Steering lock problem solved (for real)

DCspartan09 · 01-24-2013, 07:46 PM

Mine just died today at lunch. Went to start, light was flashing, wouldn't start with the key in the fobgina, couldn't get it to go to ACC for the life of me. Had to have it thrown on the flat bed and taken to nearby nissan dealer.

I understand that sometimes yanking on the steering wheel up and down, or tapping on the unit under the steering column can sometimes get it to unlock and allow starting the vehicle and subsequently pulling the fuse. What I haven't really seen much response to is when the SLU fails but in the unlocked position (e.g., never locked after shutting down the engine, and can freely turn the wheels while its off). Sounds like pulling the fuse at this point WONT fix it.

Can anyone help with recommendations on what I CAN do tomorrow when I stop by the dealer to get the car to ACC/ON so I can pull the fuse? Thank you.

daisuke149 · 01-24-2013, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCspartan09

Mine just died today at lunch. Went to start, light was flashing, wouldn't start with the key in the fobgina, couldn't get it to go to ACC for the life of me. Had to have it thrown on the flat bed and taken to nearby nissan dealer.

I understand that sometimes yanking on the steering wheel up and down, or tapping on the unit under the steering column can sometimes get it to unlock and allow starting the vehicle and subsequently pulling the fuse. What I haven't really seen much response to is when the SLU fails but in the unlocked position (e.g., never locked after shutting down the engine, and can freely turn the wheels while its off). Sounds like pulling the fuse at this point WONT fix it.

Can anyone help with recommendations on what I CAN do tomorrow when I stop by the dealer to get the car to ACC/ON so I can pull the fuse? Thank you.

your saying yours died while in the unlocked position?

chances are that when it is dying, its giving a dead signal to the ecu thus making it not start.

pulling the fuse may give it a different response. so perhaps if you just pulled the fuse as it is now (unlocked) it may start?

DCspartan09 · 01-24-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisuke149

your saying yours died while in the unlocked position?

chances are that when it is dying, its giving a dead signal to the ecu thus making it not start.

pulling the fuse may give it a different response. so perhaps if you just pulled the fuse as it is now (unlocked) it may start?

Correct. Parked it while running out to lunch, came back...wouldn't turn to ACC/ON/START. Saw the little key light come on, tried putting the keyfob in the fobgina..no go. Walked over to walmart, replaced keyfob battery...no go. Got a jump from someone hoping the 10-20 degree weather over last couple days lead to a car battery issue...after jump, no go. Still the little orange key light on.

However...the steering wheel IS unlocked, and i can turn the wheels. Moved them fully from one side to the other, didn't lock either. Definitely going to try and remove the fuse myself tomorrow morning if I have time before work, or ask the dealer to try it first..but after finding 2 other examples of this in the last 40 pages of this thread...didn't seem like pulling the fuse worked...ugh..FML.

Baer383 · 01-24-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCspartan09

Correct. Parked it while running out to lunch, came back...wouldn't turn to ACC/ON/START. Saw the little key light come on, tried putting the keyfob in the fobgina..no go. Walked over to walmart, replaced keyfob battery...no go. Got a jump from someone hoping the 10-20 degree weather over last couple days lead to a car battery issue...after jump, no go. Still the little orange key light on.

However...the steering wheel IS unlocked, and i can turn the wheels. Moved them fully from one side to the other, didn't lock either. Definitely going to try and remove the fuse myself tomorrow morning if I have time before work, or ask the dealer to try it first..but after finding 2 other examples of this in the last 40 pages of this thread...didn't seem like pulling the fuse worked...ugh..FML.

pm in bound

bmarcinczyk14 · 01-24-2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCspartan09

Correct. Parked it while running out to lunch, came back...wouldn't turn to ACC/ON/START. Saw the little key light come on, tried putting the keyfob in the fobgina..no go. Walked over to walmart, replaced keyfob battery...no go. Got a jump from someone hoping the 10-20 degree weather over last couple days lead to a car battery issue...after jump, no go. Still the little orange key light on.

However...the steering wheel IS unlocked, and i can turn the wheels. Moved them fully from one side to the other, didn't lock either. Definitely going to try and remove the fuse myself tomorrow morning if I have time before work, or ask the dealer to try it first..but after finding 2 other examples of this in the last 40 pages of this thread...didn't seem like pulling the fuse worked...ugh..FML.

My guess is the steering lock did in fact fail, which is why the vehicle will not start, the PCM basically knows it's not working right. Thank god it failed in the unlock position, I would pull the fuse and I bet she'll start right up.

