steering wheel lock malfunction keeps coming up. says to contact saab dealer. car seems to be driving fine. should i just go and see the dealer?

I'm having the same problem - started this past weekend. I also have an '03 Vector.

My battery is only a few years old but many people have "fixed" this issue with a battery replacement.

I'm going to try it before going to the dealer. I can already see the dealer shot-gunning parts at my expense.

Let me know if you get to the bottom of it. I'll do the same.

 

yo I got the same problem what I did is in the Driver side fuse box the left top if you count the second one down from that side it should be like a five amp fuse you can pull it out instead of opening the hood and impugning the battery And just reconnect it in the resets just that one module and it works basically the place where you put your key in and the place where the wipers in the signal lights arete both of those things need to be replaced and reprogram to work with the car

 

I wonder what the battery has to do with it. I've had my battery replaced twice in 5 years and I'm not sure that would be it. Yeah, Dealer would be costly just to look at it and who knows what else they would want to throw in. Please let me know if the battery replacement works. As for now I don'y mind just clearing it since the car has been driving fine. However, if that is the fix, I'll look into it. mine just started this weekend too. Must be like a timer on thse '03's

 

Try resetting the computer by disconnecting the +ve battery terminal for a min or two. It happened to me once, but never showed up again.

 

Usually we disconnect the Negative Terminal....

 

Yes. Certainly try the reset method above. (this didn't work for me though - not this time anyway)

Also, a new battery didn't help either. (btw - this is a well documented "fix" on this site and still may be your cause)

 

Dealer replaced the ignition unit (where the key goes) for ~300. It seems to have fixed the issue for now.

Problem: The new unit is not backlit! WTF

 

I have been having the same issue with steering wheel lock but only at start up. put my key in step down on the clutch and break and when i turn the key it won't click over. The displays instructions read: Steering wheel locked, remove key, turn the wheel and try starting again. obviously isn't an exact quote but it says something along those lines. So i just sit there and shake the **** out of the wheel, put the key in again and if it doesnt start fine on the first try, its definitely running fine by the third.

This started happening 2 days ago and has happened maybe 6 times since! I don't really even understand the purpose or the cause of this problem at all. Oh and since i haven't mentioned before i have an 03 Vector as well with about 79K miles and i replaced the battery less than a year ago.

 

I am still having this issue intermittently. I replaced my battery a few months ago and at first that cured it, but eventually the warning came back.

The risk with not getting it fixed is that sometime you may not be able to get the car to start.

I contacted the dealer about it and my service guy said it is a common issue, they replaced a dozen of the ignition units last winter for cars that had the same problem.

 

I have been getting the elusive "steering wheel lock malfunction" message off and on for about 1 year. I have noticed that it comes on when it gets really hot and humid in the summer (In WI that is). I am going to take it into the dealer however, I am worried that they might come back and say I need a new battery. My current battery is 2 years old and is a NAPA 75-rather pricey. So that would mean this warning started showing up when the battery was about 1 year old. I think it would be ridiculous for the dealer to blame the battery. I only have 3k miles left on my extended warranty and do not want to get screwed here.
Other symptons the car has when the warning shows on the SID are:
-Air conditioning does not work-however fan blows
-Does not allow to shift if I do not shift right away after starting
-Even had issues with remote key opening the car, even after I replaced the battery in key.
-interior lights not working

kind of odd....as I read this forum I am finding out that I am not alone with these issues.
Any advise or suggestions would be helpful

 

I had a "Steering Lock Malfunction" appear on my SID last night.

Dash kept rebooting, Illumination off, then back on and the CHECK OK lindication on the SID, then straight back to "Steering Lock Malfunction" back on the SID.

If I pushed CLEAR when the steering lock message was displayed, I lost all illumination on the SID, ICM and the panel where the TCS button is located

Interior lights wouldn't work, when turned on, they would flash then go off, as if the bulb has blown.

I had the speedo needle drop to zero

The ABS light and the TCS light both on, also the red BRAKE light on the dash.

I was on a motorway, temp was about 14 deg c.

I had a code reader in the car, but there were no codes stored, everything on the code reader looked okay.

I stopped for a burger to give it time to sort itself out, came out after half hour, "Steering lock malfunction" appeared immediately.

Drove out of the car park and into the Fuel garage with the warning on.

Filled up with fuel, got back in, started up... NO warnings, car was fine for the next 100 miles til I got home!!

Fingers crossed it is one of those glitches.

