DIY: Steering Wheel Lock Failure FIX!

hrtbrknprince · 01-09-2018, 02:58 PM

Question. My car is fine but I want to remove the fuse as a precaution. Its a 2014 model. Nissan dealer says there isn't a TSB for my car but since the car hasn't changed that much I figure I'll take the precaution and remove it..

Since my car is fine at the moment can I just remove the fuse? I don't have to get a hammer or put it in ACC mode right?

I can just do it with the car off correct?

Jayhovah · 01-09-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrtbrknprince

Question. My car is fine but I want to remove the fuse as a precaution. Its a 2014 model. Nissan dealer says there isn't a TSB for my car but since the car hasn't changed that much I figure I'll take the precaution and remove it..

Since my car is fine at the moment can I just remove the fuse? I don't have to get a hammer or put it in ACC mode right?

I can just do it with the car off correct?

I think they stopped putting the steering lock in for 2011 or 2012 models so you shouldn't have one.

WPN370 · 03-16-2018, 10:51 PM

So went to leave for work this morning and nothing just that damn key light.

Tapped it a few times and pulled the fuse now it’s perfect! Thanks for the good right up this was a life saver! 👌👌

sportsman2003 · 05-12-2020, 08:59 AM

I keep reading about cutting the brown wire but can’t seem to find that post or thread. I am the proud owner of a new to me 2010 Z and would like to prevent this happening to me.

JARblue · 05-12-2020, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportsman2003

I keep reading about cutting the brown wire but can’t seem to find that post or thread. I am the proud owner of a new to me 2010 Z and would like to prevent this happening to me.

Click the link in SouthArk's signature two posts up from yours

sportsman2003 · 05-12-2020, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

Click the link in SouthArk's signature two posts up from yours

Got it. Thanks for your help!

filip00 · 07-09-2021, 03:13 PM

After reading a lot about the dreaded steering wheel lock, I've decided to try the preventative measure of removing the fuse. I've read this thread (as well as others) and I'm glad to say it worked!

So just to summarize:
1. my steering wheel lock always worked fine
2. my car is 2009, all original, with 10k miles, so probably it was just a matter of time when it will seize
3. I put the car in ACC, opened the fuse box and pulled the steering wheel lock fuse out
4. problem solved, wheel lock removed.

....5. I use disklok for added theft security on the car, so I'm really not worried about the steering wheel lock.

Thank you for the free fix!

Ryfrybell · 04-25-2023, 10:06 PM

Mine failed today on my 2011 Nismo with only 16k miles on the odometer. Crazy that this fails so soon. Would have saved me a lot of time if I found this forum before it failed! Still saved me from towing the thing!!

Key light was on the dash and could not advance to ACC. Kept the ground wire jumped until I started the car and then removed the fuse.. Turned the car off and on a few times.. Good to go!!

bebenegro · 08-30-2023, 07:13 PM

Im so confused by this whole thing. My 2011 370z lighted up the key indicator a couple of days ago. Reading through all these suggestions, and as the car still turns on, I went to remove the fuse by the battery. After removing all panels and finally getting to fuse box, I open up and...

Nothing.

There is no fuse where the steering lock fuse is supoosed ro be. I have been the only owner of this car since August of 2011. Is this possible?

kcquinn49 · 03-17-2018, 04:51 PM

Mine failed again yesterday, second time. I had success with the tire iron by hitting it rapidly. Hitting it hard didn't do it. So I tapped it real fast and it went to ACC right away. Went home and removed the fuse. Easy to do. Now the key icon is on all the time. Probably telling me I have a bad fuse. So next oil change I need to make sure they don't do me any favors and replace the fuse.

VTown21 · 11-13-2019, 02:21 PM

Thanks for this. I recently had this problem and searched the web to help solve this.

I was able to get it back into ACC mode by using a probe for the module and connecting it to ground. I had the car in ACC mode and then took the 10A fuse out.

After that, I put everything back into place and tried to start my car but it was unseccessful. Would the next problem just be that my module is downright malfunctioned and need to replace it?

I am able to start it using the probe but once I have it not connected to ground, it wont start.

Was wondering if this thread can help me out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

SouthArk370Z · 11-13-2019, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTown21

... After that, I put everything back into place and tried to start my car but it was unseccessful. Would the next problem just be that my module is downright malfunctioned and need to replace it? ...

The problem is usually that the locking pin has not retracted far enough to actuate an internal switch*. Link in my sig to more info. If the switch is not the problem then the ESCL may have faulty electronics.

*Edit: It will retract far enough to unlock the wheel but not far enough to hit the switch.

VTown21 · 11-20-2019, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

The problem is usually that the locking pin has not retracted far enough to actuate an internal switch*. Link in my sig to more info. If the switch is not the problem then the ESCL may have faulty electronics.

