Random Yellow Steering Wheel symbol

**patomlin76** · 15-02-2012,02:04 PM

Hi

I've done enough research on these forums to know that a possible fault on an ageing Passat B6 is the steering lock failing. This will mean the car doesn't start up, or shuts off immediately after starting.

However over the past week I have had two or three random incidents of the yellow warning popping up, and 'steering lock fault see workshop!' fault displayed on the MFD.
Both times the car has started and run for the journey. Both times the warning has gone after stopping, turning the car off and on again. There is still the audible lock/unlock sound of the steering lock mechanism.

Is this just a matter of time before it gets worse. Last time it happened was about 3 days ago, and I'm certainly not going to do anything further until it gets noticeably worse.

Other searches I've done only involve Passats which refuse to start up. Mine hasn't yet, and quite happily drives even with the warning on.

Any advice gratefully received!

Cheers

**ToMBoY_C** · 15-02-2012,03:14 PM

What year is your Passat??

**patomlin76** · 15-02-2012,06:57 PM

2005, 55, so probably the earliest you could get!

**martin1810** · 15-02-2012,07:15 PM

When the steering lock retractor and switches are a bit slow to respond, you can beat them by pushing the key to the start position too quick. That puts the yellow steering wheel light on. If yo go a bit slower from ign to start, you will probably be ok until the day when the micro switches don't react. Then it won't start.

**patomlin76** · 15-02-2012,11:04 PM

Thanks Martin, I'd guessed that maybe going too quickly wasn't helping. Past couple of days I have popped the key in, waited for the symbol to go out, then started the car... And no problems.

I'll see how it goes. Yes there may be an inevitable ending , but then again may not be... Who can tell?!

**Quatrelle** · 16-02-2012,04:09 PM

I often started mine like that until I started reading about steering lock problems on here some years ago, since when I've made sure I always let the symbol go out.

I haven't got a clue if it makes the slightest difference to the longevity of the switch though!

**patomlin76** · 16-02-2012,05:19 PM

I suppose as Martin says if you beat the system by being too quick. Yes it does show that perhaps it is operating not as fast as when it was new, but to date no more errors, and since I'm keeping the car for another 18 months max, I'm prepared to do this each time rather than fork out money for the steering lock fix...

Quatrelle, where your symptoms exactly the same as mine, as in the car was always driveable? If so, how long ago was that?

**Damwee** · 16-02-2012,09:45 PM

Has anyone tried removing the 'Locks/splines' or what ever they are. So the steering lock would still move to lock the wheel but it wouldn't actually lock. Could stop wear and tear on the lock. I know you would be left without a steering lock but they can be broken by the determined thief anyhow. Thoughts??

**patomlin76** · 16-02-2012,11:08 PM

Though complete failure hasn't happened to me, I believe this fault should be treated just like the injectors by the dealers. Unacceptable that this fault should occur when it is integral to the operation of the car...

**rapport25** · 17-02-2012,10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Quatrelle

I often started mine like that until I started reading about steering lock problems on here some years ago, since when I've made sure I always let the symbol go out.

I haven't got a clue if it makes the slightest difference to the longevity of the switch though!

Same here.