sammiesdad

I've got a 2013 GLK350 that is exhibiting the classic ESL failure symptoms....column is unlocked, no buzz when key is inserted/removed. Sometimes gauge lights come on, radio will power up part of the time, etc. So I removed the steering column to replace the motor on the ESL and to my chagrin....there wasn't one! There was a (factory installed) piece of foam where the module is supposed to sit, and the hole was drilled for the stud, but no module, no harness, nothing.

Are they locking the column in another way? This model has the electric power steering setup. Is that why it doesn't have one? Or are they locking the column from inside that assembly? And if so, does that mean that it's likely the ignition switch that has failed? Or is there something else I am missing?

Thanks in advance.

LadyS

That's super weird!

Had it previously made the buzzing sound, and has recently stopped? Perhaps they wired in an emulator, and simply crammed a foam block into the steering column? My ESL is no longer mounted into the column, and is simply snugly zip tied up under the dashboard after I replaced the motor earlier this year. It doesn't have to be in the slot, or even actually lock the steering column. It just has to be functional.