A6 Allroad Steering locked and non starting

[mhobson]

Hello, 11/2006 A6 Allroad 3.0 tdi. This morning wife was about to start a long journey, car fully loaded, car would not start. I think that she may have turned the steering wheel last night accidentally without a key in and it locked. This morning, with either of the two keys, the lock accepted the keys and the key turned but not as far as the start position all lights and MMI turned on, the steering was locked and refused to move. I disconnected the battery and reconnected after a couple of minutes but the steering was still locked and the engine will not start. I would appreciate advice as to how I may overcome this problem, Thanks, Michael

[Retrostyla]

Are your wheels straight? If not the force of wheels trying to move might get steering wheel heavy. If that's the case try to lighten the steering wheel by turning it while moving the key.

[mhobson]

No the steering wheel is locked solid and the key will turn but not as far as the start position, I have tried gentle jiggling the steering wheel in conjunction with turning the key but nothing.

[Retrostyla]

If theres force coming from the wheels you might need to use sone force to slacken the steering wheel from lock.

[Hannu5]

As above, if you've turned the steering after switch off then the tires will hold the steering column hard against the lock mechanism and prevent the key from easily
running.
Try successively either direction of pulling the steering wheel as hard as you can and hold it there while you operate the ignition. It sounds as if nothing is wrong
just that you've contrived to get a load on the steering lock mechanical parts that you need to relieve to clear it.

[erbtree1979]

Pull out the panel under the steering wheel and check the wires around the joints (steering knuckles)

The wires there rub against the colum the one for the start switch in the gear box had rubbed through and shorted out on mine. Audi quoted 2500 to fix the rack I did it with a tie wrap and some liquid rubber.

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

[mhobson]

If the steering wheel was turned without the key in it was only done lightly while my wife was adjusting the sitting position, the front wheels are straight, I know there can be issues when the steering is at full lock. I have tried wiggling the key and wheel trying to release any load but with no luck. I tried lifting a front wheel and wiggling it, steering still locked. I suspect that it may be an immobiliser problem.

[mhobson]

Just to correct a couple of errors. When I turn the ignition key it does in fact turn all the way to the start position. My car is manual and to start you have to have the clutch pedal depressed but with the pedal depressed and the ignition lock in the start position the engine does not turn on. The distance and date displays turn on when I open the door and the MMI display turns on when I turn on the ignition key but the warning lights around the speedo and rev counter do not turn on.

[smaugc6]

Scan the car you should get a steering column lock actuator fault, if you reset it the car will start again.

You'll need press brake hazard and high beam and then you can get access to the vehicle diagnostics without ignition.

[zollaf]

not just a flat battery is it ?

[mhobson]

Scan the car you should get a steering column lock actuator fault, if you reset it the car will start again.

You'll need press brake hazard and high beam and then you can get access to the vehicle diagnostics without ignition.

I have done that and cleared codes, basic options was not highlighted so did not have ability to reset, do I have to enter a security code to get access and if so what is it? Because none of the ignition lights come on I wonder if there is a different issue. Been through all fuses, all OK.

Yes (DUH!) Battery is good, nearly new, nonetheless I charged it all night, problem persists.

[smaugc6]

Was there a code in the start authorisation module for steering column lock actuator

[smaugc6]

06 Audi A6 ignition problem solved - YouTube (https://youtu.be/MIpXZHf3EUo)

Have a look at this video this should explain it, because yours is a manual I think the key doesn't get stuck.

[mhobson]

Was there a code in the start authorisation module for steering column lock actuator

You are rather ahead of me here, the computer is just borrowed, I don't really know what I am doing. I looked in 15 Steering, found and deleted codes (the date and time on those codes was some hours after the initial problem arose) but the options button where I had hoped to find the reset option was not available. Where is the start authorisation module?

[smaugc6]

I think it's module 5 the acc/start auth module that you need to scan and there should be a fault for a steering column lock actuator.

[mhobson]

I think it's module 5 the acc/start auth module that you need to scan and there should be a fault for a steering column lock actuator.
Yes there are faults relating to that in Add 05 acc/start, add 08 hvac, add 09 cent elec and add 19 can gateway. Laptop battery flat have to wsit a while. So there should hopefully be a reset option in the 05 acc/start area.

[smaugc6]

Perfect just reset the codes and it should start again, keep posted if it does.

[mhobson]

Sorted, Massive thanks smaugc6, would not have done it without you, WONDERFUL!!!!!!

[MarkTM]

I love it when a plan comes together! :D

[carbonman]

Yes there are faults relating to that in Add 05 acc/start, add 08 hvac, add 09 cent elec and add 19 can gateway. Laptop battery flat have to wsit a while. So there should hopefully be a reset option in the 05 acc/start area.

Does anyone know if this works in vcds-lite? Or does it need full blown vcds?

Thanks

[Vagnuts]

Does anyone know if this works in vcds-lite? Or does it need full blown vcds?

Thanks Far as I know--it will have to be the full blown vagcm/VCDS, the light version is limited !!! no doubt if I am wrong someone out there will put me rite !!!

[mhobson]

Hello, Do not know the answer to the VAG com Lite question but I have resolved the basic issue and recommend you look at my post 'Steering Column Lock Actuator (N360)' I will be updating the post shortly