Can't turn key - 2007, 2008 Sprinters (yahoo group repost)

jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen
On Sprinter-Source, member BRANCALEONE started this thread
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3830

This was seen recently in the Yahoo Sprinter Van group content:

Re: Can't turn ignition keys in 2008 Sprinter. Help!

I recently experienced the same problem; below is my e-mail to Doktor A
and his reply, as well as the final outcome....

==============================

Hi Wendy, It's appears to be some kind of failure of the lock tumbler in the
ignition. Towing without the driveshaft disconnected can only be done at low
speeds and short distances thus the tow driver must disconnect the driveshaft.
Let me (and group) know what happens. Regards, Andy

--- On Sat, 6/13/09, mikeydaldog <wendyatkinson@...> wrote:


> From: mikeydaldog <wendyatkinson@...>
> Subject: Sprinter emergency
> To: abittenbinder@...
> Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 2:35 AM
> Hi
> I'm a fan of yours from the SprinterVan forum and would
> appreciate any help you can give me before Monday. And
> I promise feedback.
>
> I have a 2008 Roadtrek RSA on a 2007 2500 Sprinter Chassis
> - after driving 7 hrs from Seattle to Redmond OR this Friday
> night (tonight), I pulled into a spot in front of the RV
> office to fill out the paperwork - when I returned to the
> RV, I inserted my key into the ignition, but was not able to
> turn it in the ignition. I cannot move the steering
> wheel more than 2-3" either direction. The radio
> works, the mileage indicators come on when the door is
> opened with the key in the ignition. I could not shift
> out of park.
> Unfortunately, the spare key is in Seattle.
> A tow truck driver tried the following -
> 1) insert key while trying to turn steering wheel, then try
> to turn ignition without succus
> 2) lock and unlock the doors with the remote, then try #1)
> again, without success
> Eventually he popped upon a small access hole to the
> "shifter" and was able to use a screw driver to get the
> shifter out of park and put it in neutral before lifting the
> front end and towing us into an RV parking spot about 100'
> away. For this, I paid $100.
> The plan is for him to return very early on Monday morning,
> lift the front end, "disconnect the drive", whatever that
> means, then tow (back end down) the RV to Gladstone (suburb
> of Portland) 3 hrs away as that is where Chrysler will pay
> him to take it (nearest Sprinter certified repair place from
> here).
> Any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated on what
> should be tried next. Also, is it safe to tow rear end
> down with the "drive-line disconnected". B/c the
> vehicle height is >9' with the roof AC, he says that he
> cannot put it on a flat bed.
>
> Wendy Atkinson
> wishing I were sleepless in Seattle instead of Redmond OR.

=======================
and the final outcome.

Sprinter was towed to local shop in Redmond so that they could grind off the two
of four bolt heads that had been stripped while attempting to remove the drive
shaft cover plate (don't know what the official name is) so that the drive line
could be then disconnected. Then towed to Ron Tonkin Dodge in Gladstone, OR
(suburb of Portland) where they diagnosed a steering column ignition module
failure.

The work sheet lists "08192701 Steering column control module" and the Mopar
replacement part number 68010437AA which on the mopar web site is "Steering
column - Steering wheel - Position
sensor Position sensor, sprinter van 2007 - 2008 and was priced by the dealer
for $262.99 parts with $65.84 labor (zero for me as it was all covered under the
warranty)

They replaced it, and voila, works perfectly fine now. Went down four
days later on Friday, and drove it back to Seattle without any issues.

Interestingly enough, there was another 2007 2500 Sprinter chassis in the shop
for the exact same thing. Wondering if this will become a recall issue in the
next few months.

Wendy Atkinson
happy to have my Sprinter home.

