Originally Posted by Knio (Post 3887021)

Removing the fuse while in ACC did not fix anything, and it still goes into lockdown without me keeping the pink wire permanently grounded.

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 3887069)

That's because you have to have the ignition ON and engine running when you pull it. Reinsert the fuse, start the engine, and then pull the fuse. And then return the part you don't need :twocents:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z (Post 3887090)

IIRC, the engine does not have to be running - just turned on. But it's been a while since I had to deal with an ESCL.

Originally Posted by Knio (Post 3887021)

Just had my steering lock fail (rev D, was previously replaced from the TSB in 2013).

Mine failed in the "unlocked" state (I could still turn the steering wheel), which I'm not sure is normal? and I could not get the car to turn on or ACC at all. The start button showed "LOCK" and the yellow key light came on solid, but the key fobs were working fine.

This youtube video saved my day: https://youtu.be/pLPTNm0xxy4?t=70
Just short the pink wire to ground to bypass the broken lock and get the car to power on. Removing the fuse while in ACC did not fix anything, and it still goes into lockdown without me keeping the pink wire permanently grounded.

I ordered the 48700-9N00B delete kit and will see if that works when it ships.

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 3887575)

Grounding the pink wire electrically bypasses the ESCL (steering lock), allowing you to start the car. Once the car is started you're good. You do not need to keep the wire grounded.

Originally Posted by JARblue (Post 3887844)

Well, you can either ground the pink wire every time you want to start the car or you can pull the fuse once. Your call.

Grounding the pink wire would not retract the pin inside the lock, so yes, I imagine that the pin needs to be at least partially retracted enough to allow the wheel to turn. You're not going to get very far with a locked steering wheel even if you can get the engine to turn on.

Originally Posted by tonythetiger (Post 3761894)

just pull out the fuse and you're good to go

Originally Posted by wdkwang (Post 3654788)

Hi all,

2010 owner here that recently encountered the steering lock failure and resolved it.

I've known about the problem for a while but never paid much mind to it since I naively thought it wouldn't happen to me. Well, it did, at ~51k miles. I was stranded on a Sunday night in the city and was nerve-rackingly trying to DIY fix it via the resources on this forum to no avail. No amount of hammering to that steering lock was going to get it to work. I had to get it towed home. I found out about the Voluntary Bulletin but they declined me because I have a revision C, and the Bulletin only covered revisions A and B. The next thing was to chance it by buying a used steering lock on ebay. They're going for $150-200. However, I came upon this one seller that had sold over 700 of these so called Bypass Kits for $103. It appeared to be an official Nissan part but I found it odd that there was almost nothing about it when searching via its serial number, including this forum. I took a chance and bought it. Had it installed by a friend and voila, it worked!
With this bypass kit, you don't need to cut any wires or pull any fuses after. It's a direct plug and play replacement to the steering lock except there's no more steering lock. No need for reprogramming by the dealer (this is a lie by them to get you to cough up another $200-300).

As advised by others already, don't wait until your steering lock fails on you and leaves you stranded. They made up to a revision D or E, which all will fail over time. If you have a 2012 or newer model, they eliminated the steering lock on them so you don't have to worry about this issue. If you have decided to ignore all warnings and ended up here reading this thread wondering how to get your as$ unstranded. Take a hammer and bang away at the steering lock located under the steering column while pressing the start button. You'll know it worked if you hear the steering unlock disengage. If that didn't work then you'll just have to pay for a tow like i did.

Now onto the actual fixing, I don't recommend spending the money on another steering lock module that will eventually fail. Just pay the $100 for this bypass kit and be done with it. It says Altima in the title, however the cars that have been effected and are compatible with this kit are Altima, Maxima, 370z, and GTR.

Part no. 48708-9N00A

Link to ebay item: 09-10 ALTIMA MAXIMA STEERING LOCK BYPASS KIT FOR 48700-9N00B NO PROGRAM NEEDED | eBay

Would appreciate a rep if this was helpful. Thanks all

Originally Posted by Cory Gillmore (Post 3895465)

Does pulling the fuse throw any kind of warning lights on the dash like the key icon or anything?