Steering Lock "please Turn Wheel"

Greetings! I too am new to this Volvo Forum.

I've recently encountered the issue that you encountered with the "STEERING LOCKED" and "IMMOBILIZER" messages after I parked my 2006 S40 T5 AWD.

I was wondering if your could tell me what became of your situation.

Thanks

As you mention, ggoodall, this is a serious and dangerous fault. Below I have copied information from Volvo's description of the S40/V50 electrical system which indicates the steering lock only engages when the car is not in motion and the engine switched off. Your car had both the engine running and was in motion so obviously there is a worrying design fault. Possibly there was a mechanical jam in the steering lock mechanism. Nevertheless this should have been sensed and the car not allowed to start for safety. Could you please keep this forum informed of your progress with this problem?

"Steering Column Lock (SCL) communicates with
the CEM via LIN and is installed on the underside
of the steering column.
Electric motor
Spring bolt
Micro-switches
Transponder (communication circuit)
The lock is only active when the car is not in
motion and the engine is switched off. While
moving the SCL is monitored by the CEM. This
module contains software which must be
downloaded when replaced."

Yes I will let you know what happens.

Where did you get the info provided below?

QUOTE (Platypup @ Jul 10 2011, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>As you mention, ggoodall, this is a serious and dangerous fault. Below I have copied information from Volvo's description of the S40/V50 electrical system which indicates the steering lock only engages when the car is not in motion and the engine switched off. Your car had both the engine running and was in motion so obviously there is a worrying design fault. Possibly there was a mechanical jam in the steering lock mechanism. Nevertheless this should have been sensed and the car not allowed to start for safety. Could you please keep this forum informed of your progress with this problem?

"Steering Column Lock (SCL) communicates with
the CEM via LIN and is installed on the underside
of the steering column.
Electric motor
Spring bolt
Micro-switches
Transponder (communication circuit)
The lock is only active when the car is not in
motion and the engine is switched off. While
moving the SCL is monitored by the CEM. This
module contains software which must be
downloaded when replaced."

Car is back and fixed, here is what happened:

Issue: Steering locked while vehicle in motion & running. Once stopped, the car displayed the "steering locked, please try again" error. Prior to this we had never had a "steering locked" issue, but we had experienced 5 instances where the car would not unlock the steering or start due to a "Key error, please try again". The key error would eventually go away after numerous attempts.

Actions Taken:

• Filed NHTSA complaint # 10411674
• Called Volvo Corp to complain and request "good will" repair since issue was a serious safety hazard. They were not helpful and said the warranty of 50k miles was to "protect me", and after that they were not accountable for issues. They said goodwill would not be offered unless all maintenance had been done at an authorized dealer.
• Emailed Volvo Corp with the same details as above and got a similar response as when I called. I replied to their message and emphasized the serious safety risk this issue posed, and was clear that I would be very vocal about this issue if they didn't make it right. They were more engaging the second time around...they recommended i take the car to a dealer and have them request goodwill on my behalf.

Resolution:
Car was towed to Sandberg Volvo north of Seattle, WA. I was very pleased with their service. They requested goodwill from the regional manager who offered to cover the parts (but not labor). In the end the Steering Column Lock (SCL) unit (goes on the underside of steering column and requires programming so you can't easily do this at home) and the ignition were replaced. The ignition was replaced to hopefully resolve the "key error" issue. In the end I paid 600 which was for labor and towing. Volvo covered the parts which were ~400.

Overall I was very pleased with the dealer, and am glad Volvo paid for the parts, but feel more should have been done. I doubt they will take any action on the safety risk. I was also displeased that I had to be so aggressive to get any attention from Volvo corp. It also sounds like the issue with this part has not been resolved, so I may run into this again in 50-100k more miles.

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and new to Volvo ownership. Two days ago I was half way to my appointment and stopped to get a coffee. My C30 wouldn't restart with the error message "turn wheel and try start again". I could turn the steering left and right as it was not locked.
I noticed that the usual zzzzrrpp noise wasn't made when the key went into the ignition. The key turned and all the dash lights and other things worked. The road service guy reset the computer codes and disconnected the battery and still no start and same error message. I had the C30 towed to SVM Volvo dealer in Chatswood. Their report said that there is a mechanical fault in the steering lock it will need replacing. The key and ignition are OK. So I'm waiting for the call to pick it up and terrified at what it will cost.

I had this error message about two weeks earlier but when I turned the wheel the car started. So maybe if you get this message at any time have it checked out before it becomes a more seriuos problem.