-Jon
 

twistyroad

New member
On Sprinter-Source, member BRANCALEONE started this thread
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3830
This was seen recently in the Yahoo Sprinter Van group content:
Re: Can't turn ignition keys in 2008 Sprinter. Help!
I recently experienced the same problem; below is my e-mail to Doktor A
and his reply, as well as the final outcome....
==============================
Hi Wendy, It's appears to be some kind of failure of the lock tumbler in the
ignition. Towing without the driveshaft disconnected can only be done at low
speeds and short distances thus the tow driver must disconnect the driveshaft.
Let me (and group) know what happens. Regards, Andy
--- On Sat, 6/13/09, mikeydaldog <wendyatkinson@...> wrote:
> From: mikeydaldog <wendyatkinson@...>
> Subject: Sprinter emergency
> To: abittenbinder@...
> Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 2:35 AM
> Hi
> I'm a fan of yours from the SprinterVan forum and would
> appreciate any help you can give me before Monday. And
> I promise feedback.
>
> I have a 2008 Roadtrek RSA on a 2007 2500 Sprinter Chassis
> - after driving 7 hrs from Seattle to Redmond OR this Friday
> night (tonight), I pulled into a spot in front of the RV
> office to fill out the paperwork - when I returned to the
> RV, I inserted my key into the ignition, but was not able to
> turn it in the ignition. I cannot move the steering
> wheel more than 2-3" either direction. The radio
> works, the mileage indicators come on when the door is
> opened with the key in the ignition. I could not shift
> out of park.
> Unfortunately, the spare key is in Seattle.
> A tow truck driver tried the following -
> 1) insert key while trying to turn steering wheel, then try
> to turn ignition without succus
> 2) lock and unlock the doors with the remote, then try #1)
> again, without success
> Eventually he popped upon a small access hole to the
> "shifter" and was able to use a screw driver to get the
> shifter out of park and put it in neutral before lifting the
> front end and towing us into an RV parking spot about 100'
> away. For this, I paid $100.
> The plan is for him to return very early on Monday morning,
> lift the front end, "disconnect the drive", whatever that
> means, then tow (back end down) the RV to Gladstone (suburb
> of Portland) 3 hrs away as that is where Chrysler will pay
> him to take it (nearest Sprinter certified repair place from
> here).
> Any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated on what
> should be tried next. Also, is it safe to tow rear end
> down with the "drive-line disconnected". B/c the
> vehicle height is >9' with the roof AC, he says that he
> cannot put it on a flat bed.
>
> Wendy Atkinson
> wishing I were sleepless in Seattle instead of Redmond OR.
=======================
and the final outcome.
Sprinter was towed to local shop in Redmond so that they could grind off the two
of four bolt heads that had been stripped while attempting to remove the drive
shaft cover plate (don't know what the official name is) so that the drive line
could be then disconnected. Then towed to Ron Tonkin Dodge in Gladstone, OR
(suburb of Portland) where they diagnosed a steering column ignition module
failure.
The work sheet lists "08192701 Steering column control module" and the Mopar
replacement part number 68010437AA which on the mopar web site is "Steering
column - Steering wheel - Position
sensor Position sensor, sprinter van 2007 - 2008 and was priced by the dealer
for $262.99 parts with $65.84 labor (zero for me as it was all covered under the
warranty)
They replaced it, and voila, works perfectly fine now. Went down four
days later on Friday, and drove it back to Seattle without any issues.
Interestingly enough, there was another 2007 2500 Sprinter chassis in the shop
for the exact same thing. Wondering if this will become a recall issue in the
next few months.
Wendy Atkinson
happy to have my Sprinter home.
-Jon
This hits WAY too close to home right now... :rant: :cry:
Two weeks ago, I drove The Beast to Staunton, VA, a little under 600 miles from here, to the MSTA (Motorcycle Sport Touring Association) National Rendezvous. I pulled into the hotel circle drive, went in, registered, came back out, and... same symptoms as above... basically, the vehicle wouldn't "electronically recognize" the key.
I tried two other keys (my wife's and a spare). I disconnected and reconnected the battery to allow the system to "reboot" (twice). I hooked up the StarMOBILE and tried to resolve and clear the DTCs. Nothing. Couldn't unlock the steering or get it out of Park, so finally had to have it flat-bed-hauled to the nearest dealer, about 35 minutes north in Harrisonburg.
They went round and round ordering parts, then with having trouble with the diagnostic computer (by the third day that they had it, I finally resorted to riding up to Harrisonburg to show them how to hook up a StarMOBILE and read the DTCs), then the dealer's LAN went down, then they went through two more iterations of parts-ordering (1st the EIS, 2nd a TCM (!), 3rd some one-time-use security bolts - ?).
Meanwhile, by last weekend, my wife and I had to leave so we could get home to get back to work, so we rode the bike back home. When I talked to the dealer yesterday, they had just (finally) gotten The Beast finished, so I'll ride back up there Sunday, put the bike in the back, and drive it back home Monday. I'm not at all convinced that this recovery mission will go smoothly... at least not until I get The Beast out of that dealer's hands... :yell:
Rock
 
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hkpierce

'02 140 Hi BlueBlk Pass
This hits WAY too close to home right now...
They went round and round ordering parts, then with having trouble with the diagnostic computer (by the third day that they had it, I finally resorted to riding up to Harrisonburg to show them how to hook up a StarMOBILE and read the DTCs), then the dealer's LAN went down, then they went through two more iterations of parts-ordering (1st the EIS, 2nd a TCM (!), 3rd some one-time-use security bolts - ?).

