Device for locking and releasing a functionally essential component of a motor vehicle, in particular a steering column or a gear shift lever, comprising: - a housing in which: - a locking bolt is movably mounted between a locking position, in which the locking bolt can be brought into engagement with the functionally essential component, and an unlocking position, in which the locking bolt releases the functionally essential component, - a transmission, which is mechanically connected to the locking bolt, to move the locking bolt between the locking position and the unlocking position, - and a detection unit, which has a control lever for moving a signal transmitter and at least one first stationary sensor element for detecting at least one position (FS, DS) of the control lever, wherein the control lever is mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a functional position, in which the signal transmitter is located at a distance from the first sensor element, and a detection position, in which the signal transmitter is located in the detection range of the first sensor element, and wherein the transmission is in a mechanical operative connection with the control lever in order to transfer the control lever between the functional position and the detection position, characterized in that, the control lever has a securing limb which, in the functional position of the control lever, is designed to prevent unauthorized transfer of the locking bolt into the unlocking position, in particular by a positive and/or frictional connection with the locking bolt,and in that the securing limb has a locking section, wherein the locking section in the detection position of the control lever is located at a distance from the locking bolt and wherein the locking section in the functional position of the control lever secures the locking bolt in the locking position against being moved into the unlocking position, and positively and/or non-positively locks the locking bolt in an intermediate position, which lies between the locking position and the unlocking position shortly before the locking position is reached. - a housing in which: - a locking bolt is movably mounted between a locking position, in which the locking bolt can be brought into engagement with the functionally essential component, and an unlocking position, in which the locking bolt releases the functionally essential component, - a transmission, which is mechanically connected to the locking bolt, to move the locking bolt between the locking position and the unlocking position, which is mechanically connected to the locking bolt, to move the locking bolt between the locking position and the unlocking position, - and a detection unit, which has a control lever for moving a signal transmitter and at least one first stationary sensor element for detecting at least one position (FS, DS) of the control lever, wherein the control lever is mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a functional position, in which the signal transmitter is located at a distance from the first sensor element, and a detection position, in which the signal transmitter is located in the detection range of the first sensor element, and wherein the transmission is in a mechanical operative connection with the control lever in order to transfer the control lever between the functional position and the detection position, characterized in that, the control lever has a securing limb which, in the functional position of the control lever, is designed to prevent unauthorized transfer of the locking bolt into the unlocking position, in particular by a positive and/or frictional connection with the locking bolt,and in that the securing limb has a locking section, wherein the locking section in the detection position of the control lever is located at a distance from the locking bolt and wherein the locking section in the functional position of the control lever secures the locking bolt in the locking position against being moved into the unlocking position, and positively and/or non-positively locks the locking bolt in an intermediate position, which lies between the locking position and the unlocking position shortly before the locking position is reached.