*Edit: It will retract far enough to unlock the wheel but not far enough to hit the switch.

Thanks for the help! I kept trying to start it using a needles and connecting it to ground and I was able to get it working. I then was able to just do the fuse trick and it’s been running so far. I’m not exactly sure what I did thought to make it functional at the moment. I will be looking into your sig!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JARblue · 08-31-2023, 10:05 AM

If your car still starts and runs fine and the fuse is removed, then you are good to go from that standpoint. Most likely the previous owner removed it. The key indicator can illuminate for reasons other than your steering lock. Could just be your fob battery.

bebenegro · 09-06-2023, 06:23 PM

Thanks for the reply! The thing is, Ive been the only owner, straight from the Nissan dealership. But, its nice to know it may just be something else.

04-25-2023, 10:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ryfrybell Base Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: OH Posts: 18 Drives: ACE S/C Nismo 370 Rep Power: 6	Mine failed today on my 2011 Nismo with only 16k miles on the odometer. Crazy that this fails so soon. Would have saved me a lot of time if I found this forum before it failed! Still saved me from towing the thing!! Key light was on the dash and could not advance to ACC. Kept the ground wire jumped until I started the car and then removed the fuse.. Turned the car off and on a few times.. Good to go!! filip00 likes this.

08-31-2023, 10:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 45 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684442	If your car still starts and runs fine and the fuse is removed, then you are good to go from that standpoint. Most likely the previous owner removed it. The key indicator can illuminate for reasons other than your steering lock. Could just be your fob battery. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

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01-09-2018, 02:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
hrtbrknprince Base Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Savannah Posts: 114 Drives: 14 MBMM6S Rep Power: 3370	Question. My car is fine but I want to remove the fuse as a precaution. Its a 2014 model. Nissan dealer says there isn't a TSB for my car but since the car hasn't changed that much I figure I'll take the precaution and remove it.. Since my car is fine at the moment can I just remove the fuse? I don't have to get a hammer or put it in ACC mode right? I can just do it with the car off correct?

03-16-2018, 10:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
WPN370 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sydney Au Posts: 8 Drives: 11 370z roadster Rep Power: 14	So went to leave for work this morning and nothing just that damn key light. Tapped it a few times and pulled the fuse now it’s perfect! Thanks for the good right up this was a life saver! 👌👌

05-12-2020, 08:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
sportsman2003 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: In the moment Posts: 191 Drives: Sideways most times Rep Power: 11607	I keep reading about cutting the brown wire but can’t seem to find that post or thread. I am the proud owner of a new to me 2010 Z and would like to prevent this happening to me.

07-09-2021, 03:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
filip00 Track Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: slovenia Posts: 596 Drives: 370z pack Rep Power: 125429	After reading a lot about the dreaded steering wheel lock, I've decided to try the preventative measure of removing the fuse. I've read this thread (as well as others) and I'm glad to say it worked! So just to summarize: 1. my steering wheel lock always worked fine 2. my car is 2009, all original, with 10k miles, so probably it was just a matter of time when it will seize 3. I put the car in ACC, opened the fuse box and pulled the steering wheel lock fuse out 4. problem solved, wheel lock removed. ....5. I use disklok for added theft security on the car, so I'm really not worried about the steering wheel lock. Thank you for the free fix!

08-30-2023, 07:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
bebenegro Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 38 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	Im so confused by this whole thing. My 2011 370z lighted up the key indicator a couple of days ago. Reading through all these suggestions, and as the car still turns on, I went to remove the fuse by the battery. After removing all panels and finally getting to fuse box, I open up and... Nothing. There is no fuse where the steering lock fuse is supoosed ro be. I have been the only owner of this car since August of 2011. Is this possible?

03-17-2018, 04:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
kcquinn49 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 86 Drives: 2011 370Z Coupe Rep Power: 251	Mine failed again yesterday, second time. I had success with the tire iron by hitting it rapidly. Hitting it hard didn't do it. So I tapped it real fast and it went to ACC right away. Went home and removed the fuse. Easy to do. Now the key icon is on all the time. Probably telling me I have a bad fuse. So next oil change I need to make sure they don't do me any favors and replace the fuse.

11-13-2019, 02:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
VTown21 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 2 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z AT Rep Power: 10	Thanks for this. I recently had this problem and searched the web to help solve this. I was able to get it back into ACC mode by using a probe for the module and connecting it to ground. I had the car in ACC mode and then took the 10A fuse out. After that, I put everything back into place and tried to start my car but it was unseccessful. Would the next problem just be that my module is downright malfunctioned and need to replace it? I am able to start it using the probe but once I have it not connected to ground, it wont start. Was wondering if this thread can help me out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

09-06-2023, 06:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
bebenegro Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 38 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	Thanks for the reply! The thing is, Ive been the only owner, straight from the Nissan dealership. But, its nice to know it may just be something else.