Steering lock problem solved (for real)

kenchan · 01-05-2017, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DemandedAce

So is the brown wire fix 100% guaranteed? I just don't want to cut it to have it lock up again and have no way of getting it started afterwards without splicing

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Pulling the fuse kills power to the brown wire, ie, they do exactly the same thing.

yes and yes

jchammond · 01-05-2017, 04:48 AM

SouthArk,
Have you removed one of these steering lock assemblies from a Z (in the unlock position)?
Wasn't sure if it had to be on the column to function;as i know when the locking pin retract's,,,it closes contact's on a switch that allows for start-up.
Taking it off completely & having a special relay or something for the plug to go in,would be cool....like a jumper wire connection...
Just a thought.

SouthArk370Z · 01-05-2017, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchammond

SouthArk,
Have you removed one of these steering lock assemblies from a Z (in the unlock position)?
Wasn't sure if it had to be on the column to function;as i know when the locking pin retract's,,,it closes contact's on a switch that allows for start-up.
Taking it off completely & having a special relay or something for the plug to go in,would be cool....like a jumper wire connection...
Just a thought.

The ESCL does not have to be mounted to the steering column but it must be plugged in. A relay would solve the switches problem but there is other communication with one (or more) of the control modules (via CAN, IIRC, but wouldn't swear to it). Removing the fuse (or cutting the wire) only kills power to the motor that moves the pin - the electronics are still powered up.

Somebody did an autopsy on an ESCL with pics of the various components. I think I remember there also being some explanations of what the parts did.

JARblue · 01-05-2017, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

The ESCL does not have to be mounted to the steering column but it must be plugged in. A relay would solve the switches problem but there is other communication with one (or more) of the control modules (via CAN, IIRC, but wouldn't swear to it). Removing the fuse (or cutting the wire) only kills power to the motor that moves the pin - the electronics are still powered up.

Somebody did an autopsy on an ESCL with pics of the various components. I think I remember there also being some explanations of what the parts did.

I believe you are correct that it uses the CAN interface. In 370Z's with a steering lock assembly, obviously it must be in the unlocked position to start. But it has to tell the car the ESCL is in the unlock position. So this signal is needed in order to start the car, which is why you can't just remove the ESCL assembly completely. Thankfully, as you mention, the workarounds specified on this forum kill power to the motor that actuates the locking pin and still allow the unlocked signal to be sent to the car.

POS VETT · 01-05-2017, 05:19 AM

Removing the supposedly correct fuse while ECSL is retracted and an ESCL that still works/locks don't make sense. Something isn't right.

DemandedAce · 01-05-2017, 07:22 AM

Interesting, I have no idea how it could continue to function and lock up without the fuse then. Color me perplexed.

SouthArk370Z · 01-05-2017, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DemandedAce

Interesting, I have no idea how it could continue to function and lock up without the fuse then. Color me perplexed.

Either the wrong fuse was pulled or vibration caused the pin to back away from the switch(es) just enough to cause a problem.

DemandedAce · 01-05-2017, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Either the wrong fuse was pulled or vibration caused the pin to back away from the switch(es) just enough to cause a problem.

It was definitely the right fuse removed, so must have been something with the latter option I guess.

jchammond · 01-05-2017, 07:22 AM

Ok SouthArk,sounds good.

DemandedAce · 01-05-2017, 11:19 AM

Just went out to my car now and it is locked up AGAIN... how is this possible???

POS VETT · 01-05-2017, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DemandedAce

Just went out to my car now and it is locked up AGAIN... how is this possible???

You tell us. Which fuse did you pull? What was the procedure that you performed?

DemandedAce · 01-05-2017, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS VETT

You tell us. Which fuse did you pull? What was the procedure that you performed?

Same as everyone else: banged on the module to get the car into ACC and once it was there I pulled the steering lock fuse. It then worked fine for 5-10 stops/starts and I came back out today and it was locked again. Interestingly enough, I didn't have to replace the fuse in order to get it to release this time - I only had to bang on it softly a couple of times and it freed up.

Sufficed to say, until I figure out what is going on I'm carrying a hammer with me everywhere...

jchammond · 01-06-2017, 02:38 AM

I have a question demandedAce;
When you do get the car to start & switch it back off,,,can you freely turn the steering wheel left to right & right to left?
I know this will take some effort, if the Z is not on a lift...(should be able to turn at any given time).
Also,,,after you bang on steering lock;do you here any mechanical slide/scrape noises?
Just trying to help with your diagnosis.

DemandedAce · 01-06-2017, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchammond

I have a question demandedAce;
When you do get the car to start & switch it back off,,,can you freely turn the steering wheel left to right & right to left?
I know this will take some effort, if the Z is not on a lift...(should be able to turn at any given time).
Also,,,after you bang on steering lock;do you here any mechanical slide/scrape noises?
Just trying to help with your diagnosis.

Def a good set of questions, the first two times I could turn the wheel but yesterday I wasn't really able to (though I wasn't trying to hard and am on a bit of an incline). I didn't really hear any slide/scrape noises since the beeping of the car switching in over the clanking of the hammer was all that I heard, but I'll keep an ear out for it the next time (I'm sure) that it happens

wheee! · 01-06-2017, 08:59 AM

Reposting the fuse location. Sometimes stating the obvious isn't obvious to some...

01-05-2017, 04:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
jchammond A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Carolina Age: 59 Posts: 15,204 Drives: 13’ 370Z TS 7A/T Rep Power: 2684396	SouthArk, Have you removed one of these steering lock assemblies from a Z (in the unlock position)? Wasn't sure if it had to be on the column to function;as i know when the locking pin retract's,,,it closes contact's on a switch that allows for start-up. Taking it off completely & having a special relay or something for the plug to go in,would be cool....like a jumper wire connection... Just a thought. __________________ MazWorx built long block \| FI-TT-100 Stage 2.75 \| IPT built 7A/T http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...s-musings.html

01-05-2017, 07:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
jchammond A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Carolina Age: 59 Posts: 15,204 Drives: 13’ 370Z TS 7A/T Rep Power: 2684396	Ok SouthArk,sounds good. __________________ MazWorx built long block \| FI-TT-100 Stage 2.75 \| IPT built 7A/T http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...s-musings.html

01-06-2017, 02:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
jchammond A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Carolina Age: 59 Posts: 15,204 Drives: 13’ 370Z TS 7A/T Rep Power: 2684396	I have a question demandedAce; When you do get the car to start & switch it back off,,,can you freely turn the steering wheel left to right & right to left? I know this will take some effort, if the Z is not on a lift...(should be able to turn at any given time). Also,,,after you bang on steering lock;do you here any mechanical slide/scrape noises? Just trying to help with your diagnosis. __________________ MazWorx built long block \| FI-TT-100 Stage 2.75 \| IPT built 7A/T http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...s-musings.html

01-06-2017, 08:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 59 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40183	Reposting the fuse location. Sometimes stating the obvious isn't obvious to some... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

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01-05-2017, 05:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
POS VETT Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 612 Drives: Z34\|C4LT4\|C6Z06\|V25 Rep Power: 3368	Removing the supposedly correct fuse while ECSL is retracted and an ESCL that still works/locks don't make sense. Something isn't right.

01-05-2017, 07:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
DemandedAce Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: East Coast Posts: 42 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 16	Interesting, I have no idea how it could continue to function and lock up without the fuse then. Color me perplexed.

01-05-2017, 11:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
DemandedAce Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: East Coast Posts: 42 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 16	Just went out to my car now and it is locked up AGAIN... how is this possible???