Battery is less than a year old, I replaced the stock one for a high capacity battery

 

Hi there,
I am to original poster.
I ended up going to the Saab dealer and in my situation I needed to have the Ignition Switch replaced. After that the car has been running perfect.
The technician told me if the ignition switch goes it can cause other things to malfunction in the vehicle, hence the lights. My car had an extended warranty so I did not have to pay for it.
Good Luck!

 

I've seen these warnings twice while driving in the past few days. It'll flash up and go right away.

Possibly related (based on the reading I've done here), sometimes the key will not turn when placed in ignition.. at which point I remove it, put it back in and all is good.

Going to the dealer tomorrow and will report back.

 

Dealer replaced the ignition switch.. said it would also solve the problem of my key sometimes not wanting to turn... well so far they are only 1 for 2.. my key exhibits the same (does not turn on 1 in 10 times) behavior, but so far, no new warning messages.

Was replaced at no charge under warranty.

 

Yep, same thing happend at the begining and then it will get progressively worse. Definately sounds like a new ingition switch is needed based on my experience. Good Luck!

 

I had this problem two weeks ago. Though, in my situation my car wouldn't start, so I had it towed to the stealership. They told me my CIM (Column Intergration Module) had failed, and that it will cost me $995 incl. part & labor to fix. Since, this is my only car I had no choice but to get it fix. The shop called me the next day stating that my car was ready, but cautioned me that I should get my battery change as well. Rather than arguing with the service rep. I told him to go ahead and put the new battery in. The final repair invoice came out to be $1179.

After donating my hard earn cash to the dealer, I drove it straight home with no emotions. When I got to my driveway, I notice that my turn signal stork looked the same. I had thought to myself, isn't the CIM the entire column piece w/ the turn signal and wiper stork?? I'm really thinking that these fcukers didn't even change my CIM, but just re-programmed it with Tech-2, and give me a big SUCKER lollipop!


I'm soo pissed right now. :evil:

 

I had this problem two weeks ago. Though, in my situation my car wouldn't start, so I had it towed to the stealership. They told me my CIM (Column Integration Module) had failed, and that it will cost me $995 incl. part & labor to fix. Since, this is my only car I had no choice but to get it fix. The shop called me the next day stating that my car was ready, but cautioned me that I should get my battery change as well. Rather than arguing with the service rep. I told him to go ahead and put the new battery in. The final repair invoice came out to be $1179.

After donating my hard earn cash to the dealer, I drove it straight home with no emotions. When I got to my driveway, I notice that my turn signal stork looked the same. I had thought to myself, isn't the CIM the entire column piece w/ the turn signal and wiper stork?? I'm really thinking that these fcukers didn't even change my CIM, but just re-programmed it with Tech-2, and give me a big SUCKER lollipop!


I'm so pissed right now. :evil:

The CIM doesn't come with new stalks. I had a new CIM fitted and programmed last year at the main stealership they used the stalks from my original CIM.

 

TaiMyShu, i really hope they didn't screw ya. Please keep us updated on that just so other members can be weary of a possible scam.

There is another thread on replacing the ignition switch. I believe another member was gonna tackle replacing it himself without tech 2. Hopefully we can replace it without for a fraction of the price. I was able to find ignition switches for $120. Much better than 300+.

 

TaiMyShu, i really hope they didn't screw ya. Please keep us updated on that just so other members can be weary of a possible scam.

There is another thread on replacing the ignition switch. I believe another member was gonna tackle replacing it himself without tech 2. Hopefully we can replace it without for a fraction of the price. I was able to find ignition switches for $120. Much better than 300+.

At this point I haven't gone to get a second or third opinion on this. I just don't know where to go. I'm just trying to avoid the dearlership, but with these cars I don't think that you can.

I don't think you can replace the ignition switch w/o Tech 2 involve as it is interconnected with the CIM, steering lock, and the car security system via the P-bus or I- bus, whichever one it is. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I believe you can replace the ignition "switch" without Tech II. Regarding the CIM... I don't know if the module comes with a Stalk, they may have just used the original stalk. Maybe someone with an EPC can look and find out.

 

All I can say is START at the begining. Make sure the battery terminals and all the crap around the + are clean and TIGHT. Quality battery no more than three years old. After that its the ignition switch or possibly the clockspring in the CIM or the SCL(steering column lock). I havent seen the CIM itself yet, but obviously a TechII and security access is way REQUIRED.

