Well this is a first for me, I though the world had ended when I couldnt get to work last night
So after googling it has come apparent that my 17 year old FF has this issue with the steering lock, owned this FF 7 years now and not had this one.

It took a while to work out why the fuse 18 trick was not going to work and needed to get into the diagnostics with the gap tool as the steering lock was ticking constantly (Key not in the ignition)
Disconnected the battery and left it 20 minutes then reconnected, I could then be able to turn the key but did not try start up yet and read the faults first, iid tool showed this fault ( auxiliary input fuse defective 0x4) this is what, also went int transport mode as the interior lights would not come on when the doors where open, guessing thats the disconnection of the battery.

My question, is there no supplier for the solenoid as a part to replace this?
Ive seen a youtube clip of what can be done with either drilling a hole or take apart and change the magnet, but would this work after?

Is it worth buying a second hand column and try that, then repair mine?
Question is...if I bought a second hand, is it just a plug and play fit and no programming the key, or is it the chip in the key that reads to unlock that steering lock ecu.

After the hard reboot (battery disconnection) the dam thing engages and disengages fine, not even sluggish.....well confused

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge