Steering lock, Battery Low
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Moscow
S-class W221
Steering lock, Battery Low
So i went out today and drove for more than 2hrs, then after that i went to car wash, then when i got home as i was parking the steering locked and the car stopped like it was in park, i switched off the engine and waited few seconds and turn the car on again, It started but i saw "Battery Low" warning! and steering is still locked and i couldnt park the car properly.
Has this ever happened to anyone else before???? i literally just blew money fixing this car's suspension and now this ... I want to have an idea of how much it will cost me to repair it, Thanks
Has this ever happened to anyone else before???? i literally just blew money fixing this car's suspension and now this ... I want to have an idea of how much it will cost me to repair it, Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
is it a facelift late 2009 or newer car ?
if you had just driven it - usually the battery would have charged up - if it didn't, then the charging and or battery needs to be checked thoroughly
these are weird and wonderful vehicles - any voltage issues can basically get any condition you can imagine...
start checking with a good battery - keep on a power supply and do full diagnostics - likely keep a copy of those lies, clear the lot, start it up and check battery charging - then diagnostics all over and see what its then saying - and hope to move forward from there
if you had just driven it - usually the battery would have charged up - if it didn't, then the charging and or battery needs to be checked thoroughly
these are weird and wonderful vehicles - any voltage issues can basically get any condition you can imagine...
start checking with a good battery - keep on a power supply and do full diagnostics - likely keep a copy of those lies, clear the lot, start it up and check battery charging - then diagnostics all over and see what its then saying - and hope to move forward from there
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Moscow
S-class W221
That is alot of technical stuffs, i dont have all the diagnosis things ... So i just went outside again now to see if it will work, the car started, electronics and everything worked, i put the car in drive, it drove, i put it in reverse, it worked... but !!!!! THE STEERING is locked! 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
I didn't even now they have a steering lock ? r u sure ? these days the electronics lock you out from starting it - so you tend not to have a mechanical steering lock that goes wrong anymore
my fathers 211 has one - but never come across one in my 221 in 8 years of ownership ???
my fathers 211 has one - but never come across one in my 221 in 8 years of ownership ???
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
Likes: 501
From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
I don't think they do..... See if your serpentine belt broke. Check the power steering pump.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
if the drive belt fell off from worn idler bearings u get a flat battery and no PAS - nice thinking vettebk
if this is the issue - the OP should consider the accuracy of his initial diagnosis / question to the forum re "the steering locked" - if you have heavy / stiff steering, this is not the steering wheel / column wont turn due to a security device that's stuck enabled....
if this is the issue - the OP should consider the accuracy of his initial diagnosis / question to the forum re "the steering locked" - if you have heavy / stiff steering, this is not the steering wheel / column wont turn due to a security device that's stuck enabled....
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
Likes: 501
From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
Also, when the ABS pump decides to die or exceeds the number of registrations, the W221 loses power steering and goes into "dyno" mode where power steering is restricted. He may think he has a steering lock and just really lost power steering pressure.
We really need codes.
We really need codes.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Moscow
S-class W221
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
Likes: 501
From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
Excellent. Now consider also replacing the pulleys and the belt tensioner. There was probably a reason why that belt was shredded like that.
My people are not famous for making promises, we are famous for issuing prophesies.
Keep us posted on those pulleys and tensioner.
My people are not famous for making promises, we are famous for issuing prophesies.
Keep us posted on those pulleys and tensioner.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
if a v8, upper idler pulley in the middle tends to fall off
otherwise if the belt is 100k miles and 15 years - turn inside out and flex in a tight turn - if its dry with loads of cracks and or the ribbed bits are falling off / missing - might just be an old belt
otherwise if the belt is 100k miles and 15 years - turn inside out and flex in a tight turn - if its dry with loads of cracks and or the ribbed bits are falling off / missing - might just be an old belt
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Moscow
S-class W221
Excellent. Now consider also replacing the pulleys and the belt tensioner. There was probably a reason why that belt was shredded like that.
My people are not famous for making promises, we are famous for issuing prophesies.
Keep us posted on those pulleys and tensioner.
My people are not famous for making promises, we are famous for issuing prophesies.
Keep us posted on those pulleys and tensioner.
Thanks for the help and advice
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
Likes: 501
From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
Definitely keep an eye on this. I understand broke. I completely understand broke. As soon as you can, at least think about buying the pulleys and tensioner; and keeping them in the trunk of the car. That way, when you notice it making noises or wobbling, you will have what you need.
