Fixing a Steering Lock Fault on a Mercedes A180 Sport
The Mercedes A180 Sport is revolutionising the luxury car industry with its sophisticated design, advanced technology, and powerful engine. Despite its success, some owners have reported issues with the steering lock, and unfortunately, a recent customer of South Coast Garage encountered this issue.
We understand how frustrating it can be to have a car problem that cannot be easily fixed, especially if you have already taken your vehicle to another garage without success.
At South Coast Garage, we specialise in Mercedes Benz and were able to diagnose and fix the steering lock issue for one Mercedes A180 Sport owner who had their car towed to our Eastbourne garage. Keep reading to find out more about the solution we provided.
What is a Steering Lock?
The steering lock is a security measure that makes it difficult to steer the vehicle when it’s activated. The purpose of this system is to deter theft by making it harder for a thief to drive away with the car.
In a Mercedes-Benz, this feature is activated automatically when the key is removed from the ignition or by manually pressing a button or switch on the dashboard or centre console.
When a fault occurs in the steering lock of a Mercedes, the steering wheel becomes locked, making it difficult or impossible to steer the vehicle. This type of fault can be dangerous, so it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. Thankfully our customer recognised this and brought their Mercedes A180 Sport to our Mercedes experts at South Coast Garage.
How to fix a steering lock fault on a Mercedes A180 Sport
There can be various reasons for a steering lock fault in a Mercedes A180 Sport. The steering lock is typically operated by an electric motor known as the steering lock actuator, which is controlled by a computer called the steering lock module. The module receives inputs from different sensors and sends commands to the actuator.
The complex nature of this security feature means that the steering lock issue in this Mercedes A180 could be caused by a malfunctioning actuator, a faulty module, or an issue with the wiring or other electrical components. As a consequence, iIt is always best to take your Mercedes Benz to an expert to diagnose and fix a steering lock issue.
Our Mercedes experts at South Coast Garage use a multi-step diagnostic process to find the root cause of the issue, and also inspect other components of the vehicle to ensure that there are no additional problems that could be causing the steering lock fault.
The Clues
At South Coast Garage, we use various clues to help us diagnose and fix vehicle issues, such as the case with a Mercedes A180 Sport. In this case, there were three major clues that helped us start to pinpoint the problem:
- The steering lock was not functioning properly
- The immobiliser was not working
- The key was not being recognised
These clues provided valuable information to our team of experts in determining the cause of the issue and finding a solution.
To identify the underlying issue with our customers Mercedes A180 Sport, our expert technician at South Coast Garage followed a specific process.
- Inspection: He visually examined the steering lock and surrounding area for any signs of damage or wear, including checking the wiring and connections for corrosion or damage.
- Diagnostic evaluation: He used Mercedes dealer software to read and diagnose any diagnostic fault codes stored in the car’s computer system, but there were no codes present.
- System test: He conducted a system test on the steering lock control module using dealer-level software to verify the communication between the module and other control units, input and output signals, and supply voltage.
- Actuator test: Finally, he tested the steering lock actuator to check its function and ability to lock and unlock the steering wheel.
The outcome of these tests indicated that the fault was with the steering lock control module, which was then replaced using a genuine Mercedes-Benz part.
At South Coast Garage, we ensure the highest quality of service, expertise and parts are used to fix vehicles for our Mercedes Benz customers. Afterall, a high quality vehicle like the A180 Sport needs high quality parts and service to maintain it as the manufacturer intended.
The Fix
Replacing the steering lock control module on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle is a task that should be done by a trained and experienced Mercedes expert technician, as it requires specialised knowledge and equipment.
The specific steps involved in replacing the module will depend on the model and year of your Mercedes, but at South Coast Garage, our process typically includes the following steps:
- Diagnose the problem: Before replacing the steering lock control module, it is crucial that our Mercedes technician accurately diagnoses the problem and confirms that the module is the source of the issue. This guarantees that you only pay for the work that addresses the root cause of the problem.
- Remove the module: Our technician removes the steering lock control module from its location in the vehicle. The location of the module can vary depending on the model, and it can be found under the steering wheel, in the dashboard, or in the engine compartment.
- Replace the module: Once the old module has been removed, our technician installs the new one.
- Re-program the module: After the new module has been installed, our technician reprograms the module using Mercedes software, to allow the new module to be recognised by the vehicle’s computer system and function correctly.
- Recoding the module: The steering lock control module is then programmed to recognise the unique code of the lock cylinder that has been installed in the vehicle. When the lock cylinder is replaced with a new one, the code will be different, and the steering lock control module will not recognise it. To ensure that the steering lock functions properly after the lock cylinder is replaced, it is necessary to recode the steering lock control module to recognise the new lock cylinder. This step is crucial as it ensures that the steering lock will function properly and prevent unauthorised use of the vehicle.
- Test drive the vehicle: Our technician test drives the vehicle to ensure that the steering lock and the immobiliser system are functioning properly.
- Clear fault codes: Finally, our Mercedes specialist technicians checks and clears any fault codes stored in the module and the vehicle’s ECM to ensure that everything is running correctly.
At South Coast Garage, we are proud to have trained and experienced technicians who are knowledgeable in Mercedes and able to diagnose and fix issues accurately and efficiently. Our team is friendly, helpful, and willing to listen to customers’ concerns and answer their questions.
We provide clear explanations of the work that needs to be done and the costs involved. We will only start work on your vehicle once we have your approval. You are always in control.
Additionally, we use high-quality parts and adhere to Mercedes manufacturer repair procedures to ensure that our work is of the highest quality and we also offer great value for money.
To make it more convenient for our customers, we also offer free courtesy cars, a collection service, or early drop-off and late pickup options. A few more reasons why Mercedes drivers prefer us to Mercedes Benz of Eastbourne.
If you’re looking for a reliable, trustworthy Mercedes garage that provides excellent service and great value, call South Coast Garage today on 01323 301038.
