Bit of a nightmare, had the car packed ready for a trip and then turned the key…

First I thought the battery was flat as turned the key and it struggled to crank / something like the steering wheel motor made a noise.

Then I tried again and the ignition is locked, turns a bit but not enough to get to position 1. The column still moves up and down freely via the stork but it didn’t go back to the off position.

Had to move everything to my wife’s Honda civic… not ideal.

Any ideas on what the most likely cause is?

Whatever this I am guessing it’s not an easy fix… 2009 pre-facelift 3.6 TDV8.

could be simple - try this first

Excerpt from RAVE: If the vehicle is unlocked and the ignition key is not put into the ignition switch, the immobilisation ECU de-energises the transponder coil and goes back into the sleep mode after approx 60 seconds. When the ignition key is subsequently put into the ignition switch and turned through 10 to 20deg, the steering lock senses the movement and sends a 'request electronic vehicle immobiliser status' message on the K bus. The message wakes the immobilisation ECU, which energises the transponder coil and commences the transponder/ignition key identification and engine mobilisation process.

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic43157.html


Could also be the ignition barrel, they can get pretty mucky and full of crap, that could also be the culprit !

Could be the steering column ( specifically the safety release solenoid actuator )

If you have the dreaded ignition Lock, it's possible it's the magnet in your steering column !

If when you first put your key in, you don't hear lots of little Clicks from your steering column (not ignition) it's then more likely it's the steering column.

Last edited by pcourtney on 19th Aug 2024 3:28pm. Edited 1 time in total

I will try the above but from reading a bit more it sound like a ‘fuse 18’ issue. My steering column isn’t locked currently (key out car locked).

Lot of chat about emulators etc. Doesn’t sound easy or fun.

My car was unlocked for quite a while (packing it up) before I tried to start it. No idea if that had a part to play. I also have a spare key - may try that incase it resets anything (unlikely I know).

If anyone in the Herts / Essex / south Suffolk area knows someone who knows what they are doing please let me know.

Nothing simple about these cars hey. 2009 pre-facelift 3.6 TDV8.

I don't know if the fuse 18 trick is applicable to your MY but you can certainly try that. Alternatively you can disconnect the (-) wait for a couple minutes then reconnect and try the ignition again. If either of these tricks works and you still cannot hear the steering column locking mechanism in action upon offering up the key near the ignition barrel, then chances are that your column lock has failed in the open position (how they usually fail). An emulator, imho, is your best option as it is less than 100 quid to buy and less than 15 minutes to install by yourself. You do lose the steering column locking functionality but with the way it is designed, I don't really want it on my car and besides, any self respecting car thief couldn't care less.

Is there a respected emulator company / brand? From what I have read there’s a bit of wiring work do do? Or is it just plug and play?

It’s stressed me out a bit this issue! 2009 pre-facelift 3.6 TDV8.

If you prefer to get it done by experts, there is a firm that I used in Brentwood ( behind the car wash place ) , and if you can't drive it there, they will come to you.

https://www.carkeyssolutions.co.uk/

Great thanks, what issue did you get solved? The same thing?

I would much, much prefer this to be done once and done right!

Roughly what did it cost you? 2009 pre-facelift 3.6 TDV8.

They sorted out a few things when I bought my 2004 L322 car, as you know there are lots of BMW parts used on this era of cars, plus the M62 V8 engine, the guy that came out was excellent, knew about the EWS ( another BMW part) and sorted out the ignition not turning, the steering lock, and cut 2 more keys and coded them for me ( I had already bought the blank keys with transponders in them )

I know I would not have used them if it was not reasonable, I remember them wanting £50 or so when I booked the chap, like a call out fee, then paying the guy in the van about £100, but could well have been more !

You should call them and ask for latest pricing, maybe they don't even go out that far - where is the car based ?

If you are willing to have the steering column lock repaired and can get it done for reasonable money, then by all means go ahead. That is what I did. But the lock failed again withing weeks of the repair. The garage did make right but I had also ordered my emulator from Goldcar. It is a Turkish company so expect some inport dues + vat, about 100 quid all told. Delivery was by DHL within 5 working days. Last time I checked they had updated their plug connector with a latch safe. And it's 100% plug and play; no wiring no soldering; just unplug the ECU and plug the emulator. I made the conscious decision to use the emulator instead of my repaired lock and it's been working flawlessly for almost 3 years now

Here:

https://goldcarkeys.com/product/for-range-...-emulator/

Thanks for all the advice so far. 2009 pre-facelift 3.6 TDV8.

pcourtney wrote:

You should call them and ask for latest pricing, maybe they don't even go out that far - where is the car based ?

Kit - what did Car Solutions say ??

I got through to some bookings agent, I think I need to find the number for the actual Brentwood site and give them a call.

I was told the call out / diagnosis is £160 but if fixable that the job comes out of that price, or something to that effect. 2009 pre-facelift 3.6 TDV8.

this might be the Brentwood Branch 020 8088 3140

maybe message them on facebook - it might be easier - good luck

and do they, or can they still do the steeing column lock delete ?

https://www.facebook.com/CarKeysSolutions.co.uk

Thanks.

Now I am back from a long trip in the very reliable Honda, I noticed that when I unlock the car the steering wheel moves to the driving position, when I open the door it moves back to the off (top) position.

It’s one confused car at the min. 2009 pre-facelift 3.6 TDV8.