed that I was pulling the steering wheel to one side. It seemed to cause the lock to bind when releasing. I think there must be some sort of mechanism that won't fully disengage and causes the fault. I was able to get the car started by moving the wheel, removing key, opening and closing door, and starting over again. I've made a point not to hold the steering wheel when inserting the key and I've not had the problem since. Knock on my Natural Poplar wood

But this is irritating and should be addressed by BMW. Since I've not been doing anything differently and am only now having the problem leads me to think the solenoid is weakening and will probably only get worse with age. Maybe it needs lubricating???

I agree that its not a software problem. I think this is something mechanical thats causing the computer to think something that it shouldn't. What that could be, I have no idea.

sunchild · 07-20-2006, 11:55 PM

Happens to me daily. Only after I lost my first set of keys, it happens only on my 2nd set now... which is all i have.

txusa03 · 07-21-2006, 07:26 AM

I am starting to get this more and more now after my car got the recall programming done and I also had a new key fob. Have no idea why but could be the new program or the new key fob. It is not as easy as many have described, you have to release and insert the key and move the locked steering wheel several attempt before it goes away. PITA (pain in the a&&).

Brien Crotty · 07-21-2006, 07:51 AM

I've had it happen once. I got the car at the end of June, and it arrived from Germany about three days prior to that. I don't know what software version I have, or the build date (how do I find those out?).

When it happened to me, I think the car was already started, or if not, the warning went away after about ten seconds, and the car started. Hopefully, it won't happen again.

Brien

racyb · 07-24-2006, 05:54 PM

Had this happen to me for the first time a couple days ago too after owning my pre-sept 06 330i manual for over a year. Nothing has changed it seems like it suddenly reared its ugly head during this Bay Area heat wave.

1) Stick FOB in car
2) Notice a strange rapid succession of clicks
3) Get ELV blocked symbol
4) Can't start car

After a couple of attempts at reinserting FOB, it starts right up. Knowing my luck the dealer won't be able to reproduce the error condition and kick me on my merrily way.

shragon · 07-24-2006, 06:16 PM

i saw it happen for the first time yesterday at a meet. not my car though.

grantn17 · 09-06-2006, 11:42 AM

I took my 325i in last week to fix the ELV warning - they updated my CIP platform and said I was good to go. A few days later the same thing started to happen:

1. Put key fob in
2. Succession of clicking noises from key insert area
3. ELV warning
4. Series of locking and unlocking car allows for eventual start

This is a little ridiculous - how can a company claiming such great engineering not understand a problem and/or know how to fix it?

If anyone knows of a solution please post it here or PM me

racyb · 09-09-2006, 01:43 AM

Follow-up and solution to my problem a couple posts up. Eventually it got worse to the point where I would have to try restarting the car at least 2 times EVERYTIME. Took it into the dealer and they took 5 days to order and replace the steering column. No problems since.

pablob · 11-21-2006, 05:00 PM

Same lock symbol started happening to me a month ago. Got frustrated finally and took it to the dealer. They changed the steering column under warranty. No prolems so far... knock on wood.

driverseven · 11-21-2006, 06:47 PM

It's been happening to me every 5th time or so.. It starts after the 3rd attempt.

I have been trying to ignore it but I guess I better get the steering column replaced before it goes off warranty.

Driv3r · 11-21-2006, 08:38 PM

EVERYONE!:
I found out that it is not the software and infact a defected steering column, and the lock gets stuck sometimes..they have to replace the whole steering column, which they did, its been a month and a half and no problems at all! At the same time i got the software updated.....

bimmer4me · 11-21-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driv3r

EVERYONE!:
I found out that it is not the software and infact a defected steering column, and the lock gets stuck sometimes..they have to replace the whole steering column, which they did, its been a month and a half and no problems at all! At the same time i got the software updated.....

I have very strong sense that you are right about this, but my dealer isn't going to believe you. Do you have some kind of proof, like a service announcement, or anything that I could bring to my dealer. I really don't want them to do the meaningless software update and then have this problem happen to me down the road (no pun intended).

poldim · 11-21-2006, 09:57 PM

likewise, I'd rather get it taken care of now under warranty....

MrSilver · 11-22-2006, 06:13 AM

Ugggg.... I had a CA problem the other day... no pictures though... I couldn't start the car with the fob in my pocket... inserted the fob in the igniktion, wouldn't start, rinse, repeaqt and it started. Only time I've ever had a problem with it though, and haven't had the problem since.

driverseven · 11-22-2006, 10:00 AM

In the ELV problem you get a couple of messages. On the dashboard, directly above the steering wheel, an icon will appear with the letter i inside a square sitting on top of a steering wheel picture. I don't know what you see on non-iDrive cars, but on iDrive, it displays something like this (trying to rememer the exact words) "ELV Malfunction. Move Steering Wheel"

The way it happens for me is.1
1. When key goes in, accessories come on but when I press Start, nothing happens other than the little icon appears.
2. After a few seconds, the icon disappears. I try again and this time, the icon appears and the message appears on iDrive screen. Sometimes I hear a short clicking.
3. I try to move the wheel (as instructed) and it moves but then locks.
4. I try again and this time, it starts.

