Steering lock .

[Steve Paul Thompson]

Hi,parked my 350cdi up this afternoon.when I went to start it later on it wouldn,t start as the steering lock was still on. I can hear clicking noises when I put the key in, but it won,t unlock. Any advice please. Thanks Steve.

 

[Steve Paul Thompson]

Sorted now.

 

[joderest]

ok, what was the problem, just so anyone else with a similar issue can view this.

 

[Steve Paul Thompson]

Hi, Parked the car up last Sunday, an hour later tried to start . Key turned ok but nothing happened, no lights on as well.Steering wheel was locked. Did a search on google and it said steering lock failure. The lock was in the locked position.The steering lock is tied into the immobiliser, which was why it wouldn,t start. The google search told me to try knocking the base of the steering shaft to try to help it unlock.I gained access to the shaft by removing the lower footwell panel and used a rubber mallet to hit the shaft carefully.This worked and the lock released allowing me to start the car, but taking the key out and trying to start again the lock stayed closed. Two more attempts to open the lock failed. The third attempt left the lock stuck in the unlocked position meaning I could now turn the steering wheel but the car wouldn,t start because the immobiliser system knew there was a fault.After more searching I found that it was much easier to replace the lock when it was unlocked. When locked the full steering shaft has to be removed and the lock cut off.I was lucky that my lock had failed in the unlock position. I had an auto locksmith make the repair. He bypassed the lock by using an emulator which fools the immobiliser into thinking the steering lock is ok, even though it is broken but in the unlocked position. If the lock was in the locked position this would not work. The steering lock would have to be cut off , hence the full steering shaft removal, very expensive.The motor which opens and closes the lock is very poor quality. I believe this fault is common. I paid £250 for the emulator fitted. Hope this helps. Steve.

 

[Steve Paul Thompson]

Forgot to say ignition module and keys were also reprogrammed. Steve.

 

[Steve Paul Thompson]

Found this in the drivers footwell. Does anyone know where it belongs? Steve.

 

[sonic]

Hi, Parked the car up last Sunday, an hour later tried to start . Key turned ok but nothing happened, no lights on as well.Steering wheel was locked. Did a search on google and it said steering lock failure. The lock was in the locked position.The steering lock is tied into the immobiliser, which was why it wouldn,t start. The google search told me to try knocking the base of the steering shaft to try to help it unlock.I gained access to the shaft by removing the lower footwell panel and used a rubber mallet to hit the shaft carefully.This worked and the lock released allowing me to start the car, but taking the key out and trying to start again the lock stayed closed. Two more attempts to open the lock failed. The third attempt left the lock stuck in the unlocked position meaning I could now turn the steering wheel but the car wouldn,t start because the immobiliser system knew there was a fault.After more searching I found that it was much easier to replace the lock when it was unlocked. When locked the full steering shaft has to be removed and the lock cut off.I was lucky that my lock had failed in the unlock position. I had an auto locksmith make the repair. He bypassed the lock by using an emulator which fools the immobiliser into thinking the steering lock is ok, even though it is broken but in the unlocked position. If the lock was in the locked position this would not work. The steering lock would have to be cut off , hence the full steering shaft removal, very expensive.The motor which opens and closes the lock is very poor quality. I believe this fault is common. I paid £250 for the emulator fitted. Hope this helps. Steve.

A good result a friend of mine had a similar problem, cost £800 at MB.
No idea of the item in your picture.

 

[00slk]

Looks like a plastic cover for one of the electrical plugs under the seat.

 

[Steve Paul Thompson]

Sorry, I should have said that this fell out when I removed the drivers footwell cover. Steve.