Steering Column Lock Defective; Cure?

[apv]

Dear all, although I'm a noob to the forum, I've had a Passat for about 4 years and if it wasn't for the usual niggles I'd be very happy (curse you injectors!). Anyway, to use IT language, I had the blue screen of death and nothing would happen when I put the key in the ignition. The warning light said 'steering column lock defective' and a scour of the forums led me here and a potential bill for £1,000 to replace the whole column!. I booked it into Synters (Huddersfield) this morning who had the usual intake of breath and wouldn't commit (nor would they say that this appears to be a common fault). To get an alternative spin on it, I phoned Independent Volkswagen Specialists (also of Huddersfield) who were very friendly and helpful and said they knew the problem and it wasn't a dealer only fix and it would probably be £325 (depending on the diagnostics of course). To cut a long story short, I phoned AA for a Homestart who arrived within the hour, diconnected the battery, reconnected and it started first time! I now have a 10mm spanner in the glovebox just in case but well done to the AA! He said it was a common fault and modern cars are like computers and sometimes just needed a reboot. So, to continue the IT metaphor, have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again? Might be worth a try if it happens (and I could probably do with a new battery now that winter is upon us)