I had a slightly different version about 6 months ago -- it wouldn't start after trying to move the steering wheel but it started after about 10 minutes passed. I took it in for service and they updated the software. It didn't occur against for about 90 days but now I'm getting it every few days.

Milehigh E90 · 12-04-2006, 09:38 PM

So the ELV thing came and visited me this past weekend! 2 times on Saturday and once on Sunday. Fortunately I was taking my car in for some other service and had the dealer look into this issue as well. I got the "hummmm, never had that one...." line and the No Problem Found.
It happened again tonight and that's when I searched out this tread.
ONCE AGAIN guys and gals thanks for ALL the help.

I'll be taking it back in and getting the steering column replace this time.
Think maybe someone at BMW should link their service/tech bulletins for dealers directly to e90post.com?!:rocks:

BK · 12-05-2006, 10:06 AM

How have the steering column replacements worked out for those who got them? No more frequent ELV messages?

Knock on wood, I haven't had to deal with this issue, but I have to say, it's one of the more frequent "significant" issues that I've seen on this board. So I won't be completely shocked if it were to happen to me one day.

06-17-2006, 08:35 PM	#24
bimmer4me Captain 52 Rep 996 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	The ELV Steering Wheel problem just happened to me last week. I kept turning the steering wheel and trying to start the car. After 2 or 3 minutes the car finally started. I received the car in October 2005 and this is the only time it's happened to me. Let's hope it's the last. __________________ 2006 330i Monaco Blue \| Grey \| Walnut ...Manual \| Sports \| Premium \| Cold \| Nav \| Comfort Access \| PDC \| Sirius \| Sunshade ...M-Tec Steering Wheel \| M-Tec Shifter \| TLC ...Performance Center Delivery \| Oct 14, 2005
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07-20-2006, 06:23 PM	#26
rudyg Captain 1 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	This ELV steering wheel problem happened to me today- April 2006 build, delivered in June. I had to get out of the car, lock the car with CA, unlock it, and then it started. I guess it is still a problem with the latest software (I think I have the latest software update). __________________ 325i: Black Sapphire Metallic\|Steptronic\|ZSP\|CA\|Xenon\|Pwr Seats
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07-20-2006, 06:40 PM	#27
robertb Private First Class 20 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	I've got a 4/05 production 330i and only had this occur in the past couple of months. The couple of times it happened, I noticed that I was pulling the steering wheel to one side. It seemed to cause the lock to bind when releasing. I think there must be some sort of mechanism that won't fully disengage and causes the fault. I was able to get the car started by moving the wheel, removing key, opening and closing door, and starting over again. I've made a point not to hold the steering wheel when inserting the key and I've not had the problem since. Knock on my Natural Poplar wood But this is irritating and should be addressed by BMW. Since I've not been doing anything differently and am only now having the problem leads me to think the solenoid is weakening and will probably only get worse with age. Maybe it needs lubricating???
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-20-2006, 11:55 PM	#29
sunchild Lieutenant 25 Rep 469 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orange County, CAL iTrader: (2)	Happens to me daily. Only after I lost my first set of keys, it happens only on my 2nd set now... which is all i have.
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07-21-2006, 07:26 AM	#30
txusa03 Major General 548 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	I am starting to get this more and more now after my car got the recall programming done and I also had a new key fob. Have no idea why but could be the new program or the new key fob. It is not as easy as many have described, you have to release and insert the key and move the locked steering wheel several attempt before it goes away. PITA (pain in the a&&).
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07-21-2006, 07:51 AM	#31
Brien Crotty Enlisted Member 0 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2009 335i with xDrive Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	I've had it happen once. I got the car at the end of June, and it arrived from Germany about three days prior to that. I don't know what software version I have, or the build date (how do I find those out?). When it happened to me, I think the car was already started, or if not, the warning went away after about ten seconds, and the car started. Hopefully, it won't happen again. Brien
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07-24-2006, 05:54 PM	#32
racyb New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Had this happen to me for the first time a couple days ago too after owning my pre-sept 06 330i manual for over a year. Nothing has changed it seems like it suddenly reared its ugly head during this Bay Area heat wave. 1) Stick FOB in car 2) Notice a strange rapid succession of clicks 3) Get ELV blocked symbol 4) Can't start car After a couple of attempts at reinserting FOB, it starts right up. Knowing my luck the dealer won't be able to reproduce the error condition and kick me on my merrily way.
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07-24-2006, 06:16 PM	#33
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	i saw it happen for the first time yesterday at a meet. not my car though. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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09-06-2006, 11:42 AM	#34
grantn17 BMW09 2 Rep 24 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I took my 325i in last week to fix the ELV warning - they updated my CIP platform and said I was good to go. A few days later the same thing started to happen: 1. Put key fob in 2. Succession of clicking noises from key insert area 3. ELV warning 4. Series of locking and unlocking car allows for eventual start This is a little ridiculous - how can a company claiming such great engineering not understand a problem and/or know how to fix it? If anyone knows of a solution please post it here or PM me
