Steering column locked. None start!

Hi all, my dad has a Freelander 2 TD4 auto. Went to start this morning and after putting key in and pressing start it just made a clicking sound from passenger footwell and displayed "steering column locked" on the display and would attempt to start.
I've been googling this for a while and seem to find quite a few references to it but no one seems to have said they have gotten to the bottom of it.
So far we have checked the earth strap, put a decent booster pack on to rule out the battery, tried giving the steering wheel a shake and pulling at it when trying (read somewhere someone had success with that) and plugged in to computer (not Land Rover one) and reset codes but problem is still there.

Any one had this and been able to find the problem?

Have you tried the spare key? And introduce yourself!

Sorry, have done now. Not really used forums before wasn't aware of a forum etiquette!
Yes tried both keys and still no joy, looking like a trip to a specialist or dealer tomorrow:-( was hoping I could go armed with knowledge on a way this has been fixed before as a lot of my research on it has seen people spending thousands and not getting anywhere!

Is the alarm led flashing?
Do you have 12v at the starter solenoid?

It's something to do with the ignition side. My understanding is the most immobiliser stays on if it thinks the steering lock is still engaged as its a solenoid due to the push button start. I read a couple of posts saying sometimes the steering lock didn't engage when turning the car off and then they would have this problem afterwards. Most found disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes then enabled it to start but no joy.

Dismantle the ignition switch. clean up all the contacts and vaseline it all prior to reassembly. Or get a new switch

By ignition switch do you mean the dock for the key or push button start? Got a local specialist coming out this afternoon to plug it in and take a look.

key dock

What year is it?

I think there's a software update to alleviate this issue - will check tomorrow

It's a 2009 09 2.2 td4 auto. Hopefully that is all needed!

I've had an update on the car from the specialist (world wide Land Rover in southport).
Apparently it's the steering lock module releasing the steering lock but not telling the car. New one 186 plus vat .bolts.fitting etc.
He's got it working again but not sure how or what's causing it to trip.. so may/will go again so I've gone for a new one. It's made by volvo... name cast into metal housing.
Any suggestions as if that's not the cause it is only going to fail again and again until the core issue is identified. Could this be software upgrade as mentioned above?

Hi sorry for delay in getting back to you!

There is a software update to the body control module and instrument pack to overcome a false flag of the "steering column locked" message

Good luck in getting your car fixed

Hi TD4 Van, how's it going? Do you know if this update is only available through main dealers, or would specialists have it too? Thanks,
Jake

jakereilly22 said:

Hi TD4 Van, how's it going? Do you know if this update is only available through main dealers, or would specialists have it too? Thanks,
Jake

Click to expand...

Not sure - depends on the kit the specialists have to be honest - I think it’s available via Autologic or if the specialist has SDD

I'm having same problem on my 2008 FL.
I found out the steering module plug has 4 connects
1 not used ?
2 green + orange pulse 12v when key inserted
3 black + purple ground
4 . Grey white = Lin 6 to 11 volts.
Working on mine at the moment any suggestions to get it fixed.

My steering locked message just disappeared while fiddling.
Car now cranks but won't fire up.
Going to start a new post