[JohnMan]

So I when started the car for my drive home today, I got a yellow steering lock warning sign with some clicking sound on the steering wheel. Which is odd, since I just put in the key like always and step on the brakes to start the car as usual. Does anyone know why this is the case?

I drove the car to a petrol station for gas, when I restarted the car afterwards, there was no warning and it was back to usual. The steering feel and response seems normal and the overall driving is no different then normal.

Still, I have heard steering lock problems were known for early E90's and is this the case as well for E90's in HK?

Should I just drive as normal or should I take the car for a check-up to prevent a red steering lock warning (and having to replace the entire steering column).

[JohnMan]

Anyone?

[little_croco]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

Anyone?

which warning you are referring to? any pic showing the icon?

[RR80]

Yup, it's a known issue. Got the same problem before, end up change the steering lock.

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by little_croco

which warning you are referring to? any pic showing the icon?

The yellow one with steering wheel sign and the lock symbol next to it. The manual says to move the steering wheel to unlock it. I am worried if this happens again it might indicate a more serious problem. I don't want to have the red warning symbol where I can't even start the engine.

[RR80]

It happen to me with the clicking sound u have... ... mine keep coming back for time to time! You can try to wait abit longer to see if it will happen again!

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by RR80

It happen to me with the clicking sound u have... ... mine keep coming back for time to time! You can try to wait abit longer to see if it will happen again!

Darn, happened again today. Pop the key fob into the ignition and out pop the yellow steering lock warning sign. Can't turn on the engine and have to lock and unlock the car to get it starting again. Not a good sign, I guess I'll have to take it to BMW HK and shell out mega bucks to fix it.

As much as I like BMW, I just hate it when stuff like this happen. Why can't BMW test and correct this before putting the cars out on the market? This is what piss off customers and turn them away to...gasp...Audi or even the VW scirocco. Of course, I am exaggerating... a bit. I still have faith in BMW and their superb driveability. I don't expect them to have the same reliability as a Toyota, but it's stuff like this that really test my patience. If BMW wants to put all those fancy electronics in their car, fine. But why can't they make it reliable?! Sigh....

To prevent those BMW HK guys ripping me off and charging me a fortune (well I guess this won't be cheap anyway , but I don't want them to charge me more then necessary) how much do you think a software fix will cost? Or if they have to change the entire steering column, how much will it cost?

[JohnMan]

So I called BMW HK and they said a basic check-up cost $800 to simply determine what is wrong. Then another HK$17,000 () to replace the steering wheel if it comes to that. They could'nt tell me the price for a software fix through (I imagine it would be cheaper). Is that a reasonable amount?

Does anyone know a body ship with good BMW expertise that can charge me for less?

[RR80]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

So I called BMW HK and they said a basic check-up cost $800 to simply determine what is wrong. Then another HK$17,000 () to replace the steering wheel if it comes to that. They could'nt tell me the price for a software fix through (I imagine it would be cheaper). Is that a reasonable amount?

Does anyone know a body ship with good BMW expertise that can charge me for less?

You can't fix it by just the software, don't dream about it! better let them check which part they need to replace and let them quote you the price first!

[335 Freak]

Originally Posted by RR80

You can't fix it by just the software, don't dream about it! better let them check which part they need to replace and let them quote you the price first!

Go to Garage w/ Autologic, you can probably find out the code related to which part's malfunction....then, go to Germany Parts in TKW to buy the replacement part should be the save option!

[JohnMan]

Thanks, I'll have a look at those shops with autologic.

[335 Freak]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

Thanks, I'll have a look at those shops with autologic.

One of our forum member said, the Transmission Specialist, Tak Po has autologic...you can give it a try to save yr time in looking for garage having this machine!! Good luck..

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by 335 Freak

One of our forum member said, the Transmission Specialist, Tak Po has autologic...you can give it a try to save yr time in looking for garage having this machine!! Good luck..

Thanks for the tip. I took it to a garage with autologic. They said it's most likely a battery problem which could lead to this steering lock problem. So they replaced it with a new battery. It cost me a bit over HK$2000 when combined with the labour and inspection. So far no problems. But I just want to know whether this is really a known issue or is the garage pulling my leg? And is the HK$2000 a reasonable amount? Thanks.

[kcleung]

I had a similar problem b4, got it fixed under waranttee, think BMW replaced the steering lock solenoid.