[Cleybrooke]

Big red warning light light and the screen saying Stop - Steering Lock failed. Thing is, it hasn't. It's the sensor on the steering lock that has failed.

Had a quote of £600 to fix it which is a reasonable chunk of cash for something that isn't in fact causing a problem - other than the big warning sign.

Question is do a I spend a significantly smaller amount and code it out so the problem is ignored? Sensor is there for a reason so that could be a little dodgy. But it's not working now so I'm not making the situation any worse...

Has anyone else had this issue and what did they do?

[P14kle]

I reset the elv counter using my diagnostic software and all was good.

Apparently every time the car senses the steering lock being activated it logs it in ecu. After a set number of logs it shows the red steering wheel symbol.

Clearing the ecu errors resets the counter, and Presto! the red error disappears..

Google 'reset elv counter' or suchlike. The guide I had was in German but easy to follow the steps. Hope this helps.

[Cleybrooke]

So I had a chap come round and he reset all the error codes - switch the car on and it errors.

Played all the you tubes of folk fixing it but he started to get a little worried then..

So - If bought an OBD2 - what software can be used to try and fix it my self? Bimmerlink? Carly? or something else.

[maxoutput]

I just installed an ELV emulator , it tricks the car into thinking all is good . The steering lock no longer activates but I think BMW removed the steering lock on late e90's anyway. Search flea bay for e90 ELV emulator. Install it then clear the codes, that should sort it. If you have hit the limit on your ELV error counter and the car won't start you may have to reset that too as well as clearing the codes however

[Robbie200]

Originally Posted by maxoutput

I just installed an ELV emulator , it tricks the car into thinking all is good . The steering lock no longer activates but I think BMW removed the steering lock on late e90's anyway. Search flea bay for e90 ELV emulator. Install it then clear the codes, that should sort it. If you have hit the limit on your ELV error counter and the car won't start you may have to reset that too as well as clearing the codes however

Just be aware that a steering lock which fails to engage should be an mot failure (failure reason 2.1.4b).

[maxoutput]

Thanks for the heads up , however am I right in saying on later e90 they changed the steering lock to initiate as the doors are locked rather than on removal of the fob. In that case how would they check it ? I could be wrong on this however as it’s just what I’ve been told as I have an early e90.

[Cookpass]

My 2009 e90 engages the steering lock when you pull the fob out, and disengages when you pop it back in again.

[maxoutput]

Interesting, looks like I’ve been fed duff info then. I may have to remove the emulator for the mot.

[maxoutput]

Just to add to the discussion and to quote the MOT regs

“If there is doubt as to whether a steering lock was originally fitted, the benefit of the doubt should be given.
It is acceptable for a steering lock to be removed if it has been replaced with another immobilisation device. ”

So as UK e90’s have factory fitted alarms and I take it immobilisers it would seem it’s ok to remove the lock actuation?

[maxoutput]

Just to update, the car went through an MOT today ,passed.
MOT inspector said as long as there isnt a warning on the dash that the lock had failed and the car had an imobiliser there was no reason to fail it.

[ChawenHalo]

I had this when changing some fuses and had missed one out. All good now.