How to Prevent or Fix the Steering Wheel Column Lock Actuator Issue on an Audi A6 / Q7 (DIY Repair)

Dear viewer,

In this video I am showing you how to repair or prevent the infamous steering lock issue that A6 C6 generation Audis have. The same steering lock module has also been used on Audi Q7 SUVs from the same generation and therefore, these are also prone to the same failure that is observed with the A6 C6. As the module is pretty much identical across the two vehicle models, the solution that I have presented in the video is also applicable for the Audi Q7.

There are several ways to deal with the steering lock issue, which I have listed and explain in the video. However, the manner I have chosen to prevent the steering lock problem from appearing on my personal vehicle was to simply disable the steering from locking itself. If it can't lock, then there is no way that module can fail in the locked position.

As usual, if you have any questions please post them in the comment section below and we will do our best to answer them. Don't forget to like the video if you found it helpful and subscribe if you would like to see more videos like this.

Regards,

Endless MotorWorks Team

Credits:

[randymueller]

I'm a retired Professional Wrench, many years at Audi Dealerships, as I remember replacing 3 or 4 complete Steering Columns (plus reprograming) during my career. I had told myself to never own one of these vehicles partially because of this issue, low and behold I found myself buying a 2007 A6 Avant with 139, 000 Miles in early January of 2021 for $5, 000 to replace a souless 2011 Honda Element with uncomfortable Seats that I unloaded to an Acura Dealership for $10, 000. The Audi is 4 times the Vehicle at half the price. I've since make a few repairs plus as preventative maintenance I replaced both the Upper Timing Chain Tensioners. I now have 171K Miles (late November 2022) on the Avant and couldn't be happier with my purchase. I haven't experienced any steering lock issues with my Audi although after stumbling upon this wonderfully informative Video I intend on sniping the Red w/Black Trigger Wire. Thanks so much😉 Randy AKA randog311

[atta]

For the past few years, I dreaded every time I put my key in the ignition, hoping the steering wheel would unlock. Usually it would happen on the coldest dampest days. I made sure I always traveled with my laptop so I could clear the code when it did happen.

No more !!! You're the best !!!
Thanks so much for this video.
You gave my car new life. Makes me love driving the car again.

[marianualart]

I just bought a 2007 A6 with 160K Miles on it with several issues that I can't blame for the price. One of them was that the steering lock was reluctant to work once in a while so I figure it was only waiting for the most inappropriate opportunity to fail completely. Of course I followed your easy video now that I'm still on time. Thank you so much for spare me such a huge headache.

[petaryanchovski]

И аз го премахнах и съм много доволен! По принцип 2 пъти ми се е слъчвало да се заключва и винаги си ме беше страх да не се случи отново.
Моята кола е с безключово палене и по принцип като се задържи педала на спирачката и стоп бутона - се чува как заключва волана.
След като отрязах кабела, го пробвах, за да съм сигурен и не заключи волана, което значи че мисията е успешна!
Благодаря за прекрасният съвет!

[johncoutinho]

You are a genius. You saved me $5820 at the dealership to change out my steering column...It works perfectly now!!!! Everything was just as you explained....Thank you so very

[TOROFRESNO]

Lo acabo de hacer y funciona perfectamente son 5 minutos lo he hecho en un taller amigo normalmente no lo hacen se limitan a cambiar el dispositivo de bloqueo pero es muy fácil lo puede hacer uno mismo muchas gracias por este video ya estaba sentenciado el coche

[kerryhaynes]

OMG, IT WORKED, I was stuck at work. It said take load off steering. I got it to disengage made it home saw the video and did it. IT WORKED. Thank you so much.

[familieverhoeve]

This is great !! There are lots of costly ways to fix this, without knowing if the fix will last for ever. This is absolutely free and the issue will never return ! Thanks a lot for sharing this with the world !!

[nginuur]

Awesome. I was trying to plan on adding a push button and was wondering how to disable this. Thank you very much.

[olethalb]

Having owned the previous generation A6, this issue nearly swayed me from buying the C6. I’ve had it for nearly 2 years no issues until yesterday i took the key out and heard a clonking from the column, i knew it was likely this issue. Luckily i found this vid, followed the steps but depinned the red and black wire right away so no more lock or worries! Thanks for taking time to make the video 👍🏻

[w.]

Thanks. Did this to my A6 C6 2006 2.4l and so far no issues no more

[yaazif]

Did this now on my q7 4.2 fsi after driving around for 6 yrs resetting the error code evertime I needed to start the car. What a shlep which resulted in me hardly driving the car. Took me 10 min and now it's fixed. What a massive thank you... 👏👏😉

[derekwebster]

Well done for this video. I did this about 6 years ago when l experienced this fault 3 times after clearing the fault code (twice away from home) Took me months to figure it out and l cut two cables! Now see l only needed the one cable cut. I did post my method on an audio forum, however see yours is simpler🎉. Thanks for your post am sure it will prevent the anxiety our of many drivers heads 😊

[vladimirsrdic]

I also did this as a precaution. thank you very much for your help. p.s.
Has anyone had a problem with the error p3053 starter terminal 50. it happens that sometimes it takes a long time to start the engine, so it throws this error

[aktn]

Thanks, just fixed mine. Started to unlock randomly and remembered seeing your video a while back

[slickytait]

Bit late to the party but thank you. This action saves a lot of trouble and hassle having to get to the circuit board. Thank you massively 👍👍👍

[wesleyrietveld]

It works, i did the job today.. i was really scared but everything turned out fine thanks! 👍🏻

[evelynmunemo]

This is great, my husband has done this to our Q7 after watching this video since then we never had this issue of steering control module .

[markusaurelius]

Excellent video, so easy. Thank you so much! Stranded yesterday with my A6C6/4F 2005 2.4v6, car was completely dead after short shop visit. Tried to erase codes with vcds, no luck, couldn’t acces modules. Pulled fuse 42 for 5 minutes, to reset fault code steering column lock module. Battery on charger, was quite empty by trying and fiddling around to try and find/fix the error. et voila! Car back to life again! So happy. Today i’ve first cleared all the codes and cut the red/black wire.
No steering lock anymore but don’t care.
Thanx for sharing this info!!!

[rezateymouri]

I have an Audi A4 B8 with the same problem. After watching your video, I disconnected that wire in my car as well, and the problem is now resolved. The only difficulty was that I first had to remove the entire steering wheel! Thank you so much!❤❤❤