[NYF32DRIVER]

Can we PLEASE solve this issue ?

I keep reading conflicting reports.

My 2008 335i Coupe (Steptronic) has NO steering wheel lock.

Has this been eliminated from all newer BMW's or NOT ???

Thank You

Joseph

[BigDog]

issue has been long resolved, do a search

eliminated the lock

[NYF32DRIVER]

Originally Posted by BigDog

issue has been long resolved, do a search

eliminated the lock

I have "done a search" but there still seem to be those who have them on newer vehicles.

Honestly, for me it's good riddance.

[Greeney]

They just replaced my wheel lock, took em 3 days...

[BMW!]

I would like to know this too...

[allan]

my May/08 E93 steptronic has NO steering wheel lock.
The technician at the dealer called Munich to find out and was told that as of Jan 08 the cars don't come with the steering lock anylonger. The transmission would be the "new" lock.

[BK]

Originally Posted by BigDog

issue has been long resolved, do a search

eliminated the lock

+1 Issue is resolved. No steering wheel lock since approximately November 2006.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...8&postcount=30
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41366

[audiphile]

Originally Posted by BK

+1 Issue is resolved. No steering wheel lock since approximately November 2006.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...8&postcount=30
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41366

10/06 build 335i sedan here. no lock in my car.

[assclown]

Don't mean to dig up an old thread but useful for new owners - just picked up a 2010 335xi coupe and wondering what happened to the steering wheel lock.

Now I know.

[hotnikks]

Learn something new everyday. I have an 06 so when they go to "Fix" the problem do they remove the lock or what? I know I had one at one time just wondering if it will rear it's ugly head in the future.

[BK]

Originally Posted by hotnikks

Learn something new everyday. I have an 06 so when they go to "Fix" the problem do they remove the lock or what? I know I had one at one time just wondering if it will rear it's ugly head in the future.

Reprogram first. If that doesn't work, they replace it with a steering column with no lock.

[mmm def]

E90 335 12/06 build no lock

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by BK

Reprogram first. If that doesn't work, they replace it with a steering column with no lock.

This is correct. I believe when the 3-series was launched in 2006, the 330(x)i had the steering wheel mechanical lock. Later on in 2006, the mechanical lock was deleted. For the 2006 cars that that are in use now and may have developed the mechanical lock problems, the solution is as BK says: 1) reprogram, 2) replace the old steering wheel column with a new column, on which the mechanical lock is deleted.

[TurboFan]

ooh, ooh, ooh

[hotnikks]

Originally Posted by BK

Reprogram first. If that doesn't work, they replace it with a steering column with no lock.

Ugh that sounds expensive I'm out of warranty I hope to avoid that cause I def cant do it myself.

[BK]

Originally Posted by hotnikks

Ugh that sounds expensive I'm out of warranty I hope to avoid that cause I def cant do it myself.

That reminds me. Would the steering wheel lock problem be covered by the extended warranty? Not for hotnikks, since it sounds like it's too late for him , but for me. I still have the steering wheel lock on my car, and I don't want it to crap out at 50,001 miles. I'm approaching 50K miles -- the point where I'm thinking seriously about the extended warranty for peace of mind (steering wheel lock, valve ticking), even though I've had so few problems with my car.

[burberry]

my 6MT 07 E90 is locked ;T hate it. can't neutral around when my engine is turned off...

[GregoryM]

Hello everybody this is my first post on the forums. I have a 07/06 BMW 325i with a little over 80k miles (just a little out of warranty ) I encountered this problem about 2 months ago for the first time. I was able to do the wiggle and shake to get it to release and start. This work for a while up until 2 weeks ago. After contacting the local BMW dealership and BMW North America I was faced with the sad realization that I was gonna have to pay for it to be fixed or take on the task myself.

After examining the dash and steering column carefully I decided to pull it out myself. It took all of 15 minutes to pull out the whole steering wheel and column. Needless to say it was very strait forward. Only 5 E10(8mm 6pt) bolts holding it all in.

After I had it removed I saw the factory lock on the top of column and began to pull it apart. There are 3 E-5pt torx security bolts holding the cover on. After removing the cover the lock assembly came right out.

Leave it to BMW to pack the unit full of electronics. The assembly consists of a circuit board with an attached mechanism. Inside there is a small electrical motor and some moving parts. As I started to play with the mechanism I noticed the parts were binding due to friction. My first guess was that the motor was burnt up and would no longer spin. After removing the motor I placed it on the bench and attempted to give it voltage to see if it would spin. I gave it 5 volts on both side and it worked in both directions. Now after determining the motor was still good I took apart the rest of the mechanism. I cleaned all the old grease from the motor and inside the mechanism where the lock slides and give if a fresh coating of grease all over.

