Can you start the treg and the wheel is still locked? I know you said you can put the key in and stuff turns on, but you should be able to press down on brake (perhaps further down than usual) and start it to unlock the wheel.

 

I sat in the car and went ape **** the first night it happened, tried everything I could think of before taking off the pos. lead on the battery.

I had the brake pedal down as far as it would go, for close to a minute. I turned the wheel slowly, fast, right, left, etc., to the point where I thought I was going to mess the column up, haha.

it hasn't happened at all sitting in the garage, or even sitting on an incline in snow. it doesn't have snows on it either, so, sitting on uneven ice with no friction from all-seasons might be playing a factor. it started fine all day yesterday, started fine this morning, and a few mins ago when I went to go get gas.

 

I am not sure that your theory about parking on ice hold much weight to be honest. I live close to the Arctic Circle in Northern Sweden and we have 5 months of ice and snow each year. I have never seen a car or my Treg move enough whilst parked on ice to lock the steering wheel or cause any issues.
You're issue is electronic and not mechanical. THe fact that disconnecting the battery releases the steering lock proves this. DO a Vag scan to see what module is causing issues.

 

I wonder if the battery is going bad again. I'm sure telling the dealership the car won't start unless I disconnect the battery would be enough reason for them to pull it into the bay to scan it with VAG. I mean, the battery/KESSY/rear strut were put in in November at the dealership, and I'm sure the parts themselves have some type of warranty.

 

+1
Yep, a dying battery can create all sorts of gremlins. The fact that it is only happening on some occasions means that a vag sweep should help narrow it down.
Were there any warning lamps present when this happened?

 

Sounds like the battery or perhaps you got the wrong KESSY module. They're VIN-specific, something a lot of dealers don't know evidently. The wrong KESSY often works, but exhibits this behavior. My '05 V8 has had too many KESSY modules and new steering columns to count. VW got it sorted and its been flawless for about a year now.

 

MAN! My car sat at the VW dealership for a month-and-a-half getting all this stuff done to it. I was in a brand new loaner Mazda 3 with skyactiv the whole time getting all the MPGs, but none of the smiles per gallon. looks like that may be my car again for a while, haha.

I know they replaced the battery the first time the car wouldn't start 2 weeks after buying it. then, a month later, I told the dealership, after much help and research from here (YES!), that the KESSY was probably the issue. sure enough, it was. so, a new battery again went in.

I do know I had to change both key batteries within 2 weeks of having the car back. they needed them both to reprogram them with the KESSY.

 

You really need to buy VCDS and do your own scans if you are going to own a Touareg. In this case I would verify the locking solenoid.

 

I may get it, but, I was planning on putting the car up for sale come spring time. I'm moving to Texas at the end of summer, and have no use for the Touareg anymore.

 

just called the dealership, and they informed me when the car was in there the first time, the battery was replaced. a month later when it returned, the access module, FRONT strut, and some type of relay were replaced.

he said the relay that was replaced was due to a "clicking" noise coming from the dash. now, when the car starts after messing with the battery, this "clicking" noise can be heard a good amount. I kind of forgot about the noise until he mentioned that it was doing it while they had it.

I'll take it over there Monday morning and see what the issue is. they seemed really apt to help, and were very sympathetic in regards to the car not starting, again. hopefully, it's nothing crazy, and doesn't cost me anything, hah.

 

Even if your next car isn't a VW you'll be able to include the VagCom WITH the sale of your Touareg - it should help make the sale easier if it's included.

 

I'd go back to an Audi as a DD if anything, so VAGcom will be a good addition. I'm just not sure if I'll buy it this instant.

I'll see what the dealership says Monday. I don't want to sell the car knowing anything was wrong with it. this is for the birds, I couldn't imagine someone giving me a check and then not have the car start the first time they stopped for gas.

 

Give them a full tank to send them on their way!

 

Hi, what was the outcome/repair for this case?. My Treg is doing exactly the same!