[e9X]

Hey Fellas,

The moment has come... I feared that this will eventually stop working and my luck will run out. The steering wheel lock issue. I used to have just the yellow/amber light come on everytime but my car would still start. But today when I was about to go home from my brother's house, my car wouldn't start and the lock icon has turned from yellow to RED. I tried moving the steering wheel from left to right while the key fob is in the slot, unplugged/plugged negative battery and even re-seat the steering wheel fuse and still no luck.
Last thing I would try is the DIY to remove the steering column and then grease the lock mechanism.
However, I think that will be a temporary solution and am afraid that it will eventually happen again unless the streering wheel column is replaced or the lock it self is removed (if it can be removed).
This has been really frustrating as quite a few e90/91/92 owners are having the same problem and BMW hasn't addressed it due to there isn't that many complaint reported to NHTSA.
My car is out of warranty and I wouldn't want to pay $500+ to get this stupid and ridiculous issue fixed.
It's a safety issue and I really do recommend all of you e9x owners who are having the same issue to go to https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov and file a complaint to get this issue addressed and make BMW pay for it.
I love my car but these kind of senseless issues really does tick me off and makes me just wanna sell it and just get a Smart Car. LOL...

Again, if you are having this same issue please go to NHTSA's website and file the complaint to address this issue and as well as help prevent other BMW owners from having this headache and pay for something really unnecessary.

Thanks in advance,

Mic

[325xi_guy]

This exact same thing happened to me today and I had to have mine towed to the stealership. My buddy had the same issue last month and paid $1200 to have the steering column replaced. Good luck with your car. I miss mine already.

[Chriztofor]

A weak battery can be the problem. Make sure your battery is fully charged. Invest in a battery charger. I picked this one up for $30 http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/battery/10-2-55-amp-6-12-volt-battery-charger-engine-starter-66783.html

[e9X]

I just got a new battery a year ago but I'll try that too...

[ska///235i]

i feel your pain, i paid $800 to get mines fix
i already reported on that site few months ago

[e9X]

Update: i did the DIY removed the steering column and manually unlocked the mechanism. After i put everything back - no luck. Still failed to start and still have the red lock icon... Now i have no choice but to bring it to the dealership.
Any recommendations before i call the dealership will greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[325xi_guy]

Originally Posted by e9X

Update: i did the DIY removed the steering column and manually unlocked the mechanism. After i put everything back - no luck. Still failed to start and still have the red lock icon... Now i have no choice but to bring it to the dealership.
Any recommendations before i call the dealership will greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I just picked mine up from the dealer. $1090 later they said that they "tried everything" before they went ahead and replaced the column. My dealership had them in stock (go figure).

[e9X]

Originally Posted by 325xi_guy

I just picked mine up from the dealer. $1090 later they said that they "tried everything" before they went ahead and replaced the column. My dealership had them in stock (go figure).

Were you able to turn your steering wheel or not at all?
Im still able to turn mine so im hoping it just needs a software flash or something...

[ska///235i]

you can reboot the software ( thats what ny tech said) and you should be able to start, but the lock will eventually com back

and yes, you can turn the steering wheel

[325xi_guy]

Originally Posted by e9X

Were you able to turn your steering wheel or not at all?
Im still able to turn mine so im hoping it just needs a software flash or something...

I could turn the steering wheel but couldn't start the car. I could hear what sounded like grinding noises coming from the column. It sounded like it was trying to pull the lock out but couldn't.

[e9X]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

you can reboot the software ( thats what ny tech said) and you should be able to start, but the lock will eventually com back

and yes, you can turn the steering wheel

So did they replace the steering column or just the lock mechanism?

[e9X]

Originally Posted by 325xi_guy

I could turn the steering wheel but couldn't start the car. I could hear what sounded like grinding noises coming from the column. It sounded like it was trying to pull the lock out but couldn't.

I can turn the wheel just fine without any grinding noise. Im hoping it doesnt need a new steering column but who know what the dealer wants to do with it

[mthomas]

Does anyone have a copy of the tis for this? I searched and I can only find links to the old bmwtis site which no longer allows access.

[ska///235i]

entire column replaced, not at the dealer
i dont have alot miles so the column failed after warranty

you wont need a TSB, if you have 2006....everyone and their brothers will know

[325xi_guy]

Originally Posted by e9X

I can turn the wheel just fine without any grinding noise. Im hoping it doesnt need a new steering column but who know what the dealer wants to do with it

The grinding wasn't when I would turn the wheel, maybe grinding isn't the best word to describe it. It was more like the lock was trying to pull itself out but couldn't and it was making a weird noise. Good luck. Let us know how you make out.

[Kbimmer]

I'm having the same issue right now, I left my car at the dealer yesterday and they are "investigating"...

Mine was just the yellow light that after playing with the wheel for a while I could get it back to work, but I decided to get that sorted before I get the red one :thumb down

Does anyone knows if the dealer can replace the column to one of those newer ones without a lock ? or they will replace with the same crappy one ?

[e9X]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

entire column replaced, not at the dealer
i dont have alot miles so the column failed after warranty

you wont need a TSB, if you have 2006....everyone and their brothers will know

So an independent shop was the one who replaced the column and they were able to program you car with the new column?
Thats great and you probably paid a lot less versus going directly to dealer.

[Kbimmer]

I got a feedback from the dealer... they said "after a long diagnose" they realized that the issue was the battery, and they replaced it with a bmw approved one.

I'll pick up the car tomorrow, lets see...

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Kbimmer

I got a feedback from the dealer... they said "after a long diagnose" they realized that the issue was the battery, and they replaced it with a bmw approved one.

I'll pick up the car tomorrow, lets see...

Son of a bitch, I am good!!!!

[e9X]

I'm hoping mine is just the battery also....

[bimmergixxer]

My steering locked a couple months ago and the diagnostic was a weak battery. Replaced it and the alert is now gone and it steers again

[Kbimmer]

"Sad" Update II

The battery ended up not fixing the issue, car is back to the dealer, they "may" replace the steering column and reprogram the ECU now