Steering lock won't engage using STOP button
 

Vehicle: 2015 Flying Spur W12

I'm experiencing a very odd issue. Whenever I turn the car off using the Start/Stop button, I no longer hear the steering lock engage and then when I open the door, the dash tells me "to engage steering lock, press and hold the stop button". However, this is not the case when I use the physical key in the ignition to do the same. With key in the ignition, the steering lock engages (when key is taken out) and disengages (when key is inserted) as expected. With key in my pocket, the steering lock only disengages when starting the vehicle but does not engage when turning it off. Any ideas?

steering lock
 

My 2013 GTC behaves the same. I don't really see it as a problem. I suspect there is no defect. There are other quirks like this, for example I can't retract the side mirrors when the car is in motion, and I simply assume it's a safety issue and part of the intended design.

Thanks @tteplitzmd . For anyone else reviewing this thread, please see my most recent diagnostic scan below. ACC/Start Auth module shows 1x fault code: 00576 - Terminal 15 - 006 - Short to Plus - Intermittent

Hello @pupdogg ,
First off, thank you so much for putting your full scan in a scroll box, much appreciated ! 😀

As to your fault, have you cleared it, does it return immediately after clearing, did you have any water infiltration, such as the KESSY module getting wet, any other issues before this fault ?

Johnny

Hi @Johnny Hotspur GT , I hope you're well! Yes, I did clear and still nothing. Not sure if you remember but earlier this year I thought I had an issue with the Steering Column Lock Actuator (this post: https://bit.ly/3yDTX9h) and went about taking apart the actuator and verifying it's motor, relays and microswitches worked as expected. In the end, I discovered that the there was no issue with the actuator itself and it originated from me going about my normal day, turning the car off via the Stop button, and then proceeding to exit/locking the vehicle. When I exited, there must've been a message stating "to engage steering lock, press and hold the stop button" but I did not notice it at that time. So, when the next time I went to go turn ON the vehicle, the steering lock was already disengaged and no matter what I tried, the vehicle wouldn't even wake up the dash or turn ON. I rectified this situation after 2 weeks of banging my head against the wall and realizing that if I simply take out the actuator and force/fake lock it by giving its motor 12VDC and then reinsert it back into the steering column that the car would think everything is fine and wake up/turn ON...which it did! Since then, I've been turning the car ON via the Start/Stop button and then turning it OFF using the actual key (which causes the steering lock to actuate). It's a little frustrating not knowing what's causing this to happen.

I tried to Google similar behavior with Audis/VWs and did find another user experiencing the same issue but his forum thread did not post a resolution (here's his thread: https://bit.ly/30iuZ37). So I'm not sure how he got it fixed. Any common sense ideas would be great help as I know you did end up genetically rebuilding your car :)

I have an 06 and I don’t think it ever locked. I only use the push to start button.

My 06 works the same way.

I found it will click/lock if you try and turn the steering wheel a tiny bit after pressing stop.

steering wheel lock
 

I took out the manual. The short answer is when using the start/stop button in lieu of the key, you must lightly press the start/stop button and the steering wheel audibly locks (at least mine does).
When you use the key, upon removal of the key the steering wheel locks. So, in my opinion, as I get the same message you cited, I don't think there's an error.

If you can't get the steering wheel to lock with the manual light touch to the start/stop button, then I've misunderstood your situation.