ELV fault symptoms

This BMW ELV electronic steering lock fault is a very common fault with later BMW’s.

Have you got the red or yellow warning light with steering wheel and padlock? It is common on BMWs and MINIs between 2004 and 2008. If your car equipped with idrive system you will have got the corresponding error message on the idrive screen too.
The problem with ELV is known in the BMW E70, E71, E72, E81, E82, E83, E84, E87, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93, E60, E61, E63, E64 models
and also Mini R55, R56 (1,3,5,6,X1,X3,X5 series).

Possible error messages:

• → Steering Lock Engaged. Electronic steering wheel lock system (ELV) is inhibiting engine start. Move steering wheel in order to start engine.
• → Steering lock faulty. Electronic steering wheel lock is not disabled once the engine has been switched off. Engine cannot be restarted.
• → Steering wheel lock. Electric steering wheel lock defective. Steering wheel cannot be locked or unlocked, as applicable. Engine start may not be possible.
• → Elektrische Lenkradverriegelung defekt. Lenkrad kann nicht ver- bzw. entriegelt werden. Motorrstart ggf. nicht möglich.
• → Elektrische Lenkradvereriegelung verspannt. Lenkrad kann nicht entriegelt werden. Zum Motorstart Lenkrad bewegen.
• → Steering Lock Engaged. The electro-mechanical steering wheel lock system (ELV) is inhibiting engine start. Move steering wheel in order to start engine.