DIY: 2009 - 2010 Steering Wheel Lock Fix w/ Pics!
 

Figured I would create a master DIY thread for the different steering wheel lock fixes. As most are aware, the steering lock mechanism on 2009/early 2010 models are susceptible to failure leaving the car inoperable until repaired by the dealership. If taken to the dealership, this can be upward of $500 for the fix.

fritz's thread that originally sparked the research for a non-$500 fix..
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...-optional.html

bdl99's awesome plug-and-play harness for those that would rather not cut the wire and risk voiding warranty..
http://www.the370z.com/1738578-post306.html
Steering Lock Harness - Car Kit Company

Baer383's fuse removal fix..
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...lved-real.html

rhd's thread on cutting the wire..
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...g-brownie.html


I opted for cutting the wire. Here is my DIY with pics..


Put the car in ACC (pushed start button once) and listen for the steering lock to disengage. Leave the car in ACC mode while working.

Slide the drivers seat back and place a cloth on the kick panels and one in the floorboard if you'd rather not lay your head on the dirty mats ;)

This is your view from under the steering wheel. Looking up at the lock, the top of the picture faces the front of the car.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_1336.jpg

Slide the white connector out of the steering lock mechanism.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_1339.jpg

The brown wire is the one you're after.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_1342.jpg

Snip the brown wire in half.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_1343.jpg

Rather than trying to individually wrap each wire, I pressed the harness side wire back against the group and taped it down.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_1344.jpg

Then pressed the connector side wire against the group and taped it down.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_1345.jpg

Plug the connector back into the steering lock mechanism.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_1346.jpg


No more steering lock sound or worry about being stranded! :tup:


Would love to get this thread stickied if possible. If anyone else has other information to add to this post, let me know!

Eric

finally, with good pictures. Thanks

No problem, pictures always make things easier! :tiphat:

Don't cut the wire, just remove the 10 amp fuse. I did this yesterday, took me about 10 minutes. No more worries.

my 370z helllp
 

Hello guys anyone help me, i got stranded my car wont start it would just show the key warning nothing more i dont know what to do, i saw the posts to remove the 10 amp fuse but it didnt help because the wheel is locked in the system.:confused:

thanks

Some guys have been able to temporarily unlock it by hitting the Steering Lock module. It's worth a try.

put the fuse back in and try and get it to work again.if it does,THEN remove the fuse.gl

what fuse? sorry for the noob question I haven't followed this issue too closely.

nvm I'm reading Baer383's thread now.

Solid idea.

So which is the better option? Cut the wire or removing the fuse?!?!

I like the fuse idea best. It's the most minimal, easy, cheap, and non-invasive option. Took me all of 5 minutes from the time I got my *** out of my computer chair to closing up the hood again, and it's easily reversible. No problems with it since.

Looks like I'm doing this when I get home.

so where is the fuse?? ive been reading different threads ALL day and cant find an explination. Im getting pretty frustrated, after seeing the price of a new steering lock assembly and my z has been sitting at the store ALL day. Also, are there any other sites that sell the steering lock assembly besides courtesy?
:mad:

This is probably the post you're looking for. It's a few pages down within the fuse thread, has pics of the fuse box (which is near the battery under the hood, and has a diagram on the cover that points out which is the steering lock): http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ml#post1741419

i tried hitting mine when i got stranded. after it was towed back to my house, i beat the crap outta that thing with a monkey wrench and walla, magic. it unlocked and i immediateley disabled it. so dont just give it a love tap, smash that thing like its about to steal $600 bucks from you!

When you hit it, do you hear it unlock when powered off? Or you to beat it and try every few hits to start again THEN hear it unlock?