Rock

Twisty: I hope under warranty... Your fabulous rebuild could be used two ways ... the positive one is that it documents that you did not remove the steering column.
 

twistyroad

New member
Twisty: I hope under warranty... Your fabulous rebuild could be used two ways ... the positive one is that it documents that you did not remove the steering column.
Yes, it's all under warranty. It's been more than six months since I buttoned everything up... if I had created this problem, it would have shown up long before now.
 

jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen
While I'm grateful that you reported the situation, I'm gravely dismayed at the content.

Get a vehicle scan report before leaving the dealership if you can spare the time and if you don't mind, post an image of the work order (redact private info as needed).

My condolences, Rock. That you had to teach them to use StarMOBILE is unforgivable. That you reported it so others might see the conceivable challenges owner/drivers may encounter is nothing short of golden. Thanks for taking the time to let the world know.

-Jon

PS: Please report this dealership to Chrysler and underscore the need for real training processes that test knowledge transfer from the material to the technician. NAFTA NCV3s may merely number in the tens of thousands, but damnit we deserve a higher level of confidence that our issue-resolution of last resort (dealerships) have at least as much info as we owner/drivers.
 
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Altered Sprinter

Happy Little Vegemite
Jon makes the point that is accurate dealers in most part don't seem to understand. As an example as to Europe and Asia Pacific, the training is extensive, as to the courses involved for a Mechanic and Electrical technician to perform and execute works on a Sprinter if required.
The cost is so cheap, the dealer can't lose as to customer satisfaction.
Richard
mbt1 (Custom).jpg

mbt2 (Custom).jpg

mbt3 (Custom).jpg

mbt4 (Custom).jpg
 

jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen
Yeah, I tried to register to take one of those course via web based training (wbt).

Guess what: You have to pay with credit card that is at a bank which is in Europe or APAC.

A NAFTA residents are not allowed.

To get access to the bb-info portal, I had to give an address of my employer's UK office.

-Jon
 
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jdcaples

Not Suitable w/220v Gen
I've posted every single document in there.... like the Aux Battery Installation Procedure.
There are no courses offered through the US Bodybuilder's site.
 
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macsprinter

New member
It happened to me last week. Got back from a 1,300 mile road trip the night before. The next day the key would not turn. No dash light with key, only with door opening. Tried the usual stuff. Nothing. Called for tow. Took two trucks to get the van out of my driveway. Transmission unlocked but steering wheel wouldn't unlock. Got to dealer late on Thurs. They looked it on Fri but couldn't figure it out and Chrysler's computers were down. On Mon they found fault codes 9003 and 9005. Steering column lock module failed. They said they could not remove the steering column as the roll pin was stuck in the column. They ordered a new module and steering column. The roll pin did not come with the column so it took another couple of days for a new one to arrive. Completed on Thurs.Mechanic said he had never seen this problem before. Hope it's the last time I have to call for the "hook". I do get a little nervous now every time I turn the key now!
 

Expert Marine

Electronics
It happened to me too. I went to leave, and the key didn't turn. It took the dealer 15 days to fix it. It seems like they were guessing what to replace, and it finally worked after they replaced the coulomb, but couldn't deliver the vehicle due to a nut they forgot to order.



