I could look in the manual but

kabhatti · 07-01-2007, 08:49 PM

...its in the trunk and lots of stuff over it.... my question is when i try and start my 325, I hear a clicking ratchity sound, what appears to be a steering wheel with a lock symbol over it show up as the 'error' in the obc and after a few tries, i am able to start the car. The 'error' remains and am able to drive.

What is this?
Thanks for not yelling at me to clean my e90 trunk

SoYank · 07-02-2007, 12:43 PM

The symbol you describe, I believe, is saying there's a fault in your steering lock mechanism.

Oh, and CLEAN OUT THAT TRUNK!

kabhatti · 07-02-2007, 07:10 PM

Actually, I did dig in the trunk to find the manual and try and see what the warning lamp means, but could not find it in the book.... Attached is the image of what I'm seeing.
SoYank, you might be on to something...

Carnage · 07-02-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

The symbol you describe, I believe, is saying there's a fault in your steering lock mechanism.

Oh, and CLEAN OUT THAT TRUNK!

+1

Carnage · 07-02-2007, 08:38 PM

oh yea, Clean out your damn trunk!!!

shocka1212 · 07-02-2007, 08:41 PM

steering wheel lock malfunction. they will fix that for you at the dealer.

chbrules · 07-02-2007, 08:42 PM

I had this problem before. Your steering column lock mechanism is broken. You need to take it to the dealership to have it replaced. Most people are going to have this sometime in the lifetime of their 325i. BMW bought faulty parts, and I think they replace it with the same. I remember someone posting about this a while ago too.

kabhatti · 07-02-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chbrules

I had this problem before. Your steering column lock mechanism is broken. You need to take it to the dealership to have it replaced. Most people are going to have this sometime in the lifetime of their 325i. BMW bought faulty parts, and I think they replace it with the same. I remember someone posting about this a while ago too.

Thanks folks, I just emailed the service department, hope I get a 330 or 335 service loaner until they fix it:rocks:

turbotko · 07-02-2007, 09:05 PM

They will most likely replace the steering column and everything will be all good and gravy again!!

Deveray · 07-02-2007, 10:20 PM

This happened to me but my car was totally immobilized for 24h. The towtruck [called through BMW assist] couldn't start it and couldn't tow it onto the truck as the steering was locked. I went back the next day and it was fine. The dealer "couldn't find anything wrong" and didn't replace anything when I took it in and the fault hasn't reappeared.
Only thing I am thinking of is that when I went back I used the other key. Try your other key and see if the fault is the same - if so then it is the key.

aspiring335 · 07-03-2007, 12:21 AM

Got the same symbol on my 330i last night. The car wouldn't start but then I just turned everything off and hit the Start button again and it was fine. Sounds like I should take it in to have it checked out though.

BMW F22 · 07-03-2007, 12:27 AM

I got that at the Walnut Creek meet. Nobody knew how to fix it...then in came LongTran. haha

karliejai · 07-03-2007, 02:23 AM

i cleaned my trunk just now... in 3am... =P

kabhatti · 07-03-2007, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspiring335

Got the same symbol on my 330i last night. The car wouldn't start but then I just turned everything off and hit the Start button again and it was fine. Sounds like I should take it in to have it checked out though.

Interestingly, several months ago, when I first got this error, I too wasn't able to start my car at all. I was about to push the bmw assist button but first wanted to check if my battery had died because my parking lights had been left on for about 4-6 hours.

I jumped the battery and it started right up, perhaps a coincidence cause I find it hard to believe the battery died so quickly with just parking lights on.