 

Saab stering wheel lock 2006 93t

I have the same problem. I found if you turn it off and back on it goes away. Should have been a recall item. I'm sure it will not get any better.

 

Update on Saab Recall items not much known about

All-Data list Saab Recalls as of 4/9/2010
2006 Saab 9-3 2.ot

154-51 - Front wheel speed sensor harness

154-42 - Steering Colum Lock Replace

Body Control Module Software updat

Conv. Top latch Replace

Now try and get a Saaab Dealer to rplace it for free. An aas I found out they won't tell it is a re=call and free$$$$

I have the same problem. I found if you turn it off and back on it goes away. Should have been a recall item. I'm sure it will not get any better.

 

Should have been a Recall? There can be numerous causes for this, weak battery/bad connection being the most common cause. Other causes could be the CIM, the Ignition switch or the SCL as mentioned.

NHTSA Recalls are only ordered if a Danger of fire, accident or Injury exists.... maybe a TSB, but the problem is not as common as you might think.... these forums tend to magnets for problems, not praise.

 

For what it's worth, my 2007 SS popped up the "steering wheel lock malfunction" message and refused to start. I unhooked the negative battery terminal, waited a few minutes, and all was well with the world.

My trusty indie mechanic (a SAAB factory-certified tech) said the battery (the crappy OEM SAAB battery) was at the low end of normal and should be replaced.

 

Little update on the steering lock for me. I finally got fed up with the warnings. They have been really bad for the last 2 months. Usually it was only occurring about once a month to multiple times a day.

SID would only show radio station and interior lights would work until it checked ok on it's own and SID function returned. Also i wasn't able to change dash brightness. Annoying as hell.

So i ordered the ignition switch through my indy. $245 CND. Thesaabsite costs 120 but 90 dollar shipping to Canada (BS!). I had to unscrew the entire center console and remove it to get to the switch.

It comes off easily and snaps on easier. Total time it took me was 2 hours. Most of it was from playing with the console and putting it back together properly. Just need some patience and hopefully a second set of hands to fit it easier. So far it has been problem free for 4 days.

If this ever happens to anyone, try the battery then this before handing over a grand for a CIM. I'm still crossing my fingers as it's still to early to tell.

 

I have been getting the dreaded warning message for the past few months and now fed up with the messages. The messages have been more frequent and disconnecting the battery does nothing.

I just order the part from Saab site and will replace it tonight after work.

I will try to post some pics as I go through it.

 

i just bought a 2005 saab 93 with 77000 miles
wrecked its been hit in the front end and blew both air bags
i have owned 1 other saab before this one and loved it

i have an issus i cant get the car out of gear (auto trans) the wheel turns free and isnt locked but when i put the key in it says wheel locked remove key turn wheel and try again or something of that means if fiddeled with the sterring wheel every way i know how turning tilt ect

what could be the issue???

 

i have a 2005 93 i bought wrecked it hit in the front end and both bags are blown
when i put the key in it says steering wheel locked remove key turn wheel and try again or something to that effect
thing is i can turn the wheel free just cant get the key to turn what would be the issue????

 

thanks for the help i put a new battery in the car and same issue
is there any chance that when teh car was wrecked or towed that the part that locks the steering wheel could have been damaged because i can still turn the wheel free but cant get the key to do anything

 

Steering Lock Malfunction Error Message - fixed by replacing battery

This error message should really read 'Replace Battery' I first got this error message just under two years ago. It came on about minute after starting the car. I'd clear it, then it would come on again then after about 5-10 mins it would come again then I'd clear it again and would be fine after that. I ignored it for a month hoping it would go away. Then I starting getting an airbag error message too and then soon after when I turned the ignition key the dashboard instruments dials started flickering and clicking. This I now know is the sign that the battery will be completely dead very soon and I'll need to call out emergency breakdown to rescue me! A new battery fixed the problem and all error messages disappeared. No problem since - until two weeks ago. Got the 19 month old battery checked - and as I thought the battery was on it's way out. Car had been standing a lot over winter not being used and only doing short journeys so no surprise really - so got the battery replaced (not at a SAAB garage). Drove out of the garage and ping - Steering Wheel Malfunction Error message came up. . Took the car into SAAB garage and they plugged in the TECH 2 Diagnostic Scanner purged the error message out by reseting the system. No charge ;ol; He also reset the pinch system on the passengers window. So far so good. I put a better battery on this time - so hopefully will not see this error message again for a few years.