My car just got stuck!

Broken1 · 12-28-2005, 01:31 PM

I went out for supper tonight, and as I was leaving my car (locking it from the outside) I saw a warning light: A steering wheel which a lock.

I told my girlfriend, oh oh we gonna have problems when we get back - and she proceeded to shit on me for 10 minutes about my car obsession. Needless to say - when we got back to the car, and I unlocked it..the warning light came back on.

I tried starting it - and the car wouldn't start!! I tried moving the wheel, putting the key in and out (to try and unlock the steering wheel lock). I eventually decided to call BMW On-Call (our version of assist) who got a technitian on the line...

As I was explaining the icon to him...i tried starting it once more - and sshhhhiiiipppppppppp the steering wheel lock disengaged and the car started.

I wonder why my steering wheel lock got stuck. I hope it doesn't happen often!

Lucky it started....otherwise the car would have to have been towed :-)

HRC · 12-28-2005, 01:46 PM

Sounds like the ECU coughed for a moment!! I hope it doesn't happen again!!

BTW, I hear the same thing from my wife!!

Danny

E90Fleet · 12-28-2005, 01:49 PM

You mentioned in another post you have had something like this before

Maybe you need to have it looked at next time you have time, maybe its a bad connector or motor or maybe a cover that gets in the way sometimes

Could it be it happens at certain steering wheel angles ( not centering the wheel before stopping the car ???

txusa03 · 12-28-2005, 01:54 PM

never had this happened to me at all. So I would get the dealer to investigate the cause.

Broken1 · 12-28-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

You mentioned in another post you have had something like this before

Maybe you need to have it looked at next time you have time, maybe its a bad connector or motor or maybe a cover that gets in the way sometimes

Could it be it happens at certain steering wheel angles ( not centering the wheel before stopping the car ???

It happened once when the car was very new, that the light came on when i tried to start it- and then a wiggle of the wheel let it release. I figured at the time, it was like the olden day steering wheel locks - that needed a bit of jiggle to unlock when turning the key.

This time, the light came on for the first time when I stopped the car and tried to lock it. I'll monitor it - I don't feel like taking it in - the poeple at JSN now know me...and I had a forman drive my car the other day because my clutch shudder returned. Obviously when he drove it, there was nothing wrong...and there has been nothing wrong since.

Maybe at the next service...I'll tell them to check it. Only 10 000km's to go :-)

If it happens again, I won't try a self remedy - I'll let BMW oncall come and have a look.

What fixed it tonight, was putting the key in and out a few times...which eventually let the lock engage and disengage.

Broken1 · 12-28-2005, 02:31 PM

I would also like to add to this thread...that my car on the whole has been virtually trouble free. I did have one problem, which was a known problem - related to the car being an early production version - before all the issues could be resolved.

David328M-Sport · 12-28-2005, 02:33 PM

yes, my first thoughts were the angle of the steering wheel. could it have been forcing something to prevent a clean start?

obviously the car's computer warning system was active but if this has happened before and you do leave your steering wheel nicely centred, then maybe get it checked out by the good service guys where your other problem was fixed.

of course mr fleet is correct again.

hope you get it sorted.

sorry about our obsession with our bmws broken1's girlfriend. us guys are the same worldwide.
i'm sure broken1 makes it up to you in other ways.

all the Best.

Bimmerista · 12-28-2005, 02:35 PM

Maybe you should change your on-line name to break the spell....

Broken1 · 12-28-2005, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David325Australia

sorry about our obsession with our bmws broken1's girlfriend. us guys are the same worldwide.
i'm sure broken1 makes it up to you in other ways.

all the Best.

It was quite funny actually. She though I was just over-reacting, and talking about my car - and then when it wouldn't start...I was like hah...told you something was wrong! She appologized for crapping on me!

Could the steering wheel lock have anything to do with the fact my car was parked on gravel? (I doubt it - just thought it might be worth mentioning)

Ps. I didn't drive on Gravel - The car park looked like the picture I've added below:

thrill30 · 12-28-2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

It happened once when the car was very new, that the light came on when i tried to start it- and then a wiggle of the wheel let it release. I figured at the time, it was like the olden day steering wheel locks - that needed a bit of jiggle to unlock when turning the key.

This time, the light came on for the first time when I stopped the car and tried to lock it. I'll monitor it - I don't feel like taking it in - the poeple at JSN now know me...and I had a forman drive my car the other day because my clutch shudder returned. Obviously when he drove it, there was nothing wrong...and there has been nothing wrong since.