Most people forget that the big cost of owning an older W221 is the maintenance. Anything plastic and everything subjected to prolonged engine heat will need to be maintained. I listed the general system weaknesses for you earlier. For example, you need to change the ABC fluid and filter every two years at a cost of $140 plus labor. Can you blow it off? Absolutely, but I promise you it will cost you $4500 to replace the ABC system components when they foul and fail from dirt in the fluid. Isn't it better to pay the $140+?
If you seriously cannot afford this car, clean it up and sell it.
Most people forget that the big cost of owning an older W221 is the maintenance. Anything plastic and everything subjected to prolonged engine heat will need to be maintained. I listed the general system weaknesses for you earlier. For example, you need to change the ABC fluid and filter every two years at a cost of $140 plus labor. Can you blow it off? Absolutely, but I promise you it will cost you $4500 to replace the ABC system components when they foul and fail from dirt in the fluid. Isn't it better to pay the $140+?
If you seriously cannot afford this car, clean it up and sell it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Moscow
S-class W221
Excellent. Now consider also replacing the pulleys and the belt tensioner. There was probably a reason why that belt was shredded like that.
My people are not famous for making promises, we are famous for issuing prophesies.
Keep us posted on those pulleys and tensioner.
My people are not famous for making promises, we are famous for issuing prophesies.
Keep us posted on those pulleys and tensioner.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
that picture is of the AC cush drive - these bearings are 2mm narrower than Audi use for the same application and wear at 50K miles - there are two other idler belt pulleys that should fail first
Merc designed to fail business model in motion....
Merc designed to fail business model in motion....
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
Likes: 501
From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
Always happy to help. It is sometimes expensive, but it always pays in the long run to completely diagnose an issue. Glad you found out before it was in flames. One of the things I did on my 2007 S600 was take on an additional insurance policy with Haggerty for a stated value. These cars no longer have a decent blue book value; and if you flamed it and it burned completely; you would only get pennies for the loss. In my opinion, if you are going to spend big bucks maintaining the car, it should be covered by insurance for a stated value. I picked $30K for mine which only has a blue book today of $8500 but has more than $12K invested to keep the car in good state.
A well maintained S Class is the finest motorcar in the World.
A well maintained S Class is the finest motorcar in the World.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 5
From: Moscow
S-class W221
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,322
Likes: 1,678
S500
power steering on cars isn't power steering - by law it has to be power assisted steering - we leave it to 40 tonne lorries to get power steering - so the carnage is appropriately catastrophic when that fails - in the mean time, your car has a mechanical link between the steering wheel and the the road wheels - all that goes walkabout is the help...
whilst this seems great - its easy to catch you out and you go straight on when you meant to turn - if the engine cuts out at the point of turn in (easy with a CPS issue or a misfiring engine) the assistance you expected to have goes immediately and you don't turn enough - whereas if its just missing all the time or consistently playing up you are ready for heavy steering and can drive leaving full control.
a pump self destructing is not common - although if low on fluid and its been making noises and you ignore - that will certainly make bearings hate life - to go from A1 to completely dead is very unusual - Maybe an idler went and the belt took out a PAS pressure hose and you drove on for a week low on fluid, that would certainly cause severe wear to the pump and likely failure - but it would have been making serious noises.... whilst driving a car with no power assistance is doable - its not a great thing for the steering rack - and will certainly encourage that to give up too
if there's some crude left the pump with enough good fluid is usually quite adept and munching it up to a grey filth - in a week swap the fluid again... if clean no issue, if a bit nasty do it again in week 2
when a car goes wrong - unless in a extreme low temps / desert where you will definitely die if you stay there - NEVER drive on with a fault present...
whilst this seems great - its easy to catch you out and you go straight on when you meant to turn - if the engine cuts out at the point of turn in (easy with a CPS issue or a misfiring engine) the assistance you expected to have goes immediately and you don't turn enough - whereas if its just missing all the time or consistently playing up you are ready for heavy steering and can drive leaving full control.
a pump self destructing is not common - although if low on fluid and its been making noises and you ignore - that will certainly make bearings hate life - to go from A1 to completely dead is very unusual - Maybe an idler went and the belt took out a PAS pressure hose and you drove on for a week low on fluid, that would certainly cause severe wear to the pump and likely failure - but it would have been making serious noises.... whilst driving a car with no power assistance is doable - its not a great thing for the steering rack - and will certainly encourage that to give up too
if there's some crude left the pump with enough good fluid is usually quite adept and munching it up to a grey filth - in a week swap the fluid again... if clean no issue, if a bit nasty do it again in week 2
when a car goes wrong - unless in a extreme low temps / desert where you will definitely die if you stay there - NEVER drive on with a fault present...
