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Thread: Steering Wheel Lock Problem

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 Dinan 740il

    Steering Wheel Lock Problem

    Got in the 1995 after work and the key would just turn part way, hit a hard stop just after the dash lit up - first time it ever happened. Played with the key and wheel and then for no obvious reason the key turned, car started but the wheel remain locked. Played some more and suddenly the wheel turned just fine. Drove to meeting, worried that it might lock up at a bad time. Same thing happened when I went to go home; same 'wiggle it' fix. I replaced the electronic part of the ignition swatch somewhere along the way. Otherwise no other issues.

    Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks Grady

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 Dinan 740il
    Played with it some more: After 5-6 (gentle) bumps side to side against the wheel lock, it unlocks and works fine until the key is removed. Looking at the RealOEM diagram, it looks like the locking pin (or related part) might need lubricating. I'm not thinking anything is actually broken as it does work - eventually and then very smoothly.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 Dinan 740il
    Should have left well enough alone. Googled it, You Tubed it, Fiddled with it. Drilled a small hole in the spring extracting area and squirted some WD-40 which really helped the turn right stop to work, not so much turn side. Took the e-switch off and tried WD-40 on the switch end. Added a little graphite to the lock. All was working pretty well. I put it back together and now it will only turn 2.5 positions. Just enough (if I hold it) for the dash to light up but not all the way to run. Taking off the e-switch didn't help this time. Grrr. Running out of love.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Lancaster CA
    Posts
    5,051
    My Cars
    e34,e38,e39,e46,e70,e90
    The spring needs to be removed from the hole you drilled. Mine did the same thing. You will lose the locking feature when you do this, so don't try and tow it with the fronts on the ground after you do this.

    02 e39 540i Sport (Son), 01 DINAN 7 (Me), 12 e70 X5 x35i (Mrs), 95 e34 525i (Daughter 2), 01 e46 325Ci vert (Daughter 1)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 Dinan 740il
    I'll try that next. I tried to fool it with a bit lube but If it doesn't work so I'll pull the spring. Thanks

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    denver, co
    Posts
    1,212
    My Cars
    m5s
    Use TriFlo lubricant. Best stuff for locks IMHO. Also, pull the spring sooner rather than later if you arent going to replace the steering lock.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 Dinan 740il
    Yes, adding WD-40 was a failure, not sure why. Wound up drilling the spring out so it now works. The rotation stop/key dosen't turn problem are definitely interrelated but w/o one to dissect, not sure why. Bet I never bother to replace the $150 assembly. Thanks for the help!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Canterbury, CT
    Posts
    28
    My Cars
    2001 e38
    Just got my '01 running and it's doing the same thing, sounds like. The car wasn't running when I bought it so this was new to me. When the key does turn it is very stiff and "sticks" but more often than not it feels like it is locked and won't turn. What were some of the videos you found that gave more information? Nervous about spraying lubes into the electrical portions. Thanks

    Update.... Found some graphite lube and sprayed it in the lock cylinder. Works much better now.
    Last edited by MBruneaux; 12-09-2018 at 12:55 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Casa Grande Arizona
    Posts
    201
    My Cars
    1997 bmw 740il
    Having the same problem. Any solutions that were found?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    2,665
    My Cars
    750IL/540iT/R53/E46Vert
    I used a lock lubricant called Houdini. It says it is ok for electrical connections - I have had no issues.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Houston, Texas
    Posts
    513
    My Cars
    1995 Dinan 740il
    Two years later the steering tumbler failed and I had to replace the tumbler and the housing b/c I couldn't get the tumbler out. If your key spins without catching the ingition, get a new tumbler ASAP. In the housing, one of the latches had both ears broken off. That reminds me to finish and post some pictures.

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