Car would not start... What is this symbol?

Rekla · 02-08-2009, 09:37 AM

Friday night on my first attempt to start the car, it gave me some warning chimes and the display showed a "steering wheel symbol with a boxed number 1". I have comfort access so instead of keeping the key in my pocket, I inserted it in the key slot. Symbol came back, would not start. Took out the key completely. Second attempt I put the key in the slot, car started normal and no issues since. I did notice the steering wheel locking mechanism unlocked louder then normal just before it started up. Car was parked in my garage, no wierd inclines/steering wheel angle, etc, smooth concrete. Anybody has a clue what was going on?

Rekla · 02-08-2009, 09:44 AM

Steeing wheel column replacement???
Should I expect this to happen again, or was it just a one time glitch?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=symbol

ToadHollow · 02-08-2009, 09:49 AM

Whether it was a one time glitch or not I'd still make a stop at the dealer. If you had the code then they can take a look and figure why the code was thrown ........ better safe than sorry!

Rekla · 02-08-2009, 09:53 AM

How do I find the code? Is it stored somewhere? I do have I-drive...
My car is produced 5/06. Any SB I can refer to?

ToadHollow · 02-08-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rekla

How do I find the code? Is it stored somewhere? I do have I-drive...

If you know someone with a code reader then great! Otherwise, explain to the dealer what happened. They will be able to see any and all fault codes thrown on the car and hopefully determine why .......

You shouldn't be charged for anything as the vehicle is still under warranty ......... 4 years/50K miles.

al_macaroni · 02-10-2009, 09:02 AM

Your problem sounds like you are experiencing a steering column lock malfunction. I had an e90 330i that experienced the same problem. I had it fixed at the dealer under the 4 year/50k mile warranty. If you search the forum, you will find that this is common problem and may be expensive to repair if you are out of warranty.

In my case, the probem began to occur more frequently as time passed. It became a safety concern. So, please get it fixed so you are not left stranded.

Good luck.

Rekla · 02-13-2009, 06:57 PM

So I took it to the dealer and they updated all software on the car. Now I've got the latest I-drive update as well - cool looking grey background which matches perfectly with my aluminium trim. The steering wheel error happend once to me, no hardware - that is steering wheel column replacement. I've got 18 months left on my warranty, I guess I'll just have to sit it out and go back for any re-occurrance. My dealer is Autobahn BMW in Fort Worth and their service was excellent.

Tallest · 02-14-2009, 10:57 AM

i have to say, this is some pretty big fakin error for BMW to just have us all pay for replacements if we are out of warranty. What if this locks up on highway?! Kinda of ground for class action lawsuit.

E92Vancouver · 02-20-2009, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rekla

Friday night on my first attempt to start the car, it gave me some warning chimes and the display showed a "steering wheel symbol with a boxed number 1". I have comfort access so instead of keeping the key in my pocket, I inserted it in the key slot. Symbol came back, would not start. Took out the key completely. Second attempt I put the key in the slot, car started normal and no issues since. I did notice the steering wheel locking mechanism unlocked louder then normal just before it started up. Car was parked in my garage, no wierd inclines/steering wheel angle, etc, smooth concrete. Anybody has a clue what was going on?

I have seen that symbol before. It means your wife needs a bikini wax.

gdnyc · 02-20-2009, 01:55 PM

I had that happen to me. My car wouldn't start. Took a couple of attempts. Brought it into the dealer and they replaced the steering column..

Rekla · 02-20-2009, 02:16 PM

Funny... They put new software on mine.... No steering wheel column repacement.
Should I expect it to come back?

blue2fire · 02-25-2009, 12:10 AM

Oh, that was a common problem but a weird fix. What did they tell you happened?

Rekla · 02-25-2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2fire

Oh, that was a common problem but a weird fix. What did they tell you happened?

Bug in the software...

