A6 Audi Steering Column Lock Problems

         Update:  Audi has removed the ability to program used steering columns from their scan tools at the dealerships.   We can however now rebuild your column lock.  In most cases it is a two to three week turn around time with a cost of $950  Call Chris 267-279-9477 for details

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Recently we have seen several 2006 Audi A6 with a no start, no dash light and shifter won’t come out of park condition.  This problem can be frustrating and very expensive for the customer. The main problem is with the Audi steering column lock.

The problem makes it hard to tow and move the car around because the steering wheel is locked and the car is stuck in gear.

In some cases if you jump the access start relay under the left side of the dash it will allow you get the car out of gear.  It will be the grey relay in the upper left corner.  You will  also need to hold the high beams on with the key on to bring the ecm alive so you communicate with a scan tool.

If you have a VCDS scan tool you will want to do a full system scan then clear all the codes at the end which should make the car drivable temporarily.

In the end you will need to replace the steering column assembly and get the dealer to code it for you.  Audi in their great wisdom does the sell the steering column lock separately even though it is just a couple of bolts and a plug under the column.

We have had luck installing a used column and getting the dealer to code it but that seems to come with its own set of issues.

Normally our local dealer gets $3000 for the repair using a new column.  and they charge us $1100 in labor to bolt in a used column we supply and program it.

Which in the giant scheme of things seems a little greedy since for the technician that is almost 8 hours labor for installing a used column which I have done several times in under a half hour plus programming time  which without a problem might take 15 minutes.

Programming or coding the module can sometimes be a pain if you can’t communicate with the car but in our case the car ran and drove and could communicate without any problems.

If you would like to learn how to save over $660 in repair cost on your audi visit  http://doylestown218.wpengine.com/car-care-club  for details.