This is my first technical post (after my introduction.
).Last night I go into my "53" Espace, put in the card, pressed the button.... and nothing happened, "STEERING IS LOCKED MOVE WHEEL" or somesuch came up.
I twisted the wheel which was not locked, although you can only move it a 1/2 turn or so either way with the engine off.
I tried a couple of times and again this morning with a different card.
The AA man turned up & got in, waggled the steering wheel which was not supposed to move at this point, put in the key-card, pressed the ignition button and it worked
We tried it several times and it never failed.
It looks like the electric solenoid operated lock failed to engage and threw a wobbly, the computer deciding it was either a safety fault or someone was trying to steal the car. But having reset itself randomly it now works fine, making a loud clunk as the key-card is put in and pulled out of its reader. He plugged in his computer and no fault was registered.
So no hurry to get it fixed if I am happy that I can't trust it.
French cars are great to drive, with loads of character, but they can be so frustrating at times.
I have been reading threads like mad and it looks like this is not uncommon on the Espace and cars using the same part, e.g. Megan. It looks like a new one is £300 fitted and a used one £80-£105, for one that doesn't need to be encoded, (reset.)
What do people think?
Is it going to happen again and again, am I doing something wrong?
Is it an easy job to do yourself?
If I get a new one will it last another 10 years?
You surprise me, I was getting the impression they where a nice little earner for the Renault dealers.
