car wont start ipd steering lock

maciaqua

its not covered by warranty. they say under 3600 miles or 3 years but im way over it

DEpointfive0

Zentropy posted this on facebook:
Rubber mallet, no clutch, repeatedly hit steering lock and push start button till it releases.


You can also try to:
Unlatch the little lever that makes the steering wheel move up and down and then shake the **** out of the wheel up and down.

Roadkill

They're ripping your head off. I did the DIY fuse pull that I saw on here before mine went bad and its not hard to do. It didn't effect anything except the steering lock no longer works. Big deal. Problem is, if your steering lock has already failed, it's stuck in the lock position so the fuse pull fix won't work. It has to be in the open position. I've read several posts that state you may be able to gently tap the lock while pushing the on button and it will release. At least once. If it does, that's the time to pull the fuse. You may not get another shot at it. Do a search on it and you'll see. Good luck with it.

wheee!

Some people have had luck by tapping on the ipd steering lock box with a mallet via screwdiver etc while trying to start the car. It may lossen the screw drive mechanism enough to power up. Once it is in the "on" mode (not running), PULL THE FUSE! problem gone forever.

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DEpointfive0

Exactly what I'm saying

zentropy

you're retes if you'reTE=wheee!;2013925]Some people have had luck by tapping on the ipd steering lock box with a mallet via screwdiver etc while trying to start the car. It may lossen the screw drive mechanism enough to power up. Once it is in the "on" mode (not running), PULL THE FUSE! problem gone forever.[/QUOTE]

This. Rubber mallet, tap lock mechanism, push start button without clutch or brake pedal, if/when i starts pull fuse and throw it away. This method costs $0 and about 15 minutes if youre lucky.

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wheee!

Dealers

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kellyefields

take a hammer to it until you can start it once you get it started pull the fuse bdl99 created a bypass relay for the lock if you feel uncomfortable leaving the fuse out. good luck.

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maciaqua

they told me i need to replace the steering lock unit and the computer, what is the difference? i thought its the same thing

Spikuh

They are saying you need a new ECM also?!?!? I call total ******** on this.

I would highly suggest trying to unlock it with the rubber mallet solution. If you can get it to unlock and into the ACC position, then leave it in that position and yank out the fuse. Doing so will leave the steering lock in a perpetual unlocked state because it is no loger receiving power and because it is unlocked you can still start your car and do everything.

I pulled the fuse out of mine a couple weeks back and haven't had any issues to speak of.

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maciaqua

what is EMC? disconnect the whole fuse box? which one?

Spikuh

ECM is the ECU. The computer that controls the car. And you only pull the fuse that goes to the steering lock. Fusebox is kind of tucked away near the battery. It stands vertically and is kind of hidden. However, you cannot pull the fuse and expect it to work if the steering lock is set in the off position. You have to get it into ACC mode or it wont work.

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SouthArk370Z

For now, don't worry about the ECM. It's possible that you have an ECM problem, but MUCH more likely that you have a failed steering wheel lock (use the site search at the top of every page for more than you really want to know about SWL failure in 370Zs).
As everyone is trying to tell you, get the vehicle back from the dealer and try using the percussive force method of freeing up the stuck SWL (you will find at least one good DIY when you do the search mentioned above).
If you are able to free the SWL, remove the fuse supplying power to the SWL (search).
If you cannot free the SWL, then you will have to get the dealer to replace it or DIY (search). I don't know much it should cost to get a mechanic to do the job, but $1600 sounds pretty high for a $500-700 part and an hour of labor. Only requires one special tool that every Nissan dealer should have and most DIYers can jury rig or do without.

If fixing the SWL does not fix the problem, THEN is the time to suspect the ECM.

Good luck.

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kidkotic2001

I agree with everyone here, No way is the part over 600 bucks, I would get my car out of the dealer, take it home and start the mallet/hammer approach until it gets loose and you can go to ACC then unplug the fuse which I believe its bdl99 or something close to that. Once you pull the fuse this will be gone for ever.

Dealers

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scgolfer7

Ok, I just solved this problem on my 09 Z on Sunday. I was 100 miles away from home when my steering lock stuck.

I simply hit the steering lock itself with the side of a pair of pliers (all I had in my car) and kept pressing the START button until you hear the steering lock retract.

After that the car was in "ACC" mode and I pulled the fuse so it will never happen again. If you have any questions feel free to ask.