Steering locking while driving

[loypur]

I would like to know if anybody has experienced what we have.
Our 2 year old C180 kompressor had the steering lock while turning right and the engine was still running.
Mercedes has said the electronic key is foolproof and that this occurance is not possible. Has anybody else had a similar problem? This has happened twice and was very dangerouse.

 

[PINBALL]

If thats what the dealer say's, try to get it in writing!
OR phone MB at Milton Keynes (head office) & see what they say ... have your car documents handy.
Didn't the dealer offer to look at the car?
Has the car always been serviced by the dealer?
If no help there without waiting for a stupid 3 week appointment in workshop,
get the steering independantly assessed by a well known steering or safety expert (try phoning local police for reccomendation).
But I feel sure that Milton Keynes will make the dealer more concerned about the situation before that action would be neccesary.
Dealer will give you thier tel number, or send an email to moderators on this forum.
Hope it helps,
Keith.

 

[loypur]

If thats what the dealer say's, try to get it in writing!
OR phone MB at Milton Keynes (head office) & see what they say ... have your car documents handy.
Didn't the dealer offer to look at the car?
Has the car always been serviced by the dealer?
If no help there without waiting for a stupid 3 week appointment in workshop,
get the steering independantly assessed by a well known steering or safety expert (try phoning local police for reccomendation).
But I feel sure that Milton Keynes will make the dealer more concerned about the situation before that action would be neccesary.
Dealer will give you thier tel number, or send an email to moderators on this forum.
Hope it helps,
Keith.

Thank you for that.
The dealer was really good they replaced the electronic key switch.
It was just that he said this has never happened before and I was wondering if anybody else has experienced it.
Oh I am in Australia by the way! Therefore it is a long way for me to go to Milton Keynes.
Regards
Loypur

 

[television]

There is no recorded fault for this ,or mods on the Data base.

Malcolm

 

[loypur]

Thank you for that Malcolm
Loypur from Australia

 

[philharve]

Hi loypur

If you make an entry in 'Location' in your 'User CP' we will know in what part of the World you live.

I echo the sentiments of other contributors ... locking of the steering with the car in motion is a very serious matter. Your MB dealer must be informed as they have a legal duty of car to follow this problem up.

I've heard of a mechanical interlock failing, I've experienced it myself in an old Triumph ... but in a modern car? The steering lock should be a fail safe design. I cannot believe it's a design fault but it is sufficiently serious to warrant keeping your car off the road until the problem is resolved.

I can only imagine that the steering lock has been damaged in some way or even been tampered with. Did you buy it from new?

REGARDS Phil

 

[loypur]

Yes we did Phil. Brand new done 21,000Km.Had one service at 15K.
The dealer has been good he replaced everything to do with the steering lock.
I wanted to know if anybody else has ever experienced this problem.
Regards
Loypur

 

[philharve]

The dealer has been good he replaced everything to do with the steering lock.

Hi loypur.

Good. That's what I would have expected. I assume the problem has now disappeared? The steering lock must have been defective.

The steering lock on my old Triumph failed due to wear. It was never any trouble on the road, only a problem when turning the wheel, e.g. during parking. The MB design is more sophisticated. I don't know how it works but I suspect it may be electromechanical. Another member may confirm.

REGARDS Phil