It's a great point about disconnecting the driveshaft.
 

sprintereei

New member
Hello,
We are another victim of the soon to be famous, Sprinter Ignition Lockout Problem. SILP
We have a 2008 Gas Dodge Sprinter, Service vehicle, a 170" extended. As big as they come. Yesterday I was using the van. I parked it for a few minutes and then tried to start it. The key would not turn. the steering wheel and shifter were also nonfunctional. The rear wheels were locked and the wheel was turned hard right.
So I call the dealer, he calls Chrysler Customer care as we are a business link member. We get a free Tow. I insist on a flatbed tow truck.
The flatbed tow truck arrives and the driver has a nightmare on his hands. Fortunately he has hydrolic wheel dollies. One for each wheel and rolls the sprinter onto his flatbed.
I immediately went out and bought four wheel dollies the next day.
Getting it to the dealer was a trip. We could not fit through any underpasses, as it stood 18ft high in the flatbed.
The dealer tells us they have to replace the entire steering column and the ignition control module and in warranty, thank Walter. (Walter P. Chrysler, car-god.)
Since we are a commercial customer and business link member, the dealer is immediately replacing everything. Residential customers may not get such treatment but should insist on it in warranty cases.


Symptoms all Sprinter owners should know.
1. When you insert the key or get the key fob within four inches of the ignition lock cylinder you will hear a servo noise. This is normal.
2. If you EVER, Even once do not hear this noise or EVER have a problem turning the key, You have a ignition lockout problem. You are about to be stranded. Go straight to your dealer and get a new entire steering column and the ignition control module.
3. If you start to experience problems getting the vehicle to lock or unlock its doors using more than one key fob, You have a ignition lockout problem. You are about to be stranded. Go straight to your dealer and get a new entire steering column and the ignition control module.

For me symptom #3 happened first and started about two weeks prior to total failure. Thought it was a bad key fob, until I tried another keyfob.
For me symptom #2 happened once about three days prior to total failure.

Warning... Do not be fooled. You have a major problem. I believe as these vans age, this is going to be a common problem.

SprinterEEI@gmail.com


 

Mike Horton

New member
This problem cannot be fixed without replacing the whole steering column? I drive a lot of miles. Our oldest 08 is already miled out on the basic warranty. It sounds like an expensive problem.
 

macsprinter

New member
Just my 2 cents from my resent experience. The transmission can be unlocked by opening the access cover under the shift lever. We have the 170 extended 3500. It is 9ft high. The rollaway adds about 4ft, so total height should be around 13ft. Mega roof would add 12.5 inches. I'm not sure a business link customer gets any better treatment than any other.
The only symptom we had prior problem started on the way home from our 10,000 mi service. Stopped for lunch. When I tried to start there was a buzzing sound in the dash, all lights on dash would flash and key would not turn. Turning the sterring wheel worked. This happened sporatically for 4,000 miles until the "lockup"
 
Was browsing looking to see if the steering wheel lock out issue was still around and found that Jon had created this thread from my original posting. Thought I'd round it out with some f/up postings....

Below is a reposting of my Aug 30 and Sept 16 2010 messages on the SprinterVan Yahoo group forum of my (didn't know to do this the first time, thanks Jon) f/up issues to the original problem....I have been "locked out" a total of 3 times. The info below relates to my steering wheel lockout problem for the 3rd (hopefully :thumbup: final) time.

==================================================================
From August 30th 2010
--- In sprintervan@yahoogroups.com, "mikeydaldog" <wendyatkinson@...> wrote:
>
> Well for the third time in about 14 months, just 4 weeks or so since the last
event, my Sprinter ignition system is kaput. Insert key, no recognition, unable
to turn key in ignition, move steering wheel or shift out of park. Called my
friends at Chrysler who sent out the tow truck driver who this time only had to
tow it about 3 miles to Town & Chrysler Dodge on Aurora (Seattle). They've had
it since Friday, and hopefully today they will have figured out the real
problem. Apparently, it is not a problem with the last part that they replaced
(see my prior postings for part number).
>
> This is to say the least a real bummer. I have no trust that I can depend on
this vehicle, which is a problem as it is my RV and I was planning a big
roadtrip to California for the Labor Day weekend. Just in case, does anyone
know of a good repair place in the San Jose area?
>
> All the work is under warranty. But what do I do if it goes out again in 4
months? Given that the repairs currently are free, I cannot see going "outside"
the system for fixing, but that may be my next step. Does anyone know of anyone
on the west coast, preferably Pacific NW that is a guru at electrical stuff?
>
> Wendy A
> 2008 Roadtreak RSA on the 2007 Sprinter 2500.