Maybe at the next service...I'll tell them to check it. Only 10 000km's to go :-)

If it happens again, I won't try a self remedy - I'll let BMW oncall come and have a look.

What fixed it tonight, was putting the key in and out a few times...which eventually let the lock engage and disengage.

My observation is that this problem seems to affect cars with Comfort Access... I had the same problem a few months back, and I also solved it by putting the keyfob in... just like you.

Let us know what they say when you take your car in.

I did report mine when this problem happened a few months back, but they asked me to book the car in... they also told me that it's a known problem (the 7 series has it as well).... I told them that I will wait and report it when I bring the car in for its first service.

I'm just having so much fun driving it at the moment... taking it in is not a priority, since this problem only happened once, and I also know how to temporarily "fix" it.

thrill30 · 12-28-2005, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

Could the steering wheel lock have anything to do with the fact my car was parked on gravel? (I doubt it - just thought it might be worth mentioning)

Ps. I didn't drive on Gravel - The car park looked like the picture I've added below:

I don't think gravel had a hand at all..... when it happened to me, I was nowhere near gravel.... I had just switched off the engine to fill up petrol at a garage.... when I tried to start up.... nothing happened, except for the annoying steering wheel icon :mad: .

Broken1 · 12-28-2005, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrill30

I don't think gravel had a hand at all..... when it happened to me, I was nowhere near gravel.... I had just switched off the engine to fill up petrol at a garage.... when I tried to start up.... nothing happened, except for the annoying steering wheel icon :mad: .

Okay thanks! Good to know it wasn't just me. I don't think I'm going to take it in now...I'll see if it happens more - at least I got it going tonight!!

Like you, I'll mention it at the next service...and they can check it out (unless it happens again)

croaker · 12-28-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

Sounds like the ECU coughed for a moment!! I hope it doesn't happen again!!

BTW, I hear the same thing from my wife!!

Danny

mine to.

LEDZEP · 12-28-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

It was quite funny actually. She though I was just over-reacting, and talking about my car - and then when it wouldn't start...I was like hah...told you something was wrong! She appologized for crapping on me!

Could the steering wheel lock have anything to do with the fact my car was parked on gravel? (I doubt it - just thought it might be worth mentioning)

Ps. I didn't drive on Gravel - The car park looked like the picture I've added below:

Hey, isn't that were Kennedy was shot?

Atty · 12-28-2005, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Hey, isn't that were Kennedy was shot?

hahaha - I was actually thinking that parking by that Jeep might have been the culprit. just my 2 cents

cntlaw · 12-28-2005, 09:14 PM

This situation is not a fault. It will happen to any cars with electric assist steering e.g. BMW, MB. May be I was not remembering this correctly, when it happended once to my E320, All I need to do is to set the gear to D or Neutral, turn the steering left and right and also step a bit on the brake lightly.....may be someone here can give a better procedure to sort this issue.

ksfrogman · 12-28-2005, 09:26 PM

Broken1, you are the Stick Diagram master.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

Ps. I didn't drive on Gravel - The car park looked like the picture I've added below:

lungdoctor · 12-28-2005, 09:43 PM

This also happened to my 330xi with the steering wheel lock displayed, it was towed to the dealer and had a bad igition relay switch replaced. The problem has not recurred.

ON325i · 12-28-2005, 09:49 PM

It is actually on the manual when u see the yellow steering wheel lock icon.

You just need to move the wheel left and right to "unjam" it. It is just some electronic hiccups.

David328M-Sport · 12-28-2005, 10:48 PM

Hey Broken 1,

I can see from your expicit diagram what the problem was. It's the dreaded trapezoidal or parallelogram effect. I read it in a bmw bulletin recently. The car goes out of square as you clearly drew and of course there are all sorts of stresses placed on various components. Happens to 320ds in South Africa when parked on gravel. Must be the altitude.

The "sshhhhiiiipppppppppp" sound you heard was the computers realigning the car for a quick exit. Lucky man, you.

I also noticed the poor quality Jeep build where the double red line is. Terrible, just terrible.

David328M-Sport · 12-28-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Hey, isn't that were Kennedy was shot?

In South Africa???
I thought it was in South America.

