9-3 SS steering lock

[t0ny99]

Okay, my first thought when shown the new electro-mechanical steering doodah was that it had the potential to be a propoer PITA. What was wrong with the old reverse-lock anyway?

Cut a boring story short (4 months into ownership), outside the bank today the car flat refused to allow me to turn the key, prompting "remove key and try again" on the SID, or words to that effect. I could feel that the steering lock had not properly engaged, but still it was not possible to move the wheel more than a couple of degrees. It took a couple of minutes of heavy-handed wheel twiddling, and numerous insertions/withdrawls before starting was allowed.

Has anyone else experienced problems with this system?

Also, as a matter or curiosity, what is it's default failure mode...I assume it requires constant power to remain engaged?

[ylee coyote]

there has been a recall for keys on the 9-3 ss
both my saloon (52 plate ) and the cabrio(04) have been done

I had a non staart on the cabrio before they changed the key

[TUS 373]

This has happened to me a couple of times recently in my 03 before I sold it last week. I generally found that the best way to deal with problems like this was to lock the car up and then unlock it again. This seemed to reboot all the systems and make things work as they should.

[t0ny99]

3 times in a week now. Not sure the key recall applies, it's an '06 car, feels more like the mechanism in the column. If it happens again, I shall visit the dealer.

On a separate note, the fuel consumption has dropped markedly following a cobweb-clearing run through Europe last week (1400 odd miles, at "making progress" speeds)...after disappointing (for a diesel) first 6000 miles, I seem to be able to get up to 45mpg (from sub-40s before)...just loosening up now?