Steering wheel column emulator for 2013 W212 E220

[kendog91]

Pecars (Doncaster) wanted to charge £450+VAT (steering unlocked) or £600+VAT (steering locked).

Found a autolock smith who deals with these issue who supplies and fits the emulator for £150, he’s coming Tuesday.

I’ve never heard of this issue before now, how common is it?

There were no signs of the module going, everything worked as it should and always started first time (any weather).

 

[markjay]

What's the actual fault with the car?

(And, if the emulator cancels the steering wheel lock, then I doubt your insurance will be impressed with this setup)

 

[kendog91]

The Fault codes are:
Uo429
Uo416

 

[markjay]

The Fault codes are:
Uo429
Uo416

These are generic OBDII fault codes - has the car been scanned with MB STAR?

Also, apart from the fault codes, what are the actual symptoms, I.e. what it actually wrong with the car?

 

[kendog91]

I had RAC out who scanned the car and recommended Pecars to fit an emulator.

There is no electrical nose when inserting the key and I turn the key all the way, nothing happens.
I’ve changed key fob batteries, checked car batteries, fuses. Still nothing…hence calling RAC.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Pecars (Doncaster) wanted to charge £450+VAT (steering unlocked) or £600+VAT (steering locked).

Found a autolock smith who deals with these issue who supplies and fits the emulator for £150, he’s coming Tuesday.

I’ve never heard of this issue before now, how common is it?

There were no signs of the module going, everything worked as it should and always started first time (any weather).

Across the MB range, EIS and/or ESL problems are a known issue.
The steering lock can be a particular PITA if it fails in the locked position.

 

[kendog91]

Across the MB range, EIS and/or ESL problems are a known issue.
The steering lock can be a particular PITA if it fails in the locked position.

If it’s a common issue do dealerships replace FOC like rear subframes? (Had mine done last year FOC)

 

[markjay]

I had RAC out who scanned the car and recommended Pecars to fit an emulator.

Pecars (Doncaster) wanted to charge £450+VAT (steering unlocked) or £600+VAT (steering locked).

Found a autolock smith who deals with these issue who supplies and fits the emulator for £150, he’s coming Tuesday.

Which is this, then?

I.e., did the RAC actually recommend an emulator, or a proper fix?

 

[kendog91]

They recommend Pecars, who then told me an emulator is needed to fix the issue and stop it reoccurring.

The Auto Locksmith is Doncaster based. I rang and told them the issue, they also advised an emulator to be fitted.

The predicament I am in is that I am going away on holiday for 2 weeks next week and need the car, the quickest and cheapest option for me is the emulator to be fitted and then I’ll book it into the indie when I’m back.

Oh also the Indie Suggested an emulator to be fitted and quoted £600+ transport fees as they’re not mobile.

 

[SpikyMikey]

If it’s a common issue do dealerships replace FOC like rear subframes?

That'll be the day...

 

[markjay]

That'll be the day...

More likely the dealer will charge you a diagnostic fee before rejecting the repair as a warranty claim...

 

[tony gee]

with my last w204 (2009) it sometimes sounded a bit lazy so decided to unbolt it from the steering column and cable tie it up but leave it plugged in, yeah i know its not recommended but if it ever failed the steering wont be locked on and you can still start the car with a short bit of wire to get you home.

 

[john493]

So if you fit an emulator, does that mean the steering lock is permanently disabled ?

 

[kendog91]

So if you fit an emulator, does that mean the steering lock is permanently disabled ?

Yeah the emulator bypasses the ESL. I used a company in Birmingham called RMK located in small heath. They managed to repair my corrupted ESL, replaced the motors and now it works fine.

I have decided to not bolt it to the steering column and cable tie it up to prevent it from happening again. Mine is the FBS4 which means dealership only…£1100.

Emulators can only be fitted to the FBS3’s

 

[Petrol Pete]

 

[ALFAitalia]

Joking apart...even though my ESL is fine I use a Milenco steering lock as well...saves me fifty quid a year on the insurance!