Steering Column Locked - Freelander 2

Hi everyone,

I’m new here and have been researching this forum for help with an issue I’ve been experiencing with my 2009 Freelander 2. First, thank you for the information shared here—it’s been incredibly useful.

Based on advice I found here and on YouTube, I purchased an emulator and had my mechanic fit it. Initially, it worked well, but after about five dashboard warnings for “Steering Column Locked,” my key stopped working entirely.

I had to tow the car to another garage. After sharing my research with them, they hesitated to work on it, citing electrical issues. They ran a free diagnostics for their own investigations but I do not have that report. However, it showed an unknown fault related to the emulator.

Eventually, they referred me to a key car specialist who identified the problem. He replaced the emulator, explaining that an improperly fitted or loose emulator could cause the issues. After this, the car worked fine, until the warning returned, but only with my original key. Interestingly, when I use my spare key, there are no issues.

Here’s my main concern: I’ve read here that it’s essential to ensure the steering lock isn’t activated. My mechanic, who fitted the first emulator, insists the lock can’t activate with the bypass in place. However, I’m not entirely confident, as the key specialist (who replaced the emulator) advised me to consult with my mechanic for confirmation.

I feel like I’m going in circles. While the steering wheel no longer locks without a key in place (confirming the anti-theft lock is removed), I can’t shake the concern that the lock could still activate while driving. I’ve even called Land Rover UK, but I haven’t been able to speak directly to a mechanic for clarification.

If anyone here can confirm whether the emulator truly prevents the steering lock from activating or provide advice on how to explain this to my mechanic, I’d be grateful.

Thank you in advance!

It's actually a volvo system only permanent cure is a new complete steering colume and keys as far as I know.

Have a read of these below see if they help in anyway, some say try a hard battery reset?

Hi, Thank you for your replies and for providing further resources. For now, she is working with the reserve key as mentioned, but I will check out these other resources in the meantime. Thank you.

biketeacherdave said:

It's actually a volvo system only permanent cure is a new complete steering colume and keys as far as I know.

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Thank you, is a complete steering column the same as a steering module unit?

I have seen in one of the videos () Timestamp: 2:34, someone fitting an emulator and points to the Volvo unit calling it a steering module unit that at the time can cost £200 recon or £600 from a dealer. ( I say, at the time of the recording)

Hi,

Arctic2 said:

Have a read of these below see if they help in anyway, some say try a hard battery reset?

Freel2.com - View topic - steering column locked.. solved with vaseline

www.freel2.com

Freel2.com - Search

www.freel2.com

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Hi, thank you once again for the resources, I have read through them all and found another issue that may be connected on this post here: https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic32271.html?highlight=steering+column+lock+emulator&start=15

From: Jimboland - posted in 2015
Also, before the steering column message problem I had the problem with the tailgate not unlocking when the unlock button was pressed twice but would only unlock when the tailgate button was pressed. There is a good thread on here about that problem. After a week this fault cleared itself and the tailgate has unlocked on the second press as normal since then.

It is a 2012 model, so at 8 years old I expect there could be a gremlin or two running around.

This is exactly what is happening to mine, I have found that my tailgate does not open when unlocking the key and to open I need to press the tailgate button. Although I am getting by with the spare key - no 'Steering Column Lock' messages.

I don't want to sell my car, she has a great engine and low mileage for a 2009 plate with just over 100,000 miles. It is, after all, the devil you know right? Land Rover wants to have a diagnostic for £300 just to look at it to tell me there's a fault and then I am probably looking at 2K to get it sorted.

I am just concerned that she will lock up when driving, only a minor concern! NOT, and I can get by with the tailgate issue. I'm not mechanically minded so there is no way I can take off and weld the parts like in one of the threads.

Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed!

ShellyP said:

Any suggestions would be warmly welcomed!

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Well firstly - don’t sell it!
As you say, that’s low mileage for an F2, and yes, you are better fixing your known car rather than buying another unknown one.

I’m sure we can help with the issue, it’s not an uncommon one, so one or two on here will have already had to deal with it.

As for paying for plugging in diagnostic equipment, where are you based (you don’t mention it)? Lots of us have equipment that can read all the codes… you may find there is someone on the forum near you that would plug in and read/clear them for you. I’m in Kent, if you are around here, I can certainly help with equipment for an F1 and an F2.

backinblack said:

Don't think they were fitted to cars with HID's so you may not find one
The height sensors will have 6 wires if the car has one. If there are only 3 wires it won't have one.

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kermit_rr said:

Bi zenon.. that's code for HID? Pretty sure mine doesn't level the headlights

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ShellyP said:

Thank you, is a complete steering column the same as a steering module unit?

I have seen in one of the videos () Timestamp: 2:34, someone fitting an emulator and points to the Volvo unit calling it a steering module unit that at the time can cost £200 recon or £600 from a dealer. ( I say, at the time of the recording)

Click to expand...

Yep £600 ish sounds about right it's a common failure on the F2