W204 Steering lock mechanical fault diagnosed

[adrian737]

Being quite disappointed with my MB 2008 38K on the clock and does not respond to my keys. Can turn but nothing happens - steering lock still locked.
STAR mobilo diagnosed "Steering lock mechanical fault" and removed the car by special truck taken to MB local dealer.
No news from them to date but few questions:
1 Is it something that they can repair or new parts will be needed?
2. In case that new parts are required - apart from steering lock what else they may need to replace?
3 Any idea about the costs? AQs they got me now they may charge whatever they want...

Done some research - looks like it's a common problem
There shall be really a recall for that I think!

Anybody here with similar problems? What did they charge you?

 

[jaymanek]

It will be a steering lock and column module...

Id expect a bill of circa £4-500.

 

[c4pete]

Hi Adrian, my W204 C Class 2008 has just gone the same way - what did you end up paying out of interest, and how long did it take to get sorted? Cheers, Pete.

 

[minstrel]

same problem

had same problem with my slk 50000 miles on the clock cost me over £500

 

[st4]

Question, what if this fails and the car cannot be manouvered easily (say inside a garage) onto a truck.

Is there a way to move the car other than pushing it out and steer it? i.e. how to disable the steering lock....

 

[adrian737]

Hi All

Just go the message that my car has been fixed (nearly 4 weeks in the dealer!!!)
Will go to the dealer straight away and will give you some update after that.

 

[adrian737]

OK
nearly 4 weeks at the dealer
invoice £650
steering wheel lock and ignition lock replacement

not very happy!

 

[jaymanek]

why did it take so long? The parts are coded and special order but they take 5 days to come normally.

 

[adrian737]

It took a week for somebody to look at it at all - they were saying that they had scheduled work and very busy etc.
then they ordered SAM unit - didn't work out
next they ordered EIS - didn't work
then ordered Steering lock - no success
I think it was some issues with coding it etc.
Then they reordered the whole set once again as they suspected that one of the new items must be faulty.

Not quite sure

Anyway it has taken much too long and I'm thinking of making complain to UK customer care in Milton Keynes

 

[CG BAth]

W204 C Class Steering Lock Issue

Just had the same problem, I have a late 2007 C200 CDI which in the main is a fantastic vehicle.

Popped out to the shops last weekend , came back to the car and ignition dead, I could turn the key through to ignition but nothing, no lights no steering release nothing, car locked in park. (see your owners manual on how to release the gear).

The 4th Emergency service didn't have a clue and it didn't help that the recovery took over 12 hours!!!!

I've taken my car to a local Mercedes specialist (SJB Mercedes Specialist), ex Mercedes head technician at a main dealer.

He diagnosed the fault as a steering lock module fault, the whole steering column had to come out to get to the module which then had to be broken into to release the security pin...

I had to go to Mercedes with my log book and passport as proof of ownership to enable them to order the part for me.
The Module takes up to 5 days to come from Germany followed by a further three days to obtain the "Green Key" which re-programmes everything. Funny enough this can only be done by the main dealer who " can not let the key leave the building" security issue apparently, which is great but slight over kill.

Labour should be no more than 2/2.25 hours the module is approx £238.00 coding about £90.00!!!

Expect a overall cost of between £550 and £600 and don't expect to see you car for at least 10 days....

Highly unlikely to get any goodwill from Mercedes, they wont even consider it unless the main dealer does the repair.

Good News:
If you are in Bristol / Bath area SJB Mercedes Specialist in Keynsham have been excellent.

 

[cataloyking]

steering lock

I had the same problem with my c200cdi my car was off the road for 10days Mercedes sent the wrong steering lock across they said my car was made just as the change over to the blue ef model main dealer john r weir in Aberdeen were very helpful my car was under 1year old and 6000miles so a warranty job

 

[adrian737]

Quick update on my repair.

total £640
50% of the above - goodwill by MB so just £320 at the end.

Car was 4 weeks off the road.

Now sold.

 

[peter49]

Question, what if this fails and the car cannot be manouvered easily (say inside a garage) onto a truck.

Is there a way to move the car other than pushing it out and steer it? i.e. how to disable the steering lock....

This is another good reason to have vehicles serviced by an MB dealer and maintain the Mobilo Life. Let them worry about how to deal with recovering the car from a difficult location.

 

[BlackC55]

The AA RAC etc is cheaper than Mobilo in the long run.

 

[peter49]

The AA RAC etc is cheaper than Mobilo in the long run.

