My neighbors daughter is traveling in upper New England and just phoned home to say that she had a warning light come on which looks like a steering wheel with a padlock on it. This is on an '07 Cooper automatic. I've done some searching but I haven't yet found the significance of this light, what it means, and what she should do about it. The dealers service departments are are all now closed for the weekend and she needs to get from Burlington Vermont to Portland Maine on Monday. Do any of you know what this light signifies, why it came on, and weather or not it's okay for her to continue to drive the car prior to taking it in for service to have it checked out? If any of you have an owners manual handy, or have experienced this issue, I would appreciate hearing about this light.

 

My 07 manual says:

Lights up in red:
Electric steering wheel lock malfunc- tioning

The engine can no longer be started. If applicable, do not switch off the engine. Contact your MINI Dealer.

Lights up in yellow: Electric steering wheel lock engaged

Move the steering wheel before start- ing the engine.

 

Or...if the Display shows an Exclamation Mark to the Right of the Steering Wheel it means that the Power Steering has failed.
"You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and excerise due caution. Steering response will be markedly different. Have the system checked without delay."
Quoted from the 2008 Owner's Manual for MINI and MINI Clubman.

 

This happened to me when I had my coasting in neutral and the engine was off (start/stop function)... Pressed the clutch causing the engine to start and warning disappeared.