HerOuji · 02-04-2013, 08:52 AM

This seems easy, but do I need to start the car before I take out the fuse? I'm asking this because when I turn it to acc or on position my steering wheel still cannot turn freely unless I started her. The wheel lock was JF000C.
Will it be safe to take out the fuse while the car is started?

Thanks

bmarcinczyk14 · 02-04-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerOuji

This seems easy, but do I need to start the car before I take out the fuse? I'm asking this because when I turn it to acc or on position my steering wheel still cannot turn freely unless I started her. The wheel lock was JF000C.
Will it be safe to take out the fuse while the car is started?

Thanks

The steering wheel should move freely when in the ACC position, if not maybe the lock is starting to go bad? I'm not sure if it will be a issue removing the fuse with the car started.

VCuomo · 02-06-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerOuji

This seems easy, but do I need to start the car before I take out the fuse? I'm asking this because when I turn it to acc or on position my steering wheel still cannot turn freely unless I started her. The wheel lock was JF000C.
Will it be safe to take out the fuse while the car is started?

Thanks

You don't need to start the car, just have it in ACC when you pull the fuse. Here is a complete set of steps to follow: Steering lock problem solved (for real)

Baer383 · 02-06-2013, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

You don't need to start the car, just have it in ACC when you pull the fuse. Here is a complete set of steps to follow: Steering lock problem solved (for real)

The car needs to be on before you pull the fuse

VCuomo · 02-10-2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baer383

The car needs to be on before you pull the fuse

I believe it just needs to be in ACC mode. At least I'm pretty sure that's how I did mine... Although ON, but not started, works too.

Baer383 · 02-10-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

I believe it just needs to be in ACC mode.

UHH!! I started this thread

HerOuji · 02-04-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmarcinczyk14

The steering wheel should move freely when in the ACC position, if not maybe the lock is starting to go bad? I'm not sure if it will be a issue removing the fuse with the car started.

Hmm, I don't think it is starting to go bad because it was like that when I bought the car and the car still start normally.

bmarcinczyk14 · 02-04-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerOuji

Hmm, I don't think it is starting to go bad because it was like that when I bought the car and the car still start normally.

You say you cant turn it freely when in the ACC position, and technically this is true because the power assist steering doesnt function until the car is started. The steeeing lock is more than likely still being disengaged, so double check this. You should also be able to hear the lock disengaging the second you go into ACC. Just use some muscle and try to turn the tires back and forth to confirm it is in the unlocked position.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

HerOuji · 02-04-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmarcinczyk14

You say you cant turn it freely when in the ACC position, and technically this is true because the power assist steering doesnt function until the car is started. The steeeing lock is more than likely still being disengaged, so double check this. You should also be able to hear the lock disengaging the second you go into ACC. Just use some muscle and try to turn the tires back and forth to confirm it is in the unlocked position.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks for the info bro.

bmarcinczyk14 · 02-04-2013, 02:24 PM

Anytime!

02-04-2013, 08:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
HerOuji Base Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Brunei Posts: 131 Drives: 09 370z TG M6 Rep Power: 15	This seems easy, but do I need to start the car before I take out the fuse? I'm asking this because when I turn it to acc or on position my steering wheel still cannot turn freely unless I started her. The wheel lock was JF000C. Will it be safe to take out the fuse while the car is started? Thanks __________________ 370z 6MT TG 2009

02-04-2013, 02:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
bmarcinczyk14 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 505 Drives: 2010 370z 6spd Sport Rep Power: 18	Anytime! __________________ '10 370z -- '09 Ducati 848 -- '05 Kawasaki 636 Track Bike -- '02 Sentra SE-R Spec V

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01-24-2013, 07:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
DCspartan09 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 16 Drives: 09 370z Touring MT Rep Power: 16	Mine just died today at lunch. Went to start, light was flashing, wouldn't start with the key in the fobgina, couldn't get it to go to ACC for the life of me. Had to have it thrown on the flat bed and taken to nearby nissan dealer. I understand that sometimes yanking on the steering wheel up and down, or tapping on the unit under the steering column can sometimes get it to unlock and allow starting the vehicle and subsequently pulling the fuse. What I haven't really seen much response to is when the SLU fails but in the unlocked position (e.g., never locked after shutting down the engine, and can freely turn the wheels while its off). Sounds like pulling the fuse at this point WONT fix it. Can anyone help with recommendations on what I CAN do tomorrow when I stop by the dealer to get the car to ACC/ON so I can pull the fuse? Thank you.