Got the dreaded steering column lock problem. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't and I don't have to take the fuses out to get it to work. I don't want to do the drill and lubricate trick and don't want to spend atleast 500 quid on a 2nd hand steering column so wondered if anyone had used Turner diagnostics to refurb their unit? They say they are the only people in the world to repair the l322 steering column and ecu.

Cheers

James

I wonder if it is the ignition switch rather than steering lock. Can you be a bit more precise with the symptoms? John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

I am wondering that too. I hovered out the key hole todsy and there was more clicking going on inside the steering wheel than I had before. I gave some electrical contact cleaner bought today that I will squirt down it. The car has a brand new battery and the battery in the keybis also new. I have also cleaned the blade of the key.
Symptoms are: put key in and hear click, steering wheel unlocks and able to start car, that's how it should work and does most of the time. When it doesn't let me turn the key I either get no click or a bit of a click or lots of clicks from the steering wheel . If I wiggle the wheel a bit it seams to help and will let me turn the key. When I take key out I sometimes hear a bit of a click or lots of clicks and the next time I put key in it won't turn.

The symptoms, as you describe them, are pretty much what I had. It got to the stage though where the key stopped turning to the start position.

A new ignition switch cured it. May well be what is wrong with yours.

Before investing in new switch it might be worth cleaning and checking the contacts on the existing one.

Means removing it. This thread covers my experience. There is also a link in it to lroau where someone has removed the switch and cleaned the contacts. http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic40989.html?highlight=switch John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

I haven't taken the ignition key barrel out yet but having hovered it out mad squirting electrical cleaner down it, it does appear to be working more often. I cleaned the key but when I take the key out the ignition it's dirty black again so it must be dirty in there. I believe I have to remove the trim to aid removal of the barrel and something to put down the little hole next to the key and the key must be in position 1.

Update

Took ignition key barrel out. Cleaned. Put back in . Steering to be begin with unlocked every single time for about a dozen times. Then not at all. Seams stuck in the unlock position. Taking the wiring plug out of the right hand side of the steering column under the wiper stalk and putting back in enables me to start the car. Pulling fuse 18 has the same effect but pulling the plug is easier. Obviously not ideal with it being the wife's car.

I am reluctant to try the still hole and liberally spray lube in said hole technique. So might be sending ippervsteering column away to be tested and fixed.

I had a similar problem which turned out to be the actual electronic column lock.

The key would sometimes turn, but only when you heard the column unlock. It turned out to be the spring loaded solenoid in the column. I got a replacement from a guy in California, after attempting to drill and lube the solenoid. Once shipping etc was taken into account, it was the guts of a grand.

Drilling and lubing didn't work and there is a danger that you can really destroy the mechanism if you drill in the wrong place and hit the solenoid coil.

It was a very successful repair, but not cheap.

Update

Had a thought tonight that perhaps I should double check the battery voltage now that the steering column unlock doesn't seam to be working at all now. Its a brand new battery bought about a month ago.
Voltage with engine off read 12.1v. Too low. Voltage with engine running and lights in 13.8v which is spot on.
Took battery off and now on charge. Tested it before putting it on charge and not connected to vehicle 12.4v. It would seam there is a drain on the battery. We do t drive the car everyday and it only does literally 2 miles a day, iccassionly we go further in it but not often.
The only thing we have done to the car since the steering lock issue was put cos in the changed, which appears not to be working. Once the battery is charged I will take out the CD changer magazine and test the battery again. I expect the steering lock will still not work but it's worth a go.

Update

Recharged battery. After letting it settle down it was at 12.8v. Once back on car itvwas 12.5v. Not sure if that 0.3v drop is normal. Removed CD changer cartridge just incase it was causing any problems. It had made no difference to steering lock. Hit side of steering column with hammer. Steering lock now works.. until it sticks again. So looks like the unit needs sending away for refurb.