Tucson TLe, but it doesn't matter, this issue is related to other models and brands, including so-called premium (found after extensive search on the internet).
People report sudden "lock", usually when the steering wheel is not-straight. Scanning for codes gives no results, and dealers are either unable to fix as the problem is rare and intermittent, or they replace the steering rack, column and F-K what else.
About 4 or so months ago my wife said she had the steering wheel locked for a moment while driving. I thought - what'ta heck she's talking about.
About two months ago the same happened on a roundabout. She ordered me to look into it.
Additional symptom that we didn't know why - random beep without obvious reason.
Our Tucson has the bog standard keyed ignition, not the button, but that DOESN'T matter - it is just a different way of operating the steering lock.
I removed the whole barrel and found nothing wrong with it. As expected.
After a bit of interrogations, discussions and tests it appears that the locking is not what it seems to be.
There is a significant difference on muscle power needed to turn the steering wheel if the car has the electric power steering assist when compered to the old hydraulic system.
When the electric power steering is "off" for a moment, it gives the fearsome feel of "lock". But it is not a lock, just lack of power.
Fix:
Behind the steering wheel, hidden behind the bottom cowl/cover, are plugs. One of them is for the steering angle sensor.
Because of presence of the airbag plug there, before touching these plugs I advise disconnecting the battery and having a coffee break.
Remove the steering angle sensor plug (google/youtube). Clean contacts, connect/disconnect several times.
Put everything back as it was, enjoy repaired car.
After above procedure the random unknown-reason beeping disappeared, and so far my wife didn't report any further locks.
Disclaimer:
I don't guarantee that the above write-up is the only cause and fix, and any problems arising from and after attempted fix are nmfp.
But I hope it will help.
People report sudden "lock", usually when the steering wheel is not-straight. Scanning for codes gives no results, and dealers are either unable to fix as the problem is rare and intermittent, or they replace the steering rack, column and F-K what else.
About 4 or so months ago my wife said she had the steering wheel locked for a moment while driving. I thought - what'ta heck she's talking about.
About two months ago the same happened on a roundabout. She ordered me to look into it.
Additional symptom that we didn't know why - random beep without obvious reason.
Our Tucson has the bog standard keyed ignition, not the button, but that DOESN'T matter - it is just a different way of operating the steering lock.
I removed the whole barrel and found nothing wrong with it. As expected.
After a bit of interrogations, discussions and tests it appears that the locking is not what it seems to be.
There is a significant difference on muscle power needed to turn the steering wheel if the car has the electric power steering assist when compered to the old hydraulic system.
When the electric power steering is "off" for a moment, it gives the fearsome feel of "lock". But it is not a lock, just lack of power.
Fix:
Behind the steering wheel, hidden behind the bottom cowl/cover, are plugs. One of them is for the steering angle sensor.
Because of presence of the airbag plug there, before touching these plugs I advise disconnecting the battery and having a coffee break.
Remove the steering angle sensor plug (google/youtube). Clean contacts, connect/disconnect several times.
Put everything back as it was, enjoy repaired car.
After above procedure the random unknown-reason beeping disappeared, and so far my wife didn't report any further locks.
Disclaimer:
I don't guarantee that the above write-up is the only cause and fix, and any problems arising from and after attempted fix are nmfp.
But I hope it will help.
