Yellow lift symbol and can't get into ignition and start it.

Yellow lift symbol and can't get into ignition and start it.

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Mini10

Original Poster:

2 posts

50 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
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I have a 2010 MINI Cooper. Few days ago the car drove to the shops fine, but after coming back to it I couldn't start it. The yellow lift sign with no other lights came on in the rev counter, however the start button was illuminated when it shouldn't be. The ignition wouldn't go past the first stage(Just inserting the key in). After fiddling around I somehow managed to start it, no idea how or why.

So I'm now at home with a decent scan tool. I managed to start the car again, but only if I reset the CAS or ELV counter. This allows me to put the car into the second ignition state and start the car and it works fine after that. However as soon as I remove the key, the yellow lift signs pops up again and I'm at the beginning again where I can't get the car past the first ignition state and have to reset either the CAS or ELV counter in order to start the car again.

I believe this is something to do with the steering lock. As I have the code "A115 Electric Steering Lock Line Fault", and as mentioned as long as the key is kept in the ignition after CAS/ELV reset it works fine. But as soon as I remove the key, after few seconds the yellow lift signs pops up again. I presume this is when the car tries to engage the steering lock and fails, which I can confirm the steering lock isn't engaged. I thought this might be a safety feature in case the steering lock fails, but why on earth wouldn't it go off after I insert an authorized key?

I thought this was due to a bad battery as it still had the original battery in it and had few problems. Replaced it with the same new battery today and reprogrammed it, and still the problem persists.
I've tried CAS resynchronization and ELV counter reset, to no avail. I'm confused as to why the car wouldn't show the steering lock fault symbol on the rev counter like I see on youtube videos when searching for A115 fix.

Anybody have any idea what this could be and how to fix it? Even just a suggestion is greatly appreciated.

E82_

3 posts

50 months

Saturday 12th September 2020
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Hey,

I have the same issue which started the same time as you. I have cleared the elv counter and done a CAS reset.

The car start but as soon as I Take the key out the yellow loft symbol comes back on and the car won’t start.

I have ordered a steering lock emulator too see if that will fix the problem and will let you know mate.

Have you had any joy?

Another thing to note is my steering lock won’t engage. I think the steering wheel padlock error is for cards that won’t allow the steering lock to disengage which is why our problem is different.

Don’t fancy swapping out the ELV or the steering column.

I have a 2010 E82.

E82_

3 posts

50 months

Saturday 12th September 2020
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Hey mate,

FYI fixed this problem. I took the shrouds off around the steering column to get access to the elv module on the steering rack. I disconnected the cable and cleaned the contacts put the cable back in and the steering lock engaged. Once the steering lock engaged the car would start no problem and would not need any resets via ISTA. Fingers crossed should be ok now but if not I have the elv bypass on the way so will fit that.

Hope this helps mate as there is nothing really out there in this fault.

Derek