If you can insert the key and start the car with it the problem is NOT with the key, but with the Steering Lock Module itself. As they continue to age it is becoming an all too common failure in the 159 series.
Spider 939 key
Keith at K&L has run my car through his computer thing in the light of the ‘steering lock uavailable’ messages.
The car is fine and everything works BUT the syste does not recognize the steering lock component in the key.
Can ANYONE recommend a reasonable new key supplier and coder?
Many thanks!
The car is fine and everything works BUT the syste does not recognize the steering lock component in the key.
Can ANYONE recommend a reasonable new key supplier and coder?
Many thanks!
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
Understood, but Keith, who is a very able man, spent some time investigating why the lock did not engage, and this is what his reader identifies. Any further thoughts would be helpful.
Well if you can insert the key, start the car with it, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and drive the car the problem is obviously not the key.
What the system is telling you with "Steering Lock Unavailable" is that the steering lock in not engaging when the the car is turned off & key removed. This is usually caused by a problem with the lock motor or the lock micro switches & the motor not sliding the locking bar into position to lock the steering column.
Can you turn the steering wheel when the engine it off and the key removed?
What the system is telling you with "Steering Lock Unavailable" is that the steering lock in not engaging when the the car is turned off & key removed. This is usually caused by a problem with the lock motor or the lock micro switches & the motor not sliding the locking bar into position to lock the steering column.
Can you turn the steering wheel when the engine it off and the key removed?
But the message appears when starting (although who wants their steering to lock when you are in motion) And disappears after several seconds.
I'll ask again -
1/ Can you insert the key, start the car with it, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and drive the car
2/ Can you turn the steering wheel when the engine is off and the key removed?
1/ Can you insert the key, start the car with it, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and drive the car
2/ Can you turn the steering wheel when the engine is off and the key removed?
The key only has two parts, the immobilizer chip and the remote central locking circuit, neither have ANYTHING to do with each other. For this discussion we can ignore the Central Locking Circuit.
Basically, when the key is inserted in the key reader it interrogates the immobiliser chip, if it recognises the chip it sends a signal to the steering lock to unlock the steering column and power up the rest of the car systems. So the only part of the Key that can be at fault here is the immobiliser chip, and as it allows the car to start, it is obviously not faulty.
So again, from the information you have given it indicates the problem is not with the key.
Basically, when the key is inserted in the key reader it interrogates the immobiliser chip, if it recognises the chip it sends a signal to the steering lock to unlock the steering column and power up the rest of the car systems. So the only part of the Key that can be at fault here is the immobiliser chip, and as it allows the car to start, it is obviously not faulty.
So again, from the information you have given it indicates the problem is not with the key.
Yes the car will start when the key is inserted.
The steering lock SOMETIMES works and sometimes not. It can be heard disengaging sometimes for example.
The wheel can be turned with the key out SOMETIMES and sometimes not.
But the ECU does not recognize the key linking to the steering lock module.
So is it fair to say that maybe the key will not operate the car at some future date? Without giving any warning?
The steering lock SOMETIMES works and sometimes not. It can be heard disengaging sometimes for example.
The wheel can be turned with the key out SOMETIMES and sometimes not.
But the ECU does not recognize the key linking to the steering lock module.
So is it fair to say that maybe the key will not operate the car at some future date? Without giving any warning?
This indicates the problem is in the Steering Lock Module, not the key. Again, this is becoming a common issue with 159s and is discussed in many threads in this forum.Yes the car will start when the key is inserted.
The steering lock SOMETIMES works and sometimes not. It can be heard disengaging sometimes for example.
The wheel can be turned with the key out SOMETIMES and sometimes not.
Just search in the 159 Group for "Steering Lock" problems.
Sorry, not sure what you mean by this? The Key Reader (TEG Reader) interrogates the Immobilizer chip in the key, if it recognizes the key it sends a signal to the steering lock to unlock the steering column and power up the rest of the systems. If the Steering Lock Module was not receiving a signal from the Key Reader the car would not power up and you would not be able to start it.But the ECU does not recognize the key linking to the steering lock module.
Yes, the key may not operate the car at some future date, but not because the key has failed, but because the steering lock module has finally failed further/completely.So is it fair to say that maybe the key will not operate the car at some future date? Without giving any warning?
As I stated previously, if you stick the key in the key reader and the car powers up and stars there is no problem with the key. If the immobilizer chip in the key somehow fails the dash will show the message "Key Not Recognised". You can test this out by putting a key from a different 159 in the key reader. You can also use a butter knife in the key reader and it will do the same.
