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It's definitely NOT a battery problem. Their ServiceTech is just checking off their gut feel rather than running thru the Workshop Manual's protocols. If they would have run thru their service bulletin it would have clearly outlined what others have had to go thru:
(CAVEAT: Just for clarification - you have Auto Stop/Start but it won't restart when you press the gas. This is normal for it to turn off and then you just press the gas to go. If pressing the gas does nothing, then this is the Service Bulletin for you)
Yes, to clarify, when this has happened, pressing the gas does nothing. We have to restart the engine, it just seems to have died all of a sudden, and angry drivers toot behind as we often end up missing the green light in the process . Usually the stop/start function works fine but then when we least suspect engine has just died and nothing moves.
Unfortunately, yes there are a few on this forum (and an unknown elsewhere) that have had the locking-steering wheel problem. My dealership picked mine up and cleared the fault but they don't know what caused it. A couple of other members on this thread then had the same issue, so I reported mine to the NHTSA.
It's a tow away for most, and I know Muppetry's battery disconnect may work, but the dealership also does a diagnostic and reset of any faulty codes. plus they're made aware of the problem. I hope yours fixed. I'm really interested to know what your dealership says.
Mine just pulled this stunt today. No power steering, all else seems fine. No loaner cars available for a month. May do the battery disconnect myself and see what happens. UGH!
Update - disconnected the battery for about 10 minutes, reconnected it and all seems fine again. Going to stop by the dealer tomorrow and have them pull codes.
Sorry to hear about the troubles some are having, but just to clarify, this is happening on the only P400 PHEV Defenders? Some glitch in the dual battery system?
Yes, to clarify, when this has happened, pressing the gas does nothing. We have to restart the engine, it just seems to have died all of a sudden, and angry drivers toot behind as we often end up missing the green light in the process . Usually the stop/start function works fine but then when we least suspect engine has just died and nothing moves.
Try this to take away the stress. You can usually anticipate the green light. At that point, tap the gas gently but quickly. This will restart the engine but it will not release brake hold. May take some practice but I can do it every time now.
You can then relax as you wait to move while the engine runs. Just hit gas again when you need to release the hold and move forward.
This way, if it does stall, you'll know before everyone is moving and you wont hold anyone up.
Sorry to hear about the troubles some are having, but just to clarify, this is happening on the only P400 PHEV Defenders? Some glitch in the dual battery system?
I presume...mine is a P400. Easily fixed by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Now carry a 10mm wrench with me for the next time this may happen. Just like when most LR3 owners carried a brake pedal switch and screwdriver with us at all times. When this $39 part failed it disabled an LR3. Mine failed on the NJ Turnpike just after crossing the GW Bridge. But I was prepared and knew what to do when the "Christmas Tree of Death" appeared. (When the brake switch failed, every LR3 dashboard warning light would come on)
Mine just pulled this stunt today. No power steering, all else seems fine. No loaner cars available for a month. May do the battery disconnect myself and see what happens. UGH!
Update - disconnected the battery for about 10 minutes, reconnected it and all seems fine again. Going to stop by the dealer tomorrow and have them pull codes.
THIS EXACT THING happened to me this AM. I have a 2023. 6 weeks old. Got in my car this AM with kids to drive to school. Steering wheel locked and i could drive back and forth but nothing else. Had to have it towed.
So what was it?
What happened with yours? My 2023 was just towed in b/c of the same thing. Lane assist light and then steering locked after I turned car on from being parked.
Carry a 10mm wrench with you so you can disconnect the negative battery terminal under the passenger seat. Wait about 10 minutes, reconnect and you should be good to go. No idea what causes the power steering to leave, but it's electric and you certainly can't "muscle it" like the old power steering systems.
My guess is that it's a software glitch after a software update did not load correctly. Cell service is terrible where I live. To fix this, I added a router in the room above our garage. When I get an update available notice, I turn off the cellular data in the Defender menu and connect it to our Wifi. You will need to enter your home Wifi password into the Defender. Then launch the update, lock the Defender and the software update should load correctly using Wifi instead of a cell signal.
The locked steering wheel has not returned since I changed the software updates to load using Wifi.
