[Rotary Rasp]

I think it's stupid that BMW did away with the locking steering wheel. People with the manual transmission basically have no protection against someone smashing in their window and rolling the car into a flat bed truck!

[GregoryM]

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

I think it's stupid that BMW did away with the locking steering wheel. People with the manual transmission basically have no protection against someone smashing in their window and rolling the car into a flat bed truck!

If somebody wants your car bad enough they'll get it regardless of a club, steering wheel lock, wheel boot, ect. ect.

[GregoryM]

One week later and all is well. No issues what so ever.

[GregoryM]

Hey guys. Just want to give a quick update. Since I fixed the steering wheel lock mechanism (about a month and a half ago) it has been working flawlessly. I've had not glitches or hiccups at all. I have been getting a few emails regarding the fix and just replied to them today. I have taken some pictures but no enough to do a full write up . I hope within the next couple weeks I will have my Supra finished so I can document the complete fix for you all. Feel free for the time being to email me with any questions. I hope that I can help you out of warranty guys save a little hard earned cash.

Cheers,
Gregory

[gos]

Originally Posted by GregoryM

If somebody wants your car bad enough they'll get it regardless of a club, steering wheel lock, wheel boot, ect. ect.

+1

a tow truck lift winch is way stronger than the resistance provided by your tires. They can drag it onto a flatbed in seconds, even if it was booted, e-braked, etc.

[bmrcfreak]

Wow, great job Gregory! Anxiously awaiting your DIY write-up on this!!

[lostnono]

Originally Posted by GregoryM

Hey guys. Just want to give a quick update. Since I fixed the steering wheel lock mechanism (about a month and a half ago) it has been working flawlessly. I've had not glitches or hiccups at all. I have been getting a few emails regarding the fix and just replied to them today. I have taken some pictures but no enough to do a full write up . I hope within the next couple weeks I will have my Supra finished so I can document the complete fix for you all. Feel free for the time being to email me with any questions. I hope that I can help you out of warranty guys save a little hard earned cash.

Cheers,
Gregory

Dear GregoryM,
You seem to have narrowed the issue that had been intermittent on my car for the last 4 months (though I always managed to start the engine after few key in/out tries).
Would you mind sending me (lost_nono@hotmail.com) or posting the pictures of your DIY ? That could save big $$$ in this period of recession for us, poor consumers...

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by GregoryM

...
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.
...

Excellent post, thanks. I had a problem similar to yours, but I took it to the dealer, since the car was in warranty. I should have tried your one-hour solution, because I had to take the car in several times before the locking was fixed.

[fdriller9]

I had my steering wheel lock light go on a week or so ago....I hope mine doesn't malfunction.

[korell]

I know this thread is quite old, but people apparently still have this issue.

I tried to remove the steering column to clean the mechanism, but was not able to disconnet the connector on the left side of the steering column, so had to put all back together. Typically these connectors have a tab to push in or some other mechanism to unlock and remove the connector, but I have not been able to figure it out.

Please help!

Thanks!

[bobchuong58]

Originally Posted by NYCE90DRIVER

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

If I want to buy another CAR again, less sensors, less electrical gadgets are my choice. Keep it simple. NO ELV is better than ELV, it is nothing but problems.

Originally Posted by BK

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

What do you mean reprogram? Like newer car software OR can it be disabled, with like NCSexpert?

[adjmcloon]

I picked up an 07 328i with this issue. I've ordered the emulator to delete the lock from La Car Tech (https://www.lacartech.com/products/elv-bmw-emulator) and I've got the column almost out of the car. I'll remove the elv and plug the emulator and we'll see what happens. I'll report back.

This *should* be a permanent fix for this problem without having the dealer change out the column. (Fingers crossed)

[satz]

Might be different down-under, but I'm sure my 2009 build E90 335i has a steering lock that activates either when I press the lock button on remote twice or use comfort-access to lock the car.

I know it the steering also locks in another circumstance but i can't remember exactly when. I think when I have the 'ACC' position on (eg listening to radio) but engine off, then if I turn the wheel a little it locks.

[Marct2009]

Hey guys I came across your post searching for help with my 2007 328xi. I have the same issue red steering wheel warning light and the car will not start. I was hoping that someone could help me find the pictures GregoryM mentioned before. I’m looking to take this task on myself just trying to gather all the info I can before I begin.

Thanks!

[ctuna]

Very long thread in the DIY or maintenance sub forum on this.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...=steering+lock

[ibd12nv]

Had the same problem last march. 10/06 build. Reprograming was easy enough. Try it first as it is the cheapest method.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by ibd12nv

Had the same problem last march. 10/06 build. Reprograming was easy enough. Try it first as it is the cheapest method.

Wow, this was an old thread that got revived!

What's the specific reprogramming? I had this issue intermittently a few months ago (my car is a 6/06 build) and couldn't find any of the parameters to bypass the lock via reprogramming. All the solutions I've found only suggest removing the steering column, disassembling the lock mechanism, then cleaning and lubricating it.

I solved my issue by installing a ELV emulator, however I'd love to bypass it completely.

[Wineslobber]

I know this is an old thread, but I have a similar problem except:

It only happens when the car is cold, just a "key" icon on the dash, multiple insertions of the fob will finally activate the un-lock/turn on the car (also locking in the fob). Once warmed up, no more problems until the car is "cold" (temp) again. Outside temps are now in the 40's in the morning.
I guessing it's the grease issue?

[Marct2009]

6 months after I ran into this issue I'm happy to say my car starts again. I was fortunate enough to get ahold of a programmer that I found on this site to remote into my computer and remove the red steering wheel light on my dash. I had to purchase the OBD to usb cable specifically for BMW from ebay and download a few programs but I was able to start my car again after about 15 minutes with the programmer on my computer. I tried the emulator before this and had no luck there. I also tried connecting my computer to the car to see if I could do it myself but with the application being in German I couldn't figure it out even with a couple of instructional videos I found (that were also in another language).

I'd suggest finding a reliable programmer on this site to see if they will offer their services for a small fee to remote in and program your car for you.

[wreckman]

FYI BMW re-introduced the ELV on newer E90's along with CAS3. And I can tell it is still of a bad quality and is starting to break again, and just before, BMW wants to change the entire steering column when it does.

[ctuna]

Its not that hard to reset this counter even if its in German.
But ista D can do this and its all in English.