Please take load off steering wheel - cannot start car

[tommytee]

Morning all,
about a 6 weeks ago on a cold morning I inserted key and it was unable to unlock the steering wheel, the console read "Please take load off steering wheel". nothing would come on except for the radio, meaning handbrake was unable to be released. jiggled around with key and nothing, rang garage (not a AUdi dealership but a run by ex audi dealership head mechanic who knows his audi's and i would consider the next best thing to a dealership without the silly prices ;-). Called for a tow but that was proving difficult due to handbrake and how car was parked. tried it one last time and key went full turn unlocking the wheel and able to start car. Also disconnected battery, and swapped key, neither of which did anything, trying to man handle the steering wheel did nothing either.. Its happening again and very stressful when getting kids out to school in morning,
I did get it to the mechanic and the issue did not repeat itself whilst in their care and noting logged on ecu, result = waste of money getting a rental for a couple of days.

NOTE: the wheel goes to 'locked' when I park up car and turn it off, it auto locks- is this the norm as some comments on web they mention they can turn the steering wheel, in my case it is impossible as it is locked.
I think it seems to happen more and more in cold weather, battery is fine. its a a2.0TDI with 120k on clock,

any ideas what is causing this, i have looked online and see I am not alone but nobody follows up posts on a fix/resolution

many thanks
Tom

[gupsterg]

Welcome to VWAF! .

Something to try.

[tommytee]

Cheers, i have seen that post already -doesnt apply as he seems to be able to turn steeting wheel when key is in, my steering wheel is completely locked and moves about 1 degree earch way. With my car it eventually unlocks and I can start car - but can tke up to 10 mins messing around with it, heardly idea if i want move it on,
dont know if i'd go a6 again, have had issues with it :-(

[gupsterg]

OK, trust me I also had a mare of a time with my car first 2yrs, sunk ~£7k IIRC, so I know the feeling .

The scan tool used was it VCDS or V.A.S 5051B? as some diags tools don't get all the diags data. I'm aware you mentioned indi garage has ex-Audi tech there, but just trying to cover all bases.

[tommytee]

OK, you right, the diagnostics is most likely only as good as the tool used to diagnose,
What I'll probably do is give it to them for an hour and see what happens, and meanwhile i can check with current garage if they have a catch all diagnostics gadget ;-)
makes sense

[gupsterg]

No problem .

VCDS is pretty much like vag dealer diag tool (V.A.S machine), here on VCDS site you can see a compare of DTC data gained by OBD tool vs it. Some indi garages do have V.A.S 5051B, so perhaps find one which does, if you are avoiding main dealer pricing for diags. These tools not only pull out DTC but give access to live data from "things", so the tech has more to go on for diagnosis, VCDS/V.A.S can also actuate "things" at will for testing, like locking mechanism, etc.

[niall campbell]

have you tried , turning the key upside down .......................... or even a spare key ?

Or even pulling the steering wheel out or even in & adjusting up and down ?


Your not pulling yourself in or pulling yourself out by gripping the wheel ?