2021 Vita 24P steering wheel doesn't lock

dhodgesnvl · 10-23-2023, 11:14 PM

Shouldn't my steering wheel lock when the ignition is off and I'm in Park?

Normally - who cares? I let my coach battery get too low. Since getting everything recharged and the codes cleared it still won't start. Everything comes on, the gauges sweep, then nothing.

I'm replacing relays tomorrow but in the mean time - what does it mean if the steering wheel doesn't lock.

**creativepart** · 10-24-2023, 08:21 AM

I don’t know about a Class C Sprinter, but my Ford chassis motorhome steering wheel doesn’t lock. So, maybe not.

When you run down a chassis battery recharging it may not be enough. It may be ruined and not hold enough charge under load. It depends on how long it sat fully discharged. I’d take the battery for a load test at one of the auto parts stores long before “replacing relays.”

Have you tried starting the RV with jumper cables? It may take some time on the jumpers to be effective enough to turn the engine over.

dhodgesnvl · 10-24-2023, 11:22 AM

Thanks creativepart. I have tried to jump and tested the battery. There is a computer sequence that checks the prerequisites to start. IE - In park, foot on brake etc. The scan shows it but doesn't tell me why the start enable is NO.

I can manipulate the relays for the starter and they turn the motor over well. It doesn't start, probably because of the fault in the pic.

Thanks for your help!

bigb · 10-24-2023, 03:19 PM

The steering wheel on my 2010 (NCV-3) Sprinter chassis locks. Not sure about the newer (VS-30) chassis.
You should however have a small battery under the driver's seat which uses fuse #32. To the best of my knowledge this battery is mostly for when the starting battery goes dead the vehicle can still be shifted out of park, and for the alarm system if equipped, but if it is dead I can see it causing a problem in not letting the PCM know everything is in order with the transmission for starting. The battery is very small like what you see in home alarm systems or older exit signs. It is AGM and should read 12.6-12.8 or so if fully charged. If that battery is dead it could be the source of your problem.
Is your chassis a 2020 or a 2021? I have Mercedes WIS/EPC software up to 2020 in which I can look up a specific vehicle by VIN as long as it is 2020 or older.

dhodgesnvl · 10-24-2023, 06:27 PM

Thanks Brian
My 2021 Vita sits on a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 3500XD. I didn't know there was a battery in there so I'm going out to find it now!
I'll let you know...

bigb · 10-24-2023, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhodgesnvl

Thanks Brian
My 2021 Vita sits on a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter 3500XD. I didn't know there was a battery in there so I'm going out to find it now!
I'll let you know...

Go here: https://sprinter-source.com/forums/i...threads/99611/ and read about it. On your VS30 it is referred to as the "emergency battery" Note the TSB in post #5 for your VS30 which says if you are disconnecting the starting battery for more than one hour you are supposed to remove fuse #32 to prevent discharging the emergency battery.

Then read post #9 which says in late 2020 and 2021 models the emergency battery got replaced with a capacitor, so depending on your date of manufacture you may or may not have the emergency battery but if you do it might be your issue. Is your chassis warranty up?

dhodgesnvl · 10-25-2023, 01:15 AM

No luck finding an auxiliary battery under the driver seat. I'll look in the battery box tomorrow.

My Vin is W1X8E33Y9LN115663

bigb · 10-25-2023, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhodgesnvl

No luck finding an auxiliary battery under the driver seat. I'll look in the battery box tomorrow.

My Vin is W1X8E33Y9LN115663

It won't be in the battery box. Did you look at the picture in the thread I linked? It can be hard to spot. I have some appts this morning but later I will plug in your VIN and see what it comes up with.

bigb · 10-25-2023, 10:10 AM

Well for whatever reason it's not finding that VIN. Go to this thread and try some of the links to get your data card/build sheet which will tell if you have the emergency battery or not. If you don't have it I'm running out of ideas.

https://sprinter-source.com/forums/i...threads/77592/

dhodgesnvl · 10-25-2023, 10:37 AM

Here's the box and my Vin pic. A public search of the Vin shows it but Mercedes sites don't. Thus is news also.

dhodgesnvl · 10-25-2023, 10:56 AM

Where the battery should have been?

bigb · 10-25-2023, 12:52 PM

It looks like you have the Voltage Converter Module which is probably a fancy name for a capacitor. The listing doesn't say Sprinter but the part number matches. I would not want you to spend money on one though without verifying that's what you need, I haven't seen reports of a no start condition when this fails, just a warning light and automatic start/stop operation. Do you have automatic start/stop?

It's odd that that Amazon is the only source I can find for US, there are plenty more on Google from other countries.

https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Conve.../dp/B085RNZ5SX

dhodgesnvl · 10-25-2023, 01:13 PM

I'd have expected the capacitor to weigh more. This this is very light.

Next I'll look for the steering lock.

Oddly, several parts in my Rv, including this one are for my MB.

paof6 · 10-29-2023, 04:40 PM

No Merc experience but 30yrs in auto & truck repair. You may already know this but fwiw the key must be out of the ignition to lock the steering wheel & may lock only once per revolution of the wheel. Both applicable on most vehicles.

Cgtrapp138 · 10-29-2023, 05:45 PM

You might want to join the FB group Winbebago Vita and Porto Owners and Wannabees. We have awesome aggregate of knowledge and sharing info.