UPDATE: This trick only works for 2006+ L322's with the Jag engine. Thank you for the comments! (More info about BMW L322 bellow)
Disable Steering Column Lock - 6:07
Bypass Steering Column Module - 11:33
Video showing additional column details - • L322 ignition won't tu...
How to bypass the steering column module in your 2006-2012 Land Rover Range Rover when you cannot turn your key. This will also show you how to remove the steering column lock if your steering column has failed in the lock position.
When you cannot turn your key to start your Range Rover it is usually caused by a failure in the steering column. There is no known way to repair this part so you either need to spend $1000 to replace it with a used one that will also fail down the road, or buy a new one from Land Rover which ranges from $5000-8000+!!!!
In this video I show you how to remove the column and disable the steering lock and how to bypass the steering column module and re-wire the ignition switch into the interior lights.
This is basically a free repair that will allow you to start your L322 Range Rover when ever the interior lights are on such. Since your lights stay on for 30-60 seconds after you open the door, you will be able to start your vehicle 95% of the time without ever noticing you have changed anything.
If you sit in your truck for a while and then try to start it you will need to hit the interior switch above your head or open a door again.
The vehicle starts right up every time without having to wait 10 seconds as you normally would if you were removing fuse 18 and the lock will release when the lights dim so you will not drain your battery as you would if you simply jumpered the connector.
BMW Powered L322 (2005 and older): The system "essentially" works the same way although I think the issue revolves around the Bosch ECU. The BMW anti-theft system is famously difficult to circumnavigate. On later L322's the starting signal comes from the ignition switch. On BMW units the signal comes from the Bosch ECU after all the "starting parameters" have been met. Without an early L322 to play with I cannot give you a better workaround at this time, so here is what I can tell you to try and feel free to give me feedback.
From the service literature: "If all parameters for starting have been met, the ECM (C0331) provides a feed to the automatic transmission interlock relay (C1455) on a YN wire. If the gear selector lever is in 'Park' or 'Neutral', the interlock relay (C1455) provides a feed to the starter solenoid (C0179) on a B then BY wire. The energised starter solenoid allows the battery feed to power the starter motor."
Obviously there is a missing component blocking the ECU from commanding start. My guess would be no signal from the steering column module but without a scan tool and a truck I can't say for sure.
The Black wire coming out of the starter relay later becomes a Black/Yellow wire going into the starter motor. Try applying battery voltage to this wire while turning the key to "crank" and see if the engine will start. It will 100% crank but I don't know if the ECU will allow the injectors to fire if all the conditions are not met yet. It's worth a shot! Good luck!
And if anyone can tell me what parameters are not met when trying to start I may be able to dig a bit further.