Urgent help needed. "Steering Locked" message

[joe.skids]

Hi

My wife is currently waiting for the AA to turn up because her 1.9 DCI won't start. She inserts the card, presses the clutch and presses the start button but a message on the dash says "Steering locked" and the service light comes on. A message then comes up saying "please remove card" she takes the card out she gets a message saying "Steering not locked"

Is this a common problem????

Thanks
Joe

[nathan black]

yes this is a common problem the steering lock has knacked 99% sure. the car will not start and the locks are coded to the ecu. the locks are only suposed to be removed while they are unlocked, making it a b*****d to get off. i managed to get 1 for £260 but most renaults charge £310

hope this helps

[triumph2.5man]

Hello Joe, Nathan could be correct with his reply but I would like to offer an alternative. I've seen these messages before. First of all a bit more info required. Is it possible to start the car and drive normally? When the display reads "steering locked", can you confirm that the steering is actually locked by tugging on the steering wheel? Conversely, when it reads "steering unlocked", is it possible to turn the steering wheel? When the lock solenoid operates a distinct "clunk" can be heard. (You probably knew that....) If it is unlocked, now would be the golden opportunity to remove the lock. It is accessed below the steering wheel and the retaining bolt has a left hand thread. If you can get it off make sure the plunger is free. Test it for movement by inserting the keycard. (Obviously leave the wires connected!JJJ)
On Weds 24th Feb I posted a long diatribe headed "ELECTRONIC FAULT - SERVICE LIGHT ON". Have a butcher's at that. It will either help you, or bore you stiff! It might just be worth checking that fuse. Surely I can't be the only Megane mechanic to have encountered failure of said fuse??!!!
The best of British, sorry French, mate!
Mike

[joe.skids]

Thanks for the reply Mike. I did come across your thread while doing a search yesterday and have checked this fuse and it tests fine. Today we had the car recovered to a local garage where they managed to "free" the steering lock and now the car starts fine and seems ok. The car wouldn't start at all and the steering lock was permanently on. The garage did say it could be because the car was parked on full lock so this could be the problem.

The diagnostic computer he hooked up still says there is a fault with the steering control unit. He said this will need replacing to clear the fault and is likely to be expensive.

Does anyone know roughly how much and whats involved in replacing this???

Thanks
Joe