Silver bullet · 02-25-2009, 01:15 PM

I just left my 06 330i at the dealer. The service representitive said that it a comon complant and that they will need it all day. It will need a reprogram or a new column. We will see what they come up with, it is still under warrenty. BTW this is the first time I had to leave it and not get a free loaner! Had to pay $25. The said they had to start charging becuse of the economy.

new0rder · 02-26-2009, 09:58 AM

yep, I had this problem too, the way I do it is put the key back in the key slot, and lock the car, then start the car, sometime it takes few try to start the car. it don't happen all the time, maybe once a month. just very annoying to do it.

krote345 · 02-26-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92Vancouver

I have seen that symbol before. It means your wife needs a bikini wax.

Rekla · 02-26-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new0rder

yep, I had this problem too, the way I do it is put the key back in the key slot, and lock the car, then start the car, sometime it takes few try to start the car. it don't happen all the time, maybe once a month. just very annoying to do it.

Did you bring it at all?

new0rder · 02-26-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rekla

Did you bring it at all?

not yet, will go there next week, update soon....

new0rder · 03-03-2009, 10:10 AM

BTW the real pic

crow · 03-26-2009, 06:18 PM

This happend to me the other day on my 06.I Iook it into the dealer. They updated the car with a new firmware or something now my GPS looks different and the problem looks like it went away. The other day it did do the lock but only for a few seconds. Unlike before they did the update it wouldnt start for minute or hours.

raceing86 · 04-03-2009, 03:07 AM

I have an early 2006 model E90 (built in 6/05). I saw several of you had new software updated to your car, just wondering... What all does the software update effect? I know i am not able to chose driver preferences through the center screen (Daytime running lights, lock doors after rolling) and have been told its due to early production, and i was wondering if the software update would fix this?

NaTuReB0Y · 07-31-2009, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new0rder

BTW the real pic

anyone know how much to get it fixed........

my steering wheel locked twice on me the other day.......couldn't start the car.....

no warranty......

