Steering column lock (ELV) and Mercedes EZS ignition switch
Locked steering wheel, "steering lock faulty" message, key that will not turn: steering lock repair and EZS cloning.
When the electric steering column lock (ESL or ELV) or the electronic ignition switch of a Mercedes (EZS) fails, the car will not start: locked steering wheel, "steering lock faulty" message, key that will not turn or is not recognised. Incarline repairs Renault, Fiat, Jeep and Audi steering column locks, and clones Mercedes EZS units onto a healthy unit.
Send us the removed part: our workshop in Lodève (Hérault, France) processes it within 48 to 72 hours of receipt.
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Steering column lock: repairing the original part
The electric column lock locks the steering when the car is parked and releases it at start-up. Over time its motor or electronics wear out until it refuses to unlock: the car can no longer be started. We repair your original lock. Since it is your own part, it stays paired with the car.
- Renault with hands-free card: Laguna II and III, Mégane II, Scénic II, Espace IV, Vel Satis, Trafic II and Master II;
- Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade;
- Audi: A6, A8 and Q7 (ELV).
Mercedes EZS: cloning onto a healthy unit
The EZS (Elektronisches Zündschloss, module N73) replaced the mechanical steering lock on most Mercedes models from 1997. It reads the key, authorises starting and communicates with the engine ECU. We do not repair the EZS component by component: we transfer its data (pairing with the engine ECU, key coding, VIN) to a healthy EZS with the same part number. Your original keys keep working, and no Mercedes dealer visit is needed.
Models covered: C-Class, E-Class, CLK, CLS, Sprinter, S-Class W221 and CL W216, and more generally Mercedes models fitted with an EZS.
Symptoms
- locked steering wheel, steering that will not unlock;
- "steering lock faulty" message on the dashboard;
- key that no longer turns in the ignition switch, or is not recognised (Mercedes);
- car refuses to start although the battery is charged.
What to send us
The steering column lock removed from the car. For a Mercedes, the removed EZS with one of the car's keys: we need it to test the pairing after the job. For EZS cloning, include a donor EZS with exactly the same part number.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we receive most often.
- It is the most common cause on the models concerned, especially with a "steering lock faulty" message. A weak battery can cause similar symptoms: check it first.
Can't find your case?
Tell us about your car and the fault: we reply within 24 working hours.
Updated on 1 October 2026