Your steering lock unit is going to die. Just question of time when you will not be able to start.. I can fix it or even completely deactivate the unit by emulator. Here is my video about:

 

Thank you Drummerjjik09 I had the same problem "Please take load off steering" on my Audi A8 D3 2003 and I have solved it in the same way you explained, but with a little help of VCDS interface. I'll explain here my steps maybe someone will encounter the same issue as I did.

Audi A8 D3 Problem: No power whatsoever in the car when inserting the key, no clicks to unlock the wheel, nothing. When inserting the key for the first time, a short message appear on the small display on board, saying: "Please take load off steering" and then everything goes dark, no power, nothing.
When I was opening the VCDS module 05-Acc/Start-Auth, I was getting the following error displayed:
02510 - Steering Column Adjustment
014 - Defective
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101110
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 71
Reset counter: 159


Background: I didn't use the car for more than one month so I had my car battery depleted. I have recharged my car battery, put it in place in the trunk. Usually, when you encounter Audi A8 battery problems, after you recharge the battery, you need to reset the errors from the module 05-Acc/Start-Auth. Once I reset the active error, another one appearing, so when I was inserting the key into the ignition, same problem appearing: 1 second I was receiving the above message on the small display and then total blackout. No power at all for anything on the car. Then, I had to reset again the error on module module 05-Acc/Start-Auth.

Solution:
1) Get the laptop connected to the car through the VCDS and the module 05-Acc/Start-Auth opened all times on the Reset Errors window.
2) After resetting the errors, Insert the key into the ignition. Don't turn it, just slide it in and leave it there.
3) You should hear a click from the ignition and the steering column in general, sounding like the "click" heard normally before starting the car when putting the keys in. The steering wheel will turn on its own back a little bit. The "please take load off steering" will be displayed for 1 second, then, total blackout.
4) Push the brake pedal down as hard as you can.
5) Grab the steering wheel with both hands in preparation to turn it. The steering wheel will only turn one direction, for me went clockwise. That's the direction you'll go.
6) With the brake pedal depressed, turn the steering wheel as hard as you can clockwise for like 180 degrees. You will not hear a clicking sound at the end (some do hear a sound, on my case I didn't hear any sounds whatsoever as I didn't have any power on board). When you get there, stop turning it.
7) Release the brake pedal and remove the key from the ignition. Nothing will happen now, you won't hear any sound whatsoever.
8) Look at the laptop and remember from step 1) that you have the VCDS and the module 05-Acc/Start-Auth opened all times on the Reset Errors window. Click on the "Clear all errors" button. You will receive a message that all errors were cleared.
9) Press the brake again and repeat turning the steering wheel in the direction you were turning before, clockwise, another 180 degrees, ending at the same position you ended on step 5) that's a complete turn, like 360 degrees.
10) Remove the keys again and re-insert. (if no click is heard and no wheel short movement is heard, go to the laptop again, to VCDS and the module 05-Acc/Start-Auth opened all times on the Reset Errors window. Click on the "Clear all errors" button again). Then reinsert the key again into ignition and you should be fine.
11) The whole system should turn on as you are normally used to. Everything should be fixed now and the power should be restored in the entire car.


Obs: It didn't worked out for me from the first attempt!! I firstly tried to turn the wheel anti-clockwise, but nothing happened. Then I tried again clockwise, still nothing happened.
I tried like 5 times until I got the desired result, so don't despair! Try again!

Thanks again to Drummerjjik09 for this neat solution!!

 

It just happened to my audi a6 quattro and use this method it worked! several things to highlight or call out for helping others coming across this issue.
1. in my case there is no error code in VCDS not error code to clear out.
2. I turned the wheel both to the right side and left side many times . you can see the wheel turn all the way to the right or left . it was very hard to turn but don't be afraid. you can turn all the way to the end until it can not go further. first day I tried this it didn't work.
3. the next day I wanted to give it another try after almost giving up and about to tow it to dealer. I jacked up the front wheels so it does not rub on the floor when I turn the wheels. I tried both the right side and the left side all the way cycle again. then wola! in a sudden . it got unlocked! power is back on! I recall it happened when I turn the steering wheel back to the straight position.
4. after it get unlocked. in order for it not to come back locked again. you want to follow this video to cut the red-black wire (one of the three wires to the steering wheel column lock actuator) . youtube video " How to Prevent or Fix the Steering Wheel Column Lock Actuator Issue on an Audi A6 / Q7 (DIY Repair)" on you tube".
(disclaimer try this at your own risk.) I did this immediately.
thanks for the original post. and thanks for the above posts stating
“I tried like 5 times until I got the desired result, so don't despair! Try again!”
"If, for whatever reason, it still doesn't turn on, it's probably because you haven't turned the steering wheel far enough. You can never go wrong with turning the steering wheel farther than it needs to go."