Just checking, is Keith using dedicated Alfa Romeo diagnostic software or a generic diagnostic scanner to read the error, as there is no "steering lock component" in the key, just the immobilizer chip.
, my knowledge of car tech is minimal, so I don’t know what Keith is reading into.
Take your point about the lock. Can you offer best advice - new lock module? Strip and lubricate? Is there a replacement PCB that could be bought?
Take your point about the lock. Can you offer best advice - new lock module? Strip and lubricate? Is there a replacement PCB that could be bought?
Unfortunately new lock modules are no longer available (If anyone knows differently PLEASE speak up), and as far as I know the security code in the Steering Lock Module can not be cloned onto a working second hand item from a donor card. (Again, if anyone knows otherwise please speak up)
You could try strip and lubricate, but be aware, removing the old Steering Module can be a little tricky as its mounted with Security Shear Bolts. Search YouTube for 159 Steering Lock removal and you'll see what I mean.
You could try strip and lubricate, but be aware, removing the old Steering Module can be a little tricky as its mounted with Security Shear Bolts. Search YouTube for 159 Steering Lock removal and you'll see what I mean.
I’d be inclined to remove the guts from the module and take my chances with the Mot tester when the Mot comes around.
But I think the module is linked to all the electronics in the car?
It is, but you could remove the mechanical part that locks into the column and clean up the contacts for the electrics. As BazzBazz mentioned previously there are a few threads already on here. One in great detail. Removing the module shouldn’t be too much trouble if you have a dremel type tool with a cutting disc.But I think the module is linked to all the electronics in the car?
If the key powers up the dash, the steering lock is at fault. Best option is to transplant your PCB from the lock into the case of a known working unit
It's possible to bypass the steering module, previous owner did this to mine. Removes a failure mode but means the steering lock light is always on and there's no mechanical steering lock. Not been an issue with the last 2 MoTs
I think you will find that Bill S is not too worried about the current error of the mechanical steering lock not working , but is more worried about complete failure of the Steering Lock Module in the future, which can happen.
There are two functions of the module, locking the steering column & powering up the cars systems. As long as the steering lock does not fail in the LOCKED position, there is not much of a issue, but if the module fails completely and will no longer power up the rest of the cars systems (you put the key in the reader and nothing powers up) then you have a major problem.
There are two functions of the module, locking the steering column & powering up the cars systems. As long as the steering lock does not fail in the LOCKED position, there is not much of a issue, but if the module fails completely and will no longer power up the rest of the cars systems (you put the key in the reader and nothing powers up) then you have a major problem.
That's not quite correct, your car may have the mechanical part of the Steering Lock bypassed so that there is no locking of the column, but the Module itself cannot be fully bypassed, as it is required to power up the rest of the cars systems and is part of the "linked" security code system.It's possible to bypass the steering module, previous owner did this to mine. Removes a failure mode but means the steering lock light is always on and there's no mechanical steering lock. Not been an issue with the last 2 MoTs
Nailed it.
I am working on bypassing the lock. If the lock is still on the network you will see error messages. I have the lock totally disconnected and no errors.
There is a pretty big security hole where putting your finger in the slot turns the car (bench) on but that's just a matter of making an emulator.
I've got keys, diesel ECU virginising sorted and I can also now clone key slots and even generate a new slot based on a body computer.
Next up is the steering lock. I think they can be virginised rather than coded to the bsi but I need some doners to do some more testing.
After that I'll work on an emulator/bypass for them
I am working on bypassing the lock. If the lock is still on the network you will see error messages. I have the lock totally disconnected and no errors.
There is a pretty big security hole where putting your finger in the slot turns the car (bench) on but that's just a matter of making an emulator.
I've got keys, diesel ECU virginising sorted and I can also now clone key slots and even generate a new slot based on a body computer.
Next up is the steering lock. I think they can be virginised rather than coded to the bsi but I need some doners to do some more testing.
After that I'll work on an emulator/bypass for them
Bazzbazz is right. My car works and it is the fear of future failure that is concerning. Taking on board other contributions I think I will dowse the module with electrical switch cleaner while we are in Canada and see what happens on our return.
Thank you samirsarwar but i don’t understand most of your last comment. My fault not yours.
Thank you samirsarwar but i don’t understand most of your last comment. My fault not yours.
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