ATTENTION!! 2009-2010 owners with steering lock/wont start issues

Lemers

I just had this problem too. Mine was covered by the extended warranty. It seems to be a problem with 2009 to early 2010 models. They had to change the steering lock actuator and reprogram the ECU and FOBs. Apparently this problem creates a short in that shuts the engine down (believe it has to do with anti-theft).

__________________

2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

1st

Correction my friend 09-mid 2011 last 4 of the part # should read f00d to be in the clear.

Jasonle

damn. $1400

__________________
2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van
Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

ajc1884

I'm reall sorry to hear that Geezer1946.
I recently purchased a used 2009. Luckily I read about this problem before i purchased it. Needless to say as soon as i got home from the dealer i took the steering wheel lock fuse out (by following instructions in other threads about the topic)! My steering wheel lock is now safely disabled !

USINC97

Just ordered the steering lock bypass kit. I'm not big on cutting wires or popping