Oo-er! 'Steering Wheel Lock Service Required' message!

[froggyted]

Originally Posted by tayandre

Just switched on my home safe lights, got out the car and locked up. The approach light button on the keyfob does not de-activate the home safe lights. Oh and the foglights do come on with homesafe but not approach. I'll let you make your own conclusion...

I know which conclusion you think i'm going to make, tayandre, and you are right! It was the Home Safe lights that came on! (Ignore the comment in the earlier posting about the courtesy lights coming on, because it was still daylight and it's probably only my imagination that they did). I haven't used the Home Safe feature since i've had the car, and assumed (that troublesome word again!) that they worked the same as the S40 Classic i previously had, when only the main beam came on, as far as i can remember. Thanks for your input, much appreciated, and it has avoided an embarrassing moment next week which might have undermined my issues with the radio and electric seat.

[froggyted]

Originally Posted by Clan

The radio is one of those rare problems , it is the ladder filter in the AM section which fails resulting in no sound at all when on AM . If it were an aerial problem you would have some hissing of course .

Thanks very much for your help, Clan. A strange problem indeed, i've never heard of this one before. I guess they will have to order the part then and will want the car another day for several hours.

[Gel]

Just had this message on my 2008 V50 for 1st time, but thanks to this forum, I knew what to do.

As it goes back to Lease coy (for auctioning off) next Friday I won't bother pursuing with Dealer!!

Unfortunately Volvo's no longer on our car selection list so it'll be bye bye forum soon.

This is a really useful/ friendly forum.

[feltorange]

I had the dead ignition about two months ago. Both keys allowed me to lock and unlock, but the ignition was dead. AA suggested the sharp tap method to unfreeze the ignition. Worked. Now I'm saving for a new ignition barrel - about £250 fitted!
My car is 07 - is it worth harangueing Volvo for a free replacement?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by feltorange

I had the dead ignition about two months ago. Both keys allowed me to lock and unlock, but the ignition was dead. AA suggested the sharp tap method to unfreeze the ignition. Worked. Now I'm saving for a new ignition barrel - about £250 fitted!
My car is 07 - is it worth harangueing Volvo for a free replacement?

It certainly is , what is your chassis number ? ( Last 6 numbers of VIN )

[feltorange]

Hi Clan

Thanks for your involvement. Last 6 number are 368598

Cheers

[s40lemon]

Hello, I have a 2006 S40 and seem to have the same problem happen to me this week. My steering has locked before, which was easily unlocked by oscillating the steering wheel and turning key insync.

However, the other day, I went to start car and the above message came on. Thought the wheel was locked, but in fact it was not. The steering wheel was turned about 45 degrees CCW from normal position but my wheels were straight as an arrow. After calling 2 dealerships, they both suspected it was the steering column lock (SCL), so I had it towed. Naturally, this was the suspected problem and have been quoted at least $500 (ha, no surprise) to fix.

It seems that every year I am spending money on this car in amounts larger than reasonable for extremely odd fixes. Now that I am about a year out of warranty I question how much longer I should keep this car before repairs cost >$1K and frequently. Unfortunately, my financial situation needs to focus more on student loan debt and not on another new car payment.

Any advice? It seems like the old Volvos were reliable, but since 2005 the technology is causing more problems than ever.

[froggyted]

It does seem, from other posts on here, that this and other problems were resolved on the S40 in the last few years of production (2008 facelift on), but one does wonder whether Volvo reliability suffered under Ford's stewardship. At least they didn't run the marque into the ground like GM did with Saab.

I have a 2008 facelift and am extremely pleased with it so far (though only about 38k on the clock). The steering wheel lock warning has never recurred, and the only problem i've had worth mentioning was the AM band on the radio dying, (another common problem which was resolved on later models, with a modification to the design). This, fortunately, was fixed under warranty, because it necessitated the whole head unit being repaced, which would probably have cost best part of $1,000 in your currency. Overall my car is easily the best i've ever owned, and a joy to drive.

[Welton]

In my experience Ford's input HAS lead to premature failure of certain parts.

My suspension is weak (Ford sourced).

My Expansion tank has just blown (stamped FoMoCo under a "Volvo" sticker).

The Air Con condensers are well known to fail (thinner, cheaper Aluminium - sourced by Ford).

On the plus side, for me, I've never had a single electrical fault or warning light - not one! and those kind of problems are what see you stuck at the dealer having diagnostics and expensive repairs.

[Tallorder]

Originally Posted by jasonb

Happened to me and there was an amazing technical solution from The AA.
Place the key half in to the module on the dash as normal.
The give it a little whack home.

The AA solution has just worked for me! Genius and means I can get home tonight.