After resembling the unit i went back out to the car with column and the lock still separated and plugged them back in. I reattached the battery terminal and prayed. I held the lock unit in my hand turned on the ignition and viola, no more light. Car started the first time.

I resembled the column with the lock, reinstalled it back into the car, and double checked all my connections. After everything was checked over twice i crossed my fingers and pushed the button. It unlocked the steering wheel and started like a champ. I tested it over and over about 10 times though out the rest of the day and started flawlessly every time.

I still only have a days worth of testing but I'm very confident that this has resolved the issue. For all of you who's cars may be out of warranty, I will keep you guys posted over the next couple days and weeks. If this continues to work I will document the full repair. I have taken alot of photos that will aid in the repair of this problem without having to spend a dime.

So in conclusion what I have found is that BMW's solution is to replace the lock mechanism in the vehicle because of a flaw. The flaw being that the lubrication (grease) provided inside the mechanism will eventually wear off the parts causing friction and binding. When the lock mechanism sticks and cannot move the motor creates higher current than normal and tells the processor inside the switch to stop, thus creating the error code. This error code prevents the vehicle from starting. When you guys jiggle and turn the ignition on and off you are slowly moving the mechanism and freeing the binding. This will only last so long as the parts will eventually bind again. I feel that this is a very simple fix. I think a semi skilled mechanic could fix this in about an hour or less.

Cheers!

[bsamoul]

Originally Posted by GregoryM

Hello everybody this is my first post on the forums. I have a 07/06 BMW 325i with a little over 80k miles (just a little out of warranty ) I encountered this problem about 2 months ago for the first time. I was able to do the wiggle and shake to get it to release and start. This work for a while up until 2 weeks ago. After contacting the local BMW dealership and BMW North America I was faced with the sad realization that I was gonna have to pay for it to be fixed or take on the task myself.

After examining the dash and steering column carefully I decided to pull it out myself. It took all of 15 minutes to pull out the whole steering wheel and column. Needless to say it was very strait forward. Only 5 E10(8mm 6pt) bolts holding it all in.

After I had it removed I saw the factory lock on the top of column and began to pull it apart. There are 3 E-5pt torx security bolts holding the cover on. After removing the cover the lock assembly came right out.

Leave it to BMW to pack the unit full of electronics. The assembly consists of a circuit board with an attached mechanism. Inside there is a small electrical motor and some moving parts. As I started to play with the mechanism I noticed the parts were binding due to friction. My first guess was that the motor was burnt up and would no longer spin. After removing the motor I placed it on the bench and attempted to give it voltage to see if it would spin. I gave it 5 volts on both side and it worked in both directions. Now after determining the motor was still good I took apart the rest of the mechanism. I cleaned all the old grease from the motor and inside the mechanism where the lock slides and give if a fresh coating of grease all over.

After resembling the unit i went back out to the car with column and the lock still separated and plugged them back in. I reattached the battery terminal and prayed. I help the lock unit in my hand turned on the ignition and viola, no more light. Car started the first time.

I resembled the column with the lock, reinstalled it back into the car, and double checked all my connections. After everything was checked over twice i crossed my fingers and pushed the button. It unlocked the steering wheel and started like a champ. I tested it over and over about 10 times though out the rest of the day and started flawlessly every time.

I still only have a days worth of testing but I'm very confident that this has resolved the issue. For all of you who's cars may be out of warranty, I will keep you guys posted over the next couple days and weeks. If this continues to work I will document the full repair. I have taken alot of photos that will aid in the repair of this problem without having to spend a dime.

So in conclusion what I have found is that BMW's solution is to replace the lock mechanism in the vehicle because of a flaw. The flaw being that the lubrication (grease) provided inside the mechanism will eventually wear off the parts causing friction and binding. When the lock mechanism sticks and cannot move the motor creates higher current than normal and tells the processor inside the switch to stop, thus creating the error code. This error code prevents the vehicle from starting. When you guys jiggle and turn the ignition on and off you are slowly moving the mechanism and freeing the binding. This will only last so long as the parts will eventually bind again. I feel that this is a very simple fix. I think a semi skilled mechanic could fix this in about an hour or less.

Cheers!

Brilliant job man! That's a good idea you had that actually worked!

[BK]

^^ I'd love to see photos of the process. I wouldn't want you to take it all apart again just to appease us, but maybe the next guy who does this.

[GregoryM]

Update: Sat all last night. Started just fine this morning.

[MichelleJD]

Bought my 06 used and noticed the column had been replaced. Now I know why.