DIY: Steering Wheel Lock Failure FIX!
 

So, I picked up my car from STADIUM NISSAN after they said the SLU has been replaced under warranty. I started the car, the "intelligent key light" is now ON wtf? When I turned off the car, the steering lock doesn't lock. I wonder if they didn't put the fuse back in. :confused:



Update:

The mechanic turned off the Intelligent Key Light with his computer. When I asked him about the fuse, he said he didn't bother to check the fuse :facepalm:
Got home, turned of the car, a couple hours later, I started the car, the IKL is ON again :facepalm: now I am thinking maybe I should put the fuse back on, go back to the dealer and have them fix it, again... :ugh:

Testing backup Steering Lock Unit
 

Hi everybody,

I am a (currently sad) french owner of a G37 Infiniti, equiped by the same (un)famous unit as the GTR & 370 (48700JF00A) and, of course, it's faulty and my car doesn't start.
There is no recall, unfortunately, by Infiniti.

I've already read tons of threads. Tapping/hitting doesn't help. And I don't want to open and rebuild it for the moment because it's quite complex...

So I bought the SL unit of a used crashed 370z (a D version).

But before installing it on the column, in order to confirm the defect, I just connected the unit, hanging to the wire. The car started, I was happy.
And when I turned ignition off, the lock went out, seems ok.

=>The trouble is now that the lock refuses to withdraw again, preventing from starting again. It seems that the unit has inhibited itself, due to the lack of physical constraints by the column.


Am I right? Or can you see another reason? How to restore it in unlocked position?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Best Regard,

Phil.

Hi,

Interesting that the Infinitis have the same lock.
No, the lock will not have “inhibited itself due to lack of physical restraints”. (Said with confidence from numerous tests with the lock, in various states, hanging from the column, to get an answer.)

Maybe you touched that one external screw…and it is absolutely NOT resettable and clever too!

Go back in these posts to mine of around Feb to March 2012. The post was … er…poohed….but there

is a way to operate without the lock, using an “eyeglass case” (search for that) for the electronics
which you have to take out of the lock. …There’s later ones for a lock rebuild.

Your lock now probably has the projection/plunger extended (locked position) which can be pushed in against a spring. When retracted, not against the spring, it sits flush with the unit.

a)Message me with your e-mail address as I’m not on this very often and we can “do it” you may be near enough…(I have a working butchered version) and I’ll dig back my records and --- or
Send me your original unit and, no charge, I’ll fix it…..probably.
b) This (excellent!) site has the Technical Service Bulletins (“TSBs”) from Nissan re their first “voluntary recall” on GTRs in March 2010 …. And their second for GTRs but including 370Z in March 2013….both for that infamous 48700 part.
……..Show that to the Infiniti folk…if you are still under warranty….and even if not.
Once one can get past all the “no” bureaucrats, Nissan can be helpful. Infiniti should kow-tow!
c) If you are only concerned with an instrument warning light,…when all is OK just dis the battery neg for a minute which works for a 370Z ….but you have to read the owners manual to stop the windows
misbehaving thereafter.

My guess is you have innocently put a tool near that solitary screw…and that’s screwed it!

Best regards,

Fritz

Thanks for your answer and your time for me.

So my backup SLU should work hanging by the wire from the column. If it doesn't, I see three possible reasons:
1) the SLU is faulty too and I am very very unlucky. Let's say possible but not very probable (it's a D version)
2) I touched the "external screw". Q1)Which one ? How does it work? I see only the two "self breaking" screws to fix it on the column.
3) the fault doesn't comes from the SLU itselft but from the upper module (IPDM/BCM) which doesn't give to right signal to unlock. It could explain why tapping the module is vain. I'm building an home made harness to analyse the signal (of course, I don't have a consult III interface, not yet). It will be ready tomorrow but Q2) have you all heard of similar symptoms NOT caused by the SLU? I am interressed in your feedback.

I read your different threads. Very interesting of course. But I want at this stage a "soft" workaround:
1) to confirm the SLU is faulty. In this case, I'm ready to prosecute Infiniti if they refuse any warranty. What I read, (including the fact that Nissan explains in its NTB there is an inherent defect) should be relevant arguments (your b) point)... But this is for later and not my current purpose.
2) to be able to drive 250km to the dealer and avoid tow cost. My SLU is blocked in a "in between position" that is the wheel is unblock but not enough so the sensor doesn't give signal to allow BCM to start. Unless Q3) you tell me it's to dangerous to drive with the lock threatening to lock at any time. Whatever you think, I'll do it at my own risk, off course

So I don't want to destroy my original SLU. Besides, opposite to the 370z, replacing the SLU requires to uninstall the
column (it's located in the upper part...) and to complex for me for a DYI.
However, I'm ready to rebuild and sacrify my backup SLU, if I am 100% convinced why it doesn't work anymore (see Q1). It has indeed a spring, when I push it, it retracts but comes out when I released it.

I sent you an email, a few days ago. Please check if it's not in the spam folder.

Best regards,
Phil

PS: regarding your c) point, I didn't read the manual... The windows is completly down and the car outside. So I cut up a plexyglass piece and it's no more a problem.

after removing the fuze.... should we replace with a new fuze or just leave blank?
thanks.

Leave it blank. Verify that the steering column is free and the car will start and then put everything back together.

Thank You :driving:

Thank you!!

New to the forum and recently purchased my first Z. Is this steering wheel lock thing still an issue with 2015? Thinking I should go ahead and pull the fuse anyway...

From what I understand, they stopped using the steering lock with the 2012 model year, so you shouldn't have it at all. The way to verify is just by getting in your car and starting it up. If you have the steering lock it should disengage audibly and your steering wheel should "jiggle" a little. You shouldn't see/hear that, though, as your model year doesn't have a steering lock.

After removing the fuze, can I also remove the steering lock it self too? or this will throw cel?

Just to verify, I have no issue, but just to ensure that I don't run into this, I can just pull this fuse and be done with it correct?

u want to pull it while the car is in the ON position (engine can be off).

Ok thanks.

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/9528/ZLxUga.jpg

Ok pulling the fuse was one of the first things I did with my Z - about at the end of last year - my key light came on - but it never locked up, and even now it's fine - crossing my fingers as well.

Changed battery's in the fob's and also pluged into the Key vagina lol. Still the key light is still on...

But how do I get the keylight on the dash to go away?