No you need to have the ignition on when you hit it.:tup:

is this an issue anywone has experienced on a 2012? :shakes head:

2012 shouldn't have a SL

well if its locked, theres no way you have the ignition on when you hit it so i dont know what the other guy was talking about ^^^

open the door, but dont try pushing the start button. take a heavy tool like a wrench or something and smack the crap out of it about 5 good times and then put your foot in the clutch and push the start button. it should unlock. if it doesnt unlock you can get back out of the car, close the door and repeat the process. if you even get it to do anything (start or just acc) thats when you can cut the brown wire in the bundle that is plugged into the part that you where banging on. i know it sounds complicated but its worth a try to save lots of cash bro

and btw, if you do hear it unlock, it wont be while your hitting it, it will be as soon as you press the start button. and DO NOT TURN THE CAR OFF if you get it to start or unlock until you have disabled the lock in one of the two ways mentioned (pulling the fuse, or cutting brown wire)

Sorry guys, but did the 2011's have the steering lock? Mine does not seem to look like the pics I have seen.

Thanks :tiphat:

The early 2011 had them I don't know what production date they stop putting them in.

Thanks Baer. I just confirmed I do not have a steering lock :happydance:

Mine looks nothing like the one in the video below & I have no wires coming from the column to where it meets the universal joint :tup:

Build date is 8/11

That's good:tup:

I had one on my 2010 but I know dam well I don't have one on my 2013:roflpuke2:

Do I need to buy a new steering column lock if my steering wheel is locked and my ignition switched stuck as "locked"?

Yes if you can't get it to open.

I dont understand? If this is a car failure not caused by anything else other than a car failure why would you have to pay Nissan to fix something that is obvious is a car defect? I mean is not normal the car to luck just because and leave you stranded, they are not suppose to design the car like that.

So why pay? Thanks!

By "if you can't get it to open" do you mean if you can't get the pin to disengage or do you mean physically getting the box open?
Edit: Reason I ask is cause mine is currently stuck and I'm trying to do everything possible before buying a new part.

I mean taking the SL apart, if you tryed everything and still no start you can take the SL off and try to push the locking plunger back with some pliers if it doesn't move then you can try to open it and get the plunger back so it makes contact which the micro switches put it back together plug it back in and try and start it if it starts bolt the SL in and while the car is still running take the fuse out.

First thing to try is beating on the SLU - some ppl have had luck with a good whack with a fist, others have had to beat the crap out of it. Doesn't always work.
Next, try removing the SLU and push the locking pin to the fully retracted position. This may make the microswitches.
Lastly, disassemble the SLU, verify switch operation, and reassemble in fully retracted position.
If none of those three work, you will have to buy a new SLU. :(

You know I just said that right?

You must have posted about the same time I started editing. You beat me to the punch. ;)

Can the car be running when you do this? Mine recently didn't work until I beat it with a hammer but I'm scared I turn it off before doIng this. Please respond quickly

If the car is running pull the fuse and you are good.:tup:

dude it was crazy it locked up on me, so I banged the thing with a hammer pulled the wires out of the steering lock and copped the brown guys head clean off. Car works perfectly now.

I need help...
 

Guys, my steering wheel locked died on me, so now the car won't start.
Now, the "good" news is that it died with the lock disengaged, so i can actually move the steering wheel.
I saw that removing the fuse would disable the lock, so i did that. The problem is the car still won't start even though i also disconnected the battery.
Can anyone point me in the right direction here? Because i don't want to shell out 500 bucks for another steering lock that is doomed to fail anyway (car is out of warranty). And i figured since the steering lock is disengaged, might as well just disable the thing for good.

Thanks in advance!

Cutting that wire will void the warranty? I still have about 6 months of warranty left. How would the dealership ever find out unless they purposely look underneath the steering lock and undo the wire tape?

Reply to Kamus:

Almost certainly not a lock problem. Engine probably died...steering went stiff...but can now be turned.
Batt re-connected firmly should have done no real harm other than windows programming (owners manual).
Standard test procedures should reveal the problem but:
Does the starter turn the motor? Do the lights go dim? Does a batt terminal get hot after trying to start. Is batt at 12V +? Does it start by a different procedure like foot on brake in N? ....and many more ...

After that, deal with the steering lock, maybe. Harness is best and quickest, but costs a bit. Add a switch to it if car theft is a problem. You can then immobilise the car at will to reject its own or a cloned key.

Fritz