BMW e92 electronic steering wheel lock fault

smtdos

Yesterday while driving my 2007 e92 320d a red warning light came on the dash. It's a picture of a steering wheel with a padlock on it. It indicates faulty electronic steering wheel lock. The manual says not to turn off the engine and get to a dealer.

I turn the car off and on twice after the light appeared with no issue with the steering. I then drove to Kearys in Cork to get it checked. They have just rang saying it'll be €1195 to replace the steering column. From reading on BMW forums there are electrical/voltage issues that can cause the fault light and a software update or battery replacement could fix it. Kearys say they are sure its the column. I see a poster on boards managed to get kearys to cover the cost of an 08 320d column replacement out of goodwill but not sure I'll have the same luck. This appears to be a known issue too!

I bought the car from autoline in kildare in Nov 2011. I have a 6 month 'engine & gearbox' warranty so that's not much use to me.

The car is out of BMW warranty and I haven't had them service it yet so I don't really have goodwill built up.

Just looking for advice on my options on where to go from here.

So my questions:

1) the car was clamped yesterday and the light appeared within 15 minutes of the clamp being removed by APCOA. Could this have caused the issue?

2)Kearys did a 'health check' on the car the day after I bought it. Should they have spotted this?

3) What are my options and where do I go from here?

Thanks in advance guys

smtdos

Update:

Keary's have ruled out any contribution on their part based on the age of the car. Not looking good unfortunately.

GavMan

Best bet would be to take it to another dealer and a reputible Independent specialist and compare diagnosis and costs

smtdos

Ok so I've been onto two independent BMW mechanics here in Cork. Replacing the column isn't the only solution.

They've both come across this problem a good few times with a simple fix. The part is €605 from Keary's. They can do the job for €800 but say its unnecessary. They just reset the counter on the steering lock so the ECU doesn't throw the fault. The error doesn't affect driving, just when the car is stationary. Some day the lock will refuse to release and the column will need replacing but the reset should tide me over.

If anyone is looking for BMW mechanics in Cork, Steven Murphy on Monaghan Road & Ardfallen Motors in Ballycurreen were very helpful and knowledgeable.

pa990

drop into Murphy Motor Works MMW Monaghan Road Cork 021 - 4322122

(no affiliation)

http://g.co/maps/zbw3h





edit : beat me to it

smtdos

pa990 wrote: »

drop into Murphy Motor Works MMW Monaghan Road Cork 021 - 4322122

(no affiliation)

http://g.co/maps/zbw3h





edit : beat me to it

Cheers anyway!

Nissan doctor

This fault can be triggered if the steering lock is engaged by turning the wheels, by which I mean moving the actual road wheel as opposed to the steering wheel. So possible the clamping may have been a factor.

smtdos

Nissan doctor wrote: »

This fault can be triggered if the steering lock is engaged by turning the wheels, by which I mean moving the actual road wheel as opposed to the steering wheel. So possible the clamping may have been a factor.

That's interesting, thanks. It's €68 euro for the reset so I won't waste my time chasing the clampers for that!

Anan1

smtdos wrote: »

That's interesting, thanks. It's €68 euro for the reset so I won't waste my time chasing the clampers for that!

I would, if that was what it was.

listermint

smtdos wrote: »

That's interesting, thanks. It's €68 euro for the reset so I won't waste my time chasing the clampers for that!

Why not, they caused it?

Id be straight after them. Maybe then they wont feck around with someones wheel when they arent meant to be damaging private property.

smtdos

Anan1 wrote: »

I would, if that was what it was.

If you met this so and so I'd to deal with yesterday in the carpark.... Unbelievable attitude. Dunno if I could be bothered getting into a long debacle with them.

smtdos

listermint wrote: »

Why not, they caused it?

Id be straight after them. Maybe then they wont feck around with someones wheel when they arent meant to be damaging private property.

It's quite easily denied though would you think?

Nissan doctor

smtdos wrote: »

It's quite easily denied though would you think?

If it was moving the road wheel that caused it, then a proper reset is all thats needed to solve it so likely far too much hassle/expense to go after them for that.

Did you park with the wheels turned a bit?

listermint

smtdos wrote: »

It's quite easily denied though would you think?

Not with a detailed report. If it is one of the large operators i would go after them, if is some joe soap then its not worth your while.

Either way the car was fine prior to them tampering with your front wheel. Then it develops a wheel related issue ?

go figure..

smtdos

Nissan doctor wrote: »

If it was moving the road wheel that caused it, then a proper reset is all thats needed to solve it so likely far too much hassle/expense to go after them for that.

Did you park with the wheels turned a bit?

I don't think so. Just drove straight into a space in Leisureworld car park. The drivers side (the side that the clamp was put on) was only about 6 inches from the curb so many he had to do a bit of wriggling with the clamp.

kirving

The clampers would want to be very very careful what they touch with the amount of electronics in new cars, could easily cause thousands in damage if they're not careful. If you can get the garage to say in writing that moving the front wheel with the lock engaged caused the problem, then the clamper would be liable. Obviously get the garage to do a very detailed inspection, in case any other damage was done.

smtdos

listermint wrote: »

Not with a detailed report. If it is one of the large operators i would go after them, if is some joe soap then its not worth your while.

Either way the car was fine prior to them tampering with your front wheel. Then it develops a wheel related issue ?

go figure..

Well it's APCOA, they seem to run most of the car park clamping in Cork these days, big enough company I think. I see where your coming from but if it was hundreds of euro I might be more up for a battle!

listermint

smtdos wrote: »

Well it's APCOA, they seem to run most of the car park clamping in Cork these days, big enough company I think. I see where your coming from but if it was hundreds of euro I might be more up for a battle!

Well the fine was X amount and then to repair their handy work was x amouont so your well over the 100 Euro mark already..

Get something from the garage to give probably cause then write to their head office.

smtdos

listermint wrote: »

Well the fine was X amount and then to repair their handy work was x amouont so your well over the 100 Euro mark already..

Get something from the garage to give probably cause then write to their head office.

They'd hardly refund the clamping charge on account of the damage (€125, v steep i thought) would they? Might be worth a shot in that case I guess.

El Greysers

I know im posting this a bit late, but its for anyone else who has had this problem,

I bought my 08 E92 320D in the UK back in March 11 and this same issue just came up on mine about 2 weeks ago

However as I had a FSH with BMW I was able to get the goodwill from BMW Ireland (Through Frank Keanes) to cover the cost of the part and 50% of the Labour.

According to the BMW boards its quite a common problem worldwide with this fault but no recall has been made, and is specific to early model E9X series BMW's apparently they removed this electronic lock from 2009 onwards. Anyway they had quoted it for me @ €819.00 inc VAT before the goodwill was given.

My advice if you cant get the goodwill is to shop around as its a pricey fix

Also before you do anything do this check first...........

This error has been known to come up via a knackered battery in some cases (due to lack of power to the Electronic Locking Mechanism) so if your not sure get the battery tested first, give it a good charge and see if the error dissapears

dodgycustomer

I got the same error day after nct. Any possibility they caused it??

MetzgerMeister

Zombie thread, please start a new one dodgycustomer.