Passat 3C, car won't unlock

Hello!

On my wife's car, a Passat 3C, manufactured in 2008, with a 140 horsepower engine and station wagon body style, the problem occasionally occurs that the car, which was previously locked, can no longer be opened with the remote key fob.

The emergency key doesn't usually work either, unless you fiddle with it for a while, pulling the buckle and turning the key at the same time – repeatedly – until it eventually works.

The car scan performed with VCDS revealed a relevant error (see attached file) - 02823: Locking condition for ELV not met.

I'm guessing it's a faulty steering lock. What do you think?

Manuel.

Hi.

Is there no error message displayed on the door lock? Is only one door not responding to the remote control, or are all the doors on the vehicle affected? Is the opening signal even being detected? -> Observe the turn signal.

Best regards, Rainer.

Does it start up as usual?

There are several search results on Google that, when encountering this error, suggest a faulty locking mechanism. Then, it will be necessary to replace the steering column, including the electronics.

Hello!

Is there no error entry in the door lock?


No.

Does only one door no longer respond to the remote control, or do all the doors on the vehicle?



All doors are affected.

Is the opening signal even recognized? -> Observe the turn signal.


Yes, it will.


Does it start up as usual?

Yes.

Then, the replacement of the steering column, including the electronics, will be necessary.

Unfortunately, I also found that after doing some research.
The microswitches in the control unit on the steering column are likely to fail frequently.

Greetings.
Manuel.

Quote:

Generally, the emergency key doesn't work either, unless you fiddle with it for a while, pulling the buckle and turning the key at the same time - doing that repeatedly until it eventually works.

I think you have two problems.

1. The lock itself should always be able to be opened with a key.

2. The function of the remote control... possibly. Steering column or the...
Remote control itself.

Do you have a second key? If so, try it out in case of an error.

I had the same problem with the remote control... but the spare key worked.

"I've also been getting the error message from the steering wheel control unit for a long time, at regular intervals... but it hasn't had any noticeable effects so far."

First, you should make sure the lock functions mechanically in case of an emergency.