----------------
Sorry for the delay on the follow-up
The dealer found 3 stored codes:
9012 - "ELV POSITION DEFECTIVE"
9005 - "STORED ELV LOSS OF COMMUNICATION"
and 9003 - "STORED ELV TIMEOUT DURING UNLOCKING"

They replaced the "module-steering control" part number 68054311AA
NOTE: this is the same part that was replaced just the month before, but
different from what was replaced over a year ago (that part was 68010437AA).
============================================================
 
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This is a repost of the second episode which I detailed in the Yahoo group site the month before the third episode - the post is dated July 30th and includes feedback from Doktor A

Anyone else with this/similar problems?
Wendy

================================================
F/up on second dead ignition
first off, no codes with scangauge, but dealers' Stargauge? came up with code
"9005 ECU Loss of communication and ECU timeout during unlocking", which
resulted in a replacement of part "68054311AA module-steering control". no
charge to me as still within original 3yr/36,000 mile warrantee.

Wendy A
2008 Roadtrek RSA on a 2007 Sprinter 2500.

--- In sprintervan@yahoogroups.com, "mikeydaldog" <wendyatkinson@...> wrote:
>
>
> Exact same thing happened again yesterday, but this time in front of my house.
Key won't turn in ignition, no lights come up on dash, wheels will not turn
without tow truck driver (TTD) putting massive weight on steering column to turn
wheels and afterwards, putting the screwdriver in the hole beneath the gear
shifter to get out of park and into neutral. Worked over an hour with a TTD who
was convinced he would be able to tow it from the rear, only to have him finally
concede that with the fiberglass "skirt" RV bodywork, he wasn't going to be able
to lift it without cracking the bodywork - at least not from the rear. Hooked
it up from the front and with the warning about not driving fast or far (5 miles
to the dealer, he had no tools to disengage the drive shaft), off he went with
my second mortgage.
> Will hear from my new friend Casey (the Sprinter guy) at the dealership just
what the heck is going on today. Scangauge has no codes, though, I'm not sure
it would.
> Question - does leaning hard on the steering wheel to turn it cause long term
problems? was the steering wheel "locked" as in some security mode, and was
something partially broken to release it? I can just say that my namby pampy
girly strength was no where near enough to turn the wheels (parked near curb
pointed up hill, so wheels turned for safety when I parked it earlier in the
day).
> Wendy A
> 2008 Roadtrek RSA on a 2007 2500 Sprinter chassis.
> PS - just happy I wasn't stuck in the middle of Oregon like last time.
>
>
> --- In sprintervan@yahoogroups.com, "abittenbinder" <abittenbinder@> wrote:
> >
> > I stand corrected- The Steering Column Module was indeed the culprit because
it activates the electric steering column unlock signal from the CGW. Doktor A
> >
> >
> >
> > -- In sprintervan@yahoogroups.com, "abittenbinder" <abittenbinder@> wrote:
> > >
> > > They essentially replaced your keyed ignition switch which is integrated
in an assembly known as the CGW-the Central Gateway Module. It essentially
combines the old familiar SKREEM and the key transponder antenna and the remote
lock antenna and the keyed ignition switch into one unit which must be replaced
if any individual components fail. Thanks for the feedback. Doktor A
==================================================================
 

Electrician

Diesel and Electrons
2008 Sprinter 2500, owned since new, 50k, regular service at Mercedes dealership

I've been having trouble with my steering lock not releasing for a couple years. Until recently I was able to jiggle the steering wheel back and forth to get it to release. A couple weeks ago, nothing. No sound or firing attempt by the solenoid. I have a new ignition, locking mechanism and steering column installed by the dealer now.

Am I out of the woods with the new parts in there?

Mercedes denied any responsibility since I am out of my warranty, even considering the history.

Sounds like a recurring issue for other Sprinter owners. Any grounds for recovering my $ on this?

Thanks
 
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showkey

Well-known member
Any grounds for recovering my $ on this? Thanks[/QUOTE said:
You have documentation of the problem over a long period of time ( while under warranty ) and MB has a history of this problem with other vehicles........so you left with few options, one is to sue small claims, lemon law but not a good choice because your problem and timing does not likely qualify or Mag/Moss breach of warranty. Not to mention sounds like it still not fixed???

If there is enough of these key problems class action or safety action would be an other Option but EGR would be a better class than the key problem and thats not happened.
Any and all of these options is going to be a hassle.

If your organized and articulate and have a little time small claims might get a settlement on this known problem. You do need proof not I read on the internet:thumbdown::bash::bash:
 
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