02-08-2009, 09:37 AM	#1
Rekla Hug the road... Carpe Asphalt 105 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2007 ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA iTrader: (20)	Car would not start... What is this symbol? Friday night on my first attempt to start the car, it gave me some warning chimes and the display showed a "steering wheel symbol with a boxed number 1". I have comfort access so instead of keeping the key in my pocket, I inserted it in the key slot. Symbol came back, would not start. Took out the key completely. Second attempt I put the key in the slot, car started normal and no issues since. I did notice the steering wheel locking mechanism unlocked louder then normal just before it started up. Car was parked in my garage, no wierd inclines/steering wheel angle, etc, smooth concrete. Anybody has a clue what was going on? Attached Images __________________ 2007 BMW ///M Coupe
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02-08-2009, 09:44 AM	#2
Rekla Hug the road... Carpe Asphalt 105 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2007 ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA iTrader: (20)	Steeing wheel column replacement??? Should I expect this to happen again, or was it just a one time glitch? http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=symbol __________________ 2007 BMW ///M Coupe
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02-08-2009, 09:49 AM	#3
ToadHollow Once upon a time ...... 276 Rep 5,048 Posts Drives: 2008 JB E92 - SOLD 5/2010 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Asti, Italy & Austin, Texas iTrader: (16) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [8.00]	Whether it was a one time glitch or not I'd still make a stop at the dealer. If you had the code then they can take a look and figure why the code was thrown ........ better safe than sorry! __________________
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02-08-2009, 09:53 AM	#4
Rekla Hug the road... Carpe Asphalt 105 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2007 ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA iTrader: (20)	How do I find the code? Is it stored somewhere? I do have I-drive... My car is produced 5/06. Any SB I can refer to? __________________ 2007 BMW ///M Coupe
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02-10-2009, 09:02 AM	#6
al_macaroni New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2008 X3 3.0si, G35x Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Your problem sounds like you are experiencing a steering column lock malfunction. I had an e90 330i that experienced the same problem. I had it fixed at the dealer under the 4 year/50k mile warranty. If you search the forum, you will find that this is common problem and may be expensive to repair if you are out of warranty. In my case, the probem began to occur more frequently as time passed. It became a safety concern. So, please get it fixed so you are not left stranded. Good luck.
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02-13-2009, 06:57 PM	#7
Rekla Hug the road... Carpe Asphalt 105 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2007 ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA iTrader: (20)	So I took it to the dealer and they updated all software on the car. Now I've got the latest I-drive update as well - cool looking grey background which matches perfectly with my aluminium trim. The steering wheel error happend once to me, no hardware - that is steering wheel column replacement. I've got 18 months left on my warranty, I guess I'll just have to sit it out and go back for any re-occurrance. My dealer is Autobahn BMW in Fort Worth and their service was excellent. __________________ 2007 BMW ///M Coupe
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02-14-2009, 10:57 AM	#8
Tallest Major General 1310 Rep 6,311 Posts Drives: 911 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 911 [10.00]	i have to say, this is some pretty big fakin error for BMW to just have us all pay for replacements if we are out of warranty. What if this locks up on highway?! Kinda of ground for class action lawsuit. __________________ 997.2 F30.F11.E86.E90.E90.E36
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02-20-2009, 01:55 PM	#10
gdnyc Lieutenant 24 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Jet Black Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I had that happen to me. My car wouldn't start. Took a couple of attempts. Brought it into the dealer and they replaced the steering column.. __________________ 2006 330xi BMW, please get rid of the RFT's and give us a spare tire!
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02-20-2009, 02:16 PM	#11
Rekla Hug the road... Carpe Asphalt 105 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2007 ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA iTrader: (20)	Funny... They put new software on mine.... No steering wheel column repacement. Should I expect it to come back? __________________ 2007 BMW ///M Coupe
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02-25-2009, 01:15 PM	#14
Silver bullet Private 2 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Moreno Valley CA iTrader: (0)	I just left my 06 330i at the dealer. The service representitive said that it a comon complant and that they will need it all day. It will need a reprogram or a new column. We will see what they come up with, it is still under warrenty. BTW this is the first time I had to leave it and not get a free loaner! Had to pay $25. The said they had to start charging becuse of the economy. __________________ 2006 330i, Titanium silver, Black leather, Factory “M” Aerodynamic kit, 162 wheels w/runflats, Sport package, Premium package, cold weather package, Active steering, I drive Navigation, BMW assist, Motorola E815 Verizon Bluetooth, sun glasses storage modification, 35% Formulaone ceramic tint
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02-26-2009, 09:58 AM	#15
new0rder Lowlife Republic 15 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 06 325XI Monaco Blue Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	yep, I had this problem too, the way I do it is put the key back in the key slot, and lock the car, then start the car, sometime it takes few try to start the car. it don't happen all the time, maybe once a month. just very annoying to do it. __________________ 06 Monaco Blue Metallic 325xi
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03-03-2009, 10:10 AM	#19
new0rder Lowlife Republic 15 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 06 325XI Monaco Blue Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	BTW the real pic __________________ 06 Monaco Blue Metallic 325xi
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03-26-2009, 06:18 PM	#20
crow Private 10 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 2016 550i Carbon Black Msport Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	This happend to me the other day on my 06.I Iook it into the dealer. They updated the car with a new firmware or something now my GPS looks different and the problem looks like it went away. The other day it did do the lock but only for a few seconds. Unlike before they did the update it wouldnt start for minute or hours.
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04-03-2009, 03:07 AM	#21
raceing86 Private First Class 26 Rep 159 Posts Drives: '13 335i Sport Melb. Red Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Savannah, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 335i [10.00]	I have an early 2006 model E90 (built in 6/05). I saw several of you had new software updated to your car, just wondering... What all does the software update effect? I know i am not able to chose driver preferences through the center screen (Daytime running lights, lock doors after rolling) and have been told its due to early production, and i was wondering if the software update would fix this?
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