Oz · 12-28-2005, 10:51 PM

That's a really nice drawing Broken1

12-28-2005, 01:31 PM	#1
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	My car just got stuck! I went out for supper tonight, and as I was leaving my car (locking it from the outside) I saw a warning light: A steering wheel which a lock. I told my girlfriend, oh oh we gonna have problems when we get back - and she proceeded to shit on me for 10 minutes about my car obsession. Needless to say - when we got back to the car, and I unlocked it..the warning light came back on. I tried starting it - and the car wouldn't start!! I tried moving the wheel, putting the key in and out (to try and unlock the steering wheel lock). I eventually decided to call BMW On-Call (our version of assist) who got a technitian on the line... As I was explaining the icon to him...i tried starting it once more - and sshhhhiiiipppppppppp the steering wheel lock disengaged and the car started. I wonder why my steering wheel lock got stuck. I hope it doesn't happen often! Lucky it started....otherwise the car would have to have been towed :-)
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12-28-2005, 01:46 PM	#2
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	Sounds like the ECU coughed for a moment!! I hope it doesn't happen again!! BTW, I hear the same thing from my wife!! Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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12-28-2005, 01:49 PM	#3
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	You mentioned in another post you have had something like this before Maybe you need to have it looked at next time you have time, maybe its a bad connector or motor or maybe a cover that gets in the way sometimes Could it be it happens at certain steering wheel angles ( not centering the wheel before stopping the car ???
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12-28-2005, 01:54 PM	#4
txusa03 Major General 550 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	never had this happened to me at all. So I would get the dealer to investigate the cause.
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12-28-2005, 02:31 PM	#6
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I would also like to add to this thread...that my car on the whole has been virtually trouble free. I did have one problem, which was a known problem - related to the car being an early production version - before all the issues could be resolved.
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12-28-2005, 02:33 PM	#7
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	yes, my first thoughts were the angle of the steering wheel. could it have been forcing something to prevent a clean start? obviously the car's computer warning system was active but if this has happened before and you do leave your steering wheel nicely centred, then maybe get it checked out by the good service guys where your other problem was fixed. of course mr fleet is correct again. hope you get it sorted. sorry about our obsession with our bmws broken1's girlfriend. us guys are the same worldwide. i'm sure broken1 makes it up to you in other ways. all the Best. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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12-28-2005, 02:35 PM	#8
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	Maybe you should change your on-line name to break the spell....
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12-28-2005, 09:14 PM	#16
cntlaw Major General 235 Rep 6,874 Posts Drives: 330i E90 C55 AMG Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i E90 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i E90 [0.00] 2005 Mercedes Benz ... [0.00] 2002 Z3 2.2 USA Spo ... [0.00] 2002 Toyota MR-S Co ... [0.00]	This situation is not a fault. It will happen to any cars with electric assist steering e.g. BMW, MB. May be I was not remembering this correctly, when it happended once to my E320, All I need to do is to set the gear to D or Neutral, turn the steering left and right and also step a bit on the brake lightly.....may be someone here can give a better procedure to sort this issue. __________________ BMW 2006 330i E90 Jet Black/Black Leathers/Aluminium, Steptronic Active Steering; MTech Aero Kit Carbon Fibre Splitters/Diffuser. Bilstein PSS9 Coilover, Rays VOLK Racing RE30 Formula Limited Edition 18" Pirelli Rosso; Project Mu 355mm Forged 4pot Caliper. HID:Osram D1S 6000K, PIAA 6500K White Ring, Philips Diamond Vision HB4 5000K, PIAA H490/H491 Super Bright 6500K LED Interior Lights. Chrome S.Wheel Cover, Rear Windows Sunshades.
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12-28-2005, 09:43 PM	#18
lungdoctor Enlisted Member 1 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Hope, Pa iTrader: (0)	330xi igition Failure Steering Wheel Lock displayed This also happened to my 330xi with the steering wheel lock displayed, it was towed to the dealer and had a bad igition relay switch replaced. The problem has not recurred.
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12-28-2005, 09:49 PM	#19
ON325i Captain 18 Rep 740 Posts Drives: e90 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 e90 325i [0.00]	It is actually on the manual when u see the yellow steering wheel lock icon. You just need to move the wheel left and right to "unjam" it. It is just some electronic hiccups. __________________ e90 325i Jet Black / Sports Pkg / Auto
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12-28-2005, 10:48 PM	#20
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	Hey Broken 1, I can see from your expicit diagram what the problem was. It's the dreaded trapezoidal or parallelogram effect. I read it in a bmw bulletin recently. The car goes out of square as you clearly drew and of course there are all sorts of stresses placed on various components. Happens to 320ds in South Africa when parked on gravel. Must be the altitude. The "sshhhhiiiipppppppppp" sound you heard was the computers realigning the car for a quick exit. Lucky man, you. I also noticed the poor quality Jeep build where the double red line is. Terrible, just terrible. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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12-28-2005, 10:51 PM	#22
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	That's a really nice drawing Broken1 __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
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