07-01-2007, 08:49 PM	#1
kabhatti Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 325i Alpine White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pennsylvania USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325I [0.00]	I could look in the manual but ...its in the trunk and lots of stuff over it.... my question is when i try and start my 325, I hear a clicking ratchity sound, what appears to be a steering wheel with a lock symbol over it show up as the 'error' in the obc and after a few tries, i am able to start the car. The 'error' remains and am able to drive. What is this? Thanks for not yelling at me to clean my e90 trunk __________________ Car handles so well, I always have to "stop short"
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07-02-2007, 12:43 PM	#2
SoYank Major General 571 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	The symbol you describe, I believe, is saying there's a fault in your steering lock mechanism. Oh, and CLEAN OUT THAT TRUNK! __________________ **2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec** SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269
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07-02-2007, 07:10 PM	#3
kabhatti Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 203 Posts Drives: 325i Alpine White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pennsylvania USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325I [0.00]	Actually, I did dig in the trunk to find the manual and try and see what the warning lamp means, but could not find it in the book.... Attached is the image of what I'm seeing. SoYank, you might be on to something... __________________ Car handles so well, I always have to "stop short" Last edited by kabhatti; 07-02-2007 at 07:33 PM.. Reason: So I found my owners manual but what the heck is this?
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07-02-2007, 08:38 PM	#5
Carnage Lieutenant General 341 Rep 16,407 Posts Drives: people insane Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: classified iTrader: (2)	oh yea, Clean out your damn trunk!!!
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07-02-2007, 08:41 PM	#6
shocka1212 Philanthropist 28 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	steering wheel lock malfunction. they will fix that for you at the dealer.
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07-02-2007, 08:42 PM	#7
chbrules MSVConrad++ 54 Rep 778 Posts Drives: E90 2006 325i \| E92 2007 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Peaches iTrader: (0)	I had this problem before. Your steering column lock mechanism is broken. You need to take it to the dealership to have it replaced. Most people are going to have this sometime in the lifetime of their 325i. BMW bought faulty parts, and I think they replace it with the same. I remember someone posting about this a while ago too. __________________ -Me
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07-02-2007, 09:05 PM	#9
turbotko Lieutenant 67 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: georgia iTrader: (3)	They will most likely replace the steering column and everything will be all good and gravy again!! __________________ 10 AW on fox E90 M3 with 2 pedals, gentleman’s ride 08 AW on fox E92 M3 also 2 pedals, a bit more rowdy
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07-02-2007, 10:20 PM	#10
Deveray Private First Class 10 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2010 535i X-Drive Touring Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	This happened to me but my car was totally immobilized for 24h. The towtruck [called through BMW assist] couldn't start it and couldn't tow it onto the truck as the steering was locked. I went back the next day and it was fine. The dealer "couldn't find anything wrong" and didn't replace anything when I took it in and the fault hasn't reappeared. Only thing I am thinking of is that when I went back I used the other key. Try your other key and see if the fault is the same - if so then it is the key.
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07-03-2007, 12:21 AM	#11
aspiring335 Lieutenant Colonel 95 Rep 1,614 Posts Drives: 2019 G05 40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Got the same symbol on my 330i last night. The car wouldn't start but then I just turned everything off and hit the Start button again and it was fine. Sounds like I should take it in to have it checked out though. __________________ 2019 G05 40i (premium excellence, m-sport, 2VR), Tesla Model S 100D, Nissan Leaf SL Volvo XC90 T8, Subaru Outback, E84 X1 28i, E91 328i xdrive, 6MT, VW Touareg TDI, E90 330i, E46 325iT, MINI Cooper S (all retired)
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07-03-2007, 12:27 AM	#12
BMW F22 Major General 3566 Rep 9,788 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	I got that at the Walnut Creek meet. Nobody knew how to fix it...then in came LongTran. haha
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07-03-2007, 02:23 AM	#13
karliejai Da Kid 121 Rep 4,576 Posts Drives: JetBlack e90 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (4)	i cleaned my trunk just now... in 3am... =P __________________ MODS: OEM Front Splitter \| ACS Roof Spoiler \| OEM Trunk Spoiler \| Matt Black Front Grill \| Black Shadowline Window Trim \| Painted Front Lower Rod \| Blacklines \| JDM Yellow Fogs \| Custom Silver CF Headlights with LUX 4.0 \| Eisenhaus Sports Exhaust
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