BMW and Mini CAS3 ELV Off Dump: E90, E60, X1 E84 and R56 Steering Lock Fault Fix

The customer turns the key, the dash shows a yellow steering lock symbol with a message about the steering lock, and nothing cranks. On an E90 320d or an E60 520d that’s usually the ELV (electronic steering column lock) refusing to report itself as released, so the CAS3 refuses to switch terminal 15 and terminal 50. The wheel may even be physically free. The CAS still won’t play. Fault codes sit in the A0B4 to A0B7 range on most versions, sometimes with A0AA for lost ELV communication.

What ELV off actually changes

An ELV off file is a modified CAS3 EEPROM/flash dump in which the CAS no longer waits for the lock to answer. The CAS treats the steering lock as permanently released and moves on to key authorisation and starter release. The ELV itself is either left in place with its plug disconnected, or removed. Either way the mechanical lock pin must be in the released position before you do this, otherwise the wheel stays locked and the modified CAS won’t help you.

It does not touch the ISN. The DME/DDE and the CAS keep their synchronisation, your existing keys keep working, and the mileage stored in the CAS stays as it was. It’s a narrow change, which is why it’s popular.

Which cars have this problem

• BMW 3 Series E90/E91/E92 (2005-2012), 1 Series E87/E81
• BMW 5 Series E60/E61, X5 E70, X6 E71, X1 E84, Z4 E89
• Mini R56, R55, R57, R60 Countryman (CAS3 with ELV from about 2007)

Not every car in that list has an ELV. Early E90s with a mechanical ignition lock don’t, and cars with a start button and Comfort Access are the ones that suffer most. Check whether there’s a motorised lock body on the column before ordering anything.

CAS3 dumps we carry

These are listed under the module number printed on the CAS label (61.35 prefix). A few from the catalogue:

• BMW 335I E90 CAS3 6135 6943835-01 DUMP
• BMW 520D E60 CAS3 6135 9147222-01 5WK4 9514XBR DUMP
• BMW X1 E84 CAS3 6135 9287534-01 5WK4 9516PBR DUMP
• BMW X5 E70 CAS3 6135 9389116-01 DUMP and BMW X5 E70 CAS3 6135 9278746-01 DUMP
• MINI COOPER R60 CAS3 61.35-9267609-01 DUMP

Send us your own read and we return the same dump with ELV off, so the key data, ISN and odometer stay yours. A stock dump from the list is for the cases where your CAS is corrupted and you need a working base to rebuild from.

Reading the CAS3

CAS3 uses a Freescale 9S12 MCU (0L01Y on CAS3, 0L15Y on CAS3+). The data lives in the MCU’s internal EEPROM and flash, so a plain SPI programmer won’t do it. Workable routes:

1. Bench with XProg, Orange5, AVDI or Autohex on the BDM pads under the board. Take the CAS out, probe the pads, read both EEPROM and flash. Save both.
2. OBD with Autohex, AVDI or ACDP on unencrypted CAS3/CAS3+. If the CAS has been updated by ISTA-P to an encrypted version, most OBD routes stall and you’re back to bench.

CAS3+ encrypted units are the ones to watch. If the tool reports the ISN as unreadable, don’t force it; read on the bench and tell us the CAS was flagged encrypted.

When the dump won’t fix it

ELV off solves a CAS that’s healthy but stuck on a bad lock signal. It does nothing for these:

• The lock pin is physically jammed. You still have to get it released, by hand or by fitting a dummy lock body.
• The CAS itself has no communication on the bus. That’s a CAS fault or wiring, not an ELV fault.
• The ELV has hit its internal lock counter and the customer wants the lock kept. Then the proper route is a new ELV coded with ISTA-P, a dealer-level job.
• Battery voltage. A tired battery on an E90 throws ELV codes that vanish after a charge. Check this before you take the CAS out.

Be upfront with the customer as well. The steering lock is an anti-theft device, and some inspection regimes and insurers care that it’s been removed. Note it on the invoice.

To get the file, send your CAS3 EEPROM and flash read plus the label number through the request form, or browse the CAS3 model page and the EWS/CAS category. More BMW and Mini modules are under the BMW brand page.