[Saab Husband]

Hi everyone,

I've done a whole lot of searching as a lurker but can't seem to find the answer to my problem. This is for a 2005 9-3.

One morning, wife is driving her car to work. She gets the low battery for key fob message. I thought it was weird since I had just changed those out on both keys a month ago. Anyway, the family heads out on vacation for a week. Upon returning after 10 days, I try to start the car and get the steering wheel lock error. Key doesn't turn, all the other fun stuff. So, I check the battery and corrosion all over the positive terminal. Clean all that off, and no go. Try jumping the car, nothing. Start my search on here. So far I have replaced the battery (voltage on the old was low), cleaned the ISM, replaced the ISM with a new one, swapped fuses 1 and 2, did the steering wheel to the left thing, tried both keys and still getting the error. What would be my next step? Thanks in advance.

 

[jcm]

Sounds like the column lock needs to be replaced. You can buy new for $400 or go to the recycle yard and offer $35. Search car-part.com under steering column. The lock is attached to the bottom. Remove the lock by turning the allen wrench clockwise. They may only want to sell the entire column. Get the VIN from the donor unit. You'll need to have a dealer reprogram the column lock with a Tech 2. The units can be reprogrammed. Don't listen to anyone saying other as they either don't know or want to sell the $400 new unit. Report findings to forum.

 

[Saab Husband]

Follow up dumb questions. Would the column lock cause the steering wheel not to lock? That's where I'm at right now. Steering wheel turns it's full coverage currently. Also, if I'm able to acquire the column lock, how do I get the automatic into neutral? Currently it's in park and I can't get it to move at all.

 

[SAABalingus]

Follow up dumb questions. Would the column lock cause the steering wheel not to lock? That's where I'm at right now. Steering wheel turns it's full coverage currently. Also, if I'm able to acquire the column lock, how do I get the automatic into neutral? Currently it's in park and I can't get it to move at all.

Well u said it was a dumb question, I wouldn't call it dumb. But it is pretty damn funny. Yes column lock is what locks the steering column. Remove the cover plate around the shifter. Towards the front of the lever under the ashtray is a buytton/lever (I believe it's yellow) push it down and u can shift out of park.

 

[Saab Husband]

Well u said it was a dumb question, I wouldn't call it dumb. But it is pretty damn funny. Yes column lock is what locks the steering column. Remove the cover plate around the shifter. Towards the front of the lever under the ashtray is a buytton/lever (I believe it's yellow) push it down and u can shift out of park.

Yeah, after I re-read it after submitting I realized it was silly. Luckily I still had the center console torn apart so getting to that yellow switch was easy. Big thanks for that. Might have a couple more questions, but it's been a long day and I'm tired. Wish this happened in the winter when it's not 100+ in my garage.

 

[Saab Husband]

Steering Wheel lock Message (Update)

Sorry it's taken so long but it has been fixed. It was the column lock. Apparently I was the 10% that has this problem and it not be the ISM. Thanks for all the help on this one.

 

[Ibrake4Tailgaters]

I am having an issue with my column lock. Where did you get your new one, and how much? I have found a few on Ebay for around $150-$200. Did you do it yourself? If so how long did it take, and how much of thedash had to be removed?

 

[Saab Husband]

I am having an issue with my column lock. Where did you get your new one, and how much? I have found a few on Ebay for around $150-$200. Did you do it yourself? If so how long did it take, and how much of thedash had to be removed?

I couldn't find a column lock with keys married to it so I wound up towing it to our former Saab dealer (now a Buick Cadillac dealer.) A new one cost about $250 and labor/rekeying was about $400. I remember finding a vid on YouTube and it didn't look like there was much tearing apart of the dash. The hardest part looked like the removal of the air bag/wheel