What does it mean?
B1989 is a Body (airbags, seat belts, body electronics) fault code. It indicates: Electric Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Ground Short Circuit To Battery .
Symptoms
- Engine will not start and a steering lock or key related message appears
- Steering wheel stays locked, or fails to lock when the vehicle is switched off
- Start button has to be pressed several times before anything happens
- Immobiliser or security indicator flashing
- Vehicle sometimes starts after moving the steering wheel, which is typical of a marginal lock circuit
Likely causes
- Chafed wiring under the steering column where the loom moves with tilt and telescope adjustment
- Water running down the column or through the bulkhead into the lock connector
- Wiring damage from column, ignition switch or lower dash work
- Ground wire crushed against a live feed inside a taped loom section
- Internal fault in the steering column lock actuator bridging its supply to the ground pin
- Corroded body ground point for the lock circuit
- Driver failure inside the control unit that operates the lock
How to fix it
- Read the codes in the body and immobiliser systems, then check whether the lock reports its position correctly in live data
- Disconnect the steering column lock and measure its ground wire for battery voltage, voltage still present means an external short
- Check the resistance and voltage drop of the lock ground path to the body once the short is cleared
- Inspect the loom under the column while working the tilt and telescope adjustment through full travel
- Look for water tracks, corrosion and green terminals in the lock connector
- Repair the shorted section of harness and clean or renew the ground point
- Replace the steering column lock unit only when its internal short is proved, then clear the codes and confirm the lock releases and applies correctly