I can understand why you might hold that opinion.
Do you have anything to support your view?

 

[Kav4837]

I am having the same problem with my 08 C180K. the key does noty open or lock the vehicle, when put in the ignition, it does not unlock the sterring either. it turns all the way but no lights come on the dash, nor does the vehicle start.

but the other key works fine with the vehicle. Confused

 

[jaymanek]

Its your key then... You dont have a little nipper that decided to dip it in ribena do you?

 

[smoothtop59]

w204 c220 cdibsteering lock fault

Had a problem with no ignition /steering lock refusing to come about 6 months ago, luckily read all the comments here got scared when i read the costs quoted! one poster said to try tapping lock to free it before spending money. Couldnt find the steering lock!!!! so released steering column adjuster and banged up down in/out and it worked !!

system: key tells steering lock its in the ignition and to release the bolt from the column, steering lock tells ignition it has done this and ignition then switches power on and allows vehicle to start.

MY PROBLEM; when trying to remove the steering lock solenoid you need to undo 1 x mounting bolt nut from a bolt sticking out of the solenoid and through a part of the main steering column casting, once the nut is removed the bolt head should be able to be pushed back into the housing and the solenoid unit can be removed HOWEVER.....this can only be done when the steering bolt is in the disengaged position.....as my solenoid is stuck with the bolt in the engaged position i cant push the bolt head back in and allow the unit to be removed -obviously a secondary security feature but no good if i need to get the bloody thing out! anyone got any ideas please?
the car is on my drive and i dont want to disconnect the steering column i have ample room to get the little sucker out (despite all posts to the contrary- you tube helped considerably) but dont know where to go from here allready spent 12 hours on back head first in footwell and im a big lad....

 

[smoothtop59]

Hi fellas sorry not used to using this forum, and cant work out how to post back onto thread/topic

thanks for the info!
The car is a 58 plate so long time off MB warranty radar, has full service history before and after I purchased and in fact it's wear and tear not service issue
I will check the other key today before I do anything else, but I have seen the symptoms before.
When the key is put in ignition you can hear the steering lock solenoid clicking several times but lock does not release
Due to the cost and possible damage issues Im not going to have car dragged onto a recovery truck unless I have to
I have ordered a replacement used lock off eBay for £ 80.00, (cheaper than recovery) and I will ensure this works then I'm going to take a cutter to the broken one.
Once I've done this I'm going to put everything back together minus the steering lock which will be connected electrically but cable tied up out of the way so that should same happen again I can get to it, plus I can at least move the car.

Had a problem with no ignition /steering lock refusing to come about 6 months ago, luckily read all the comments here got scared when i read the costs quoted! one poster said to try tapping lock to free it before spending money. Couldnt find the steering lock!!!! so released steering column adjuster and banged up down in/out and it worked !!

system: key tells steering lock its in the ignition and to release the bolt from the column, steering lock tells ignition it has done this and ignition then switches power on and allows vehicle to start.

MY PROBLEM; when trying to remove the steering lock solenoid you need to undo 1 x mounting bolt nut from a bolt sticking out of the solenoid and through a part of the main steering column casting, once the nut is removed the bolt head should be able to be pushed back into the housing and the solenoid unit can be removed HOWEVER.....this can only be done when the steering bolt is in the disengaged position.....as my solenoid is stuck with the bolt in the engaged position i cant push the bolt head back in and allow the unit to be removed -obviously a secondary security feature but no good if i need to get the bloody thing out! anyone got any ideas please?
the car is on my drive and i dont want to disconnect the steering column i have ample room to get the little sucker out (despite all posts to the contrary- you tube helped considerably) but dont know where to go from here allready spent 12 hours on back head first in footwell and im a big lad....

 

[nrg220]

replaced steering lock

Mine played up C class 2007 but freed or cleared it by tapping round the steering column and 3 weeks later its still fine. However my mechanic said it had logged it and maybe I should change it, frustrating as its working but he said if it locks up again and doesn't come off then the job is twice as hard so replacing it. If it does fail and you can't release it then its on the back of a recovery vehicle as its dead in the water.

The actual part is about £290 inc vat no labour which is an addition. Looks like an easy fit although fiddly due to its location on the column, and it needs a special returnable programmed key to upload the cars details to the lockhence difficult for independants. The part itself is a small rectangular aluminium box with a plug in electrical connection and a slide out rectangular bolt which locks when you take your key out