DIY: Replace dreaded steering-lock on 2009s and early 2010s.

happytheman · 04-21-2012, 07:43 PM

Yah, I'm still under warranty. I'm thinking I might ask my tech about just getting me the part so I can replace it myself, but not so sure how I'd work out the whole loaner bit if I don't take her in? My Z is my DD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZForce

Under warranty -happytheman? Versa time, hopefully back up -n running in a couple of days.

I fear that I may be z-less for a week or two.

happytheman · 04-21-2012, 09:55 PM

I'm a bit skeered to snip wires in my car.

GaleForce · 04-21-2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhd

If it is not locked, could you try this?...

Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional

Quote:

Originally Posted by happytheman

I'm a bit skeered to snip wires in my car.

I wouldn't touch it, since its covered under warranty.

Out of warranty, then cut away

happytheman · 04-21-2012, 11:19 PM

Yup, I was already thinking the same thing.

MyZ4U2C · 04-21-2012, 11:25 PM

as soon as someone dives in and confirms it, that brown wire is getting cut!!

happytheman · 04-23-2012, 01:14 PM

Hey guys. Looks like my tech diagnosed me with a dead battery.

Battery has been replaced and the Z is starting like a champ.

Here's a run down on what happened:

Pushed start button
Instrument panel flickered all lights for two to three seconds
Heard a whine sound
All instrument panel lights went out except the icon with the car & key symbol
Lock light in start button slowly flashed (every four secs or so) until battery was dead

Does this sound at all like the symptoms of the Steering Lock assembly going bad?

kenchan · 04-23-2012, 01:33 PM

happy- i think you can still get to accessory and on (without engine start) so it could be just a bad battery... not sure though.

which rev does your car have?

ChrisSlicks · 04-23-2012, 02:06 PM

Dead battery has similar symptoms. If the BCM/IPDM isn't getting at least 12V it will do strange things.

happytheman · 04-23-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

happy- i think you can still get to accessory and on (without engine start) so it could be just a bad battery... not sure though.

which rev does your car have?

Well, if it's just a dead battery then that's good and bad. Perhaps it's still just a matter of time.

I'll check, but considering its an '09, it's prob Rev A.

onzedge · 04-23-2012, 09:04 PM

When my lock failed, the start button did nothing. No Acc, no nothing.

Tino2fasT · 04-29-2012, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

When my lock failed, the start button did nothing. No Acc, no nothing.

When mine failed, the LOCK position was the only one that lit up on the start button. Would not go to Acc or On.

Dwight Frye · 05-14-2012, 06:01 PM

Something I have observed about the lock has led me to a theory regarding the failure. Do you ever notice some "kickback" to the wheel when the lock unlocks ? Like if the wheel is turned slightly when it was locked ?
My thoughts are that maybe this stresses the worm gear or other parts in the lock that fail. While waiting for my warranty to expire and/or adding the lock bypass harness or cutting the wire, I am going to try and be cognizant of not having the wheel turned in such a way that there is pressure on the lock mechanism from the steering gear when it cycles.

ChrisSlicks · 05-14-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Frye

Something I have observed about the lock has led me to a theory regarding the failure. Do you ever notice some "kickback" to the wheel when the lock unlocks ? Like if the wheel is turned slightly when it was locked ?
My thoughts are that maybe this stresses the worm gear or other parts in the lock that fail. While waiting for my warranty to expire and/or adding the lock bypass harness or cutting the wire, I am going to try and be cognizant of not having the wheel turned in such a way that there is pressure on the lock mechanism from the steering gear when it cycles.

A couple of the early failures were people parked flat and level at a gas station, so there should have been zero stress on the steering. Over time though it might have additional stress that could be significant.

happytheman · 04-23-2012, 09:10 PM

Man, I shoulda just listed my symptoms before jumping to conclusions. Coulda saved myself a bit of grief.

GaleForce · 04-23-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happytheman

Man, I shoulda just listed my symptoms before jumping to conclusions. Coulda saved myself a bit of grief.

Oh well, live and learn, poop happens. You're back in business now right?

04-21-2012, 09:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1824	I'm a bit skeered to snip wires in my car. __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

04-21-2012, 11:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1824	Yup, I was already thinking the same thing. __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

04-23-2012, 01:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1824	Hey guys. Looks like my tech diagnosed me with a dead battery. Battery has been replaced and the Z is starting like a champ. Here's a run down on what happened: Pushed start button Instrument panel flickered all lights for two to three seconds Heard a whine sound All instrument panel lights went out except the icon with the car & key symbol Lock light in start button slowly flashed (every four secs or so) until battery was dead Does this sound at all like the symptoms of the Steering Lock assembly going bad? __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

04-23-2012, 02:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 655	Dead battery has similar symptoms. If the BCM/IPDM isn't getting at least 12V it will do strange things. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

04-23-2012, 09:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 65 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684738	When my lock failed, the start button did nothing. No Acc, no nothing. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

04-21-2012, 11:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
MyZ4U2C Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 448 Drives: 40th Z #51, 15 FozXT Rep Power: 556	as soon as someone dives in and confirms it, that brown wire is getting cut!!

04-23-2012, 01:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141522	happy- i think you can still get to accessory and on (without engine start) so it could be just a bad battery... not sure though. which rev does your car have?

05-14-2012, 06:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
Dwight Frye Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Occupied California Posts: 423 Drives: '09 Tour/Sport/6MT Rep Power: 17	Something I have observed about the lock has led me to a theory regarding the failure. Do you ever notice some "kickback" to the wheel when the lock unlocks ? Like if the wheel is turned slightly when it was locked ? My thoughts are that maybe this stresses the worm gear or other parts in the lock that fail. While waiting for my warranty to expire and/or adding the lock bypass harness or cutting the wire, I am going to try and be cognizant of not having the wheel turned in such a way that there is pressure on the lock mechanism from the steering gear when it cycles.

04-23-2012, 09:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
happytheman A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 10,737 Drives: MB 6M Tour/Sport Z34 Rep Power: 1824	Man, I shoulda just listed my symptoms before jumping to conclusions. Coulda saved myself a bit of grief. __________________ --Brantly-- *PowderCoating by Mike/Stillen/PWJDM/Shine Auto/NST* GTR/Michelin /Fast Intentions/Evo-R/Mobil 1/Motul/Z1 https://facebook.com/CentralFloridaZClub

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