Steering column noise - steering lock?

[jonah]

Hi all, I have an unusual noise coming from my steering column on startup and exit, and I wonder if I'm the only one.

When the vehicle is started, the moment before the starter motor is engaged, there is a sound from the steering column. It sounds like the steering lock disengaging, can anyone confirm this? The same sound is heard when the car is turned off and any door is opened. Steering lock reengaging?

This noise itself is not the problem. My Genesis used to make a nice, normal sound when the ?lock? would engage. Now it sounds like a deamon is trying to come out of the dash. When the vehicle is cold soaked it's even worse. The godawful noise is of the same duration as the original, proper, sound, but now it's louder and horrible. It sound like the gears are stripped or somethings not aligned right anymore. Whats really weird is sometimes, rarely, it still sounds normal.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[PINGGOLF]

I do...but not at the level you are.

As soon as you push the start button the steering column will unlock. When you turn the car off the column will lift and as soon as you open the drivers side door you will hear it lock again.

Not sure why but I do know that the steering columns are HEAVY! We had to replace a turn signal switch on dad's ole Crown Vic. The column left bruises in my lap from holding it in place while dad changed the switch out. It may be a safety feature in case it were to fall in your lap...not sure though.

 

[gentecv8]

I hear a noise of the steering locking when I open the door. To be honest, I have not noticed (or paid enough attention) when I start the engine. In any case, the sound is quite "normal" for my ears.

 

[jonah]

Thanks for the replys guys, i think it has to be stripped gears or a misalighnment in the lock. I'll take it in and see what the dealer says, report back.

I wonder why it would be designed this way, i don't know of any other cars that use this method...

 

[pm1234]

Om my G35 It goes to the setting of your keyfob once you start up the car and once you turn off the engine and the seat goes all the way to the back and the column goes up for easy exit. It is quite don't hear anything but a little motor noise.