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09-09-2006, 01:43 AM	#35
racyb New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Follow-up and solution to my problem a couple posts up. Eventually it got worse to the point where I would have to try restarting the car at least 2 times EVERYTIME. Took it into the dealer and they took 5 days to order and replace the steering column. No problems since.
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11-21-2006, 05:00 PM	#36
pablob Enlisted Member 7 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2006 325i SG Join Date: May 2005 Location: jamaica iTrader: (0)	ELV Me too Same lock symbol started happening to me a month ago. Got frustrated finally and took it to the dealer. They changed the steering column under warranty. No prolems so far... knock on wood. __________________ 2006 SG 158s xenons roof chrome exhaust anthracite leather/cloth alum logic 7 37% quantum tint
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11-21-2006, 06:47 PM	#37
driverseven Curve junky 16 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 228 Black Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	It's been happening to me every 5th time or so.. It starts after the 3rd attempt. I have been trying to ignore it but I guess I better get the steering column replaced before it goes off warranty. __________________ 228 \| In-service: Nov '14
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11-21-2006, 08:38 PM	#38
Driv3r Colonel 177 Rep 2,355 Posts Drives: 2006 E46 M3 ZCP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Miami Beach, FL iTrader: (8) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	EVERYONE!: I found out that it is not the software and infact a defected steering column, and the lock gets stuck sometimes..they have to replace the whole steering column, which they did, its been a month and a half and no problems at all! At the same time i got the software updated..... __________________ 2006 E46 M3 ZCP 6SPD-Interlagos Blue - 6SPD - SSK - AA Headers -AA Tune - Navigation w/ Splashscreen Mod - 3M Crystalline Series 60 - Carbon Splitters - Swissvax Treated - Bridgestone 2012 Yamaha FZ8 - Matte Black/Grey - Michelin Pilot Pure 2CT - Vortex Rear Sets - Yoshimura R-77D & Fender Delete - Spectro Race Oil - GP Reverse Shifting
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11-21-2006, 09:57 PM	#40
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	likewise, I'd rather get it taken care of now under warranty.... __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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11-22-2006, 06:13 AM	#41
MrSilver Judge Advocate General 99 Rep 1,128 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Buffalo, New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e92 335i [0.00]	Ugggg.... I had a CA problem the other day... no pictures though... I couldn't start the car with the fob in my pocket... inserted the fob in the igniktion, wouldn't start, rinse, repeaqt and it started. Only time I've ever had a problem with it though, and haven't had the problem since. __________________ '07 E92 335i "Over-Heating" and "Blowing Up" since 9-5-06 6MT, Space Gray, Gray w/ Dakota Leather, Dark Burl, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW Comfort Access, Sirius Satellite (Howard is not optional) '07 X3 3.0si - Black on Black, ZPP, ZCW, Step. - Wife's car
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11-22-2006, 10:00 AM	#42
driverseven Curve junky 16 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 228 Black Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	In the ELV problem you get a couple of messages. On the dashboard, directly above the steering wheel, an icon will appear with the letter i inside a square sitting on top of a steering wheel picture. I don't know what you see on non-iDrive cars, but on iDrive, it displays something like this (trying to rememer the exact words) "ELV Malfunction. Move Steering Wheel" The way it happens for me is.1 1. When key goes in, accessories come on but when I press Start, nothing happens other than the little icon appears. 2. After a few seconds, the icon disappears. I try again and this time, the icon appears and the message appears on iDrive screen. Sometimes I hear a short clicking. 3. I try to move the wheel (as instructed) and it moves but then locks. 4. I try again and this time, it starts. I had a slightly different version about 6 months ago -- it wouldn't start after trying to move the steering wheel but it started after about 10 minutes passed. I took it in for service and they updated the software. It didn't occur against for about 90 days but now I'm getting it every few days. __________________ 228 \| In-service: Nov '14
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12-04-2006, 09:38 PM	#43
Milehigh E90 Private First Class 8 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	So the ELV thing came and visited me this past weekend! 2 times on Saturday and once on Sunday. Fortunately I was taking my car in for some other service and had the dealer look into this issue as well. I got the "hummmm, never had that one...." line and the No Problem Found. It happened again tonight and that's when I searched out this tread. ONCE AGAIN guys and gals thanks for ALL the help. I'll be taking it back in and getting the steering column replace this time. Think maybe someone at BMW should link their service/tech bulletins for dealers directly to e90post.com?!:rocks: __________________ 2006 330xi Sparkling Graphite, Aluminum and Black leather, 6 speed, iDrive, Preminum, Sport, Cold packages, 18" wheels, Satellite Radio, Comfort Access. Added: Strut Tower Brace, Grouppe M Intake, Dinan Exhaust, 19" ASA Rims, CF Mirrors Covers, CDV. And MORE to come!
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12-05-2006, 10:06 AM	#44
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	How have the steering column replacements worked out for those who got them? No more frequent ELV messages? Knock on wood, I haven't had to deal with this issue, but I have to say, it's one of the more frequent "significant" issues that I've seen on this board. So I won't be completely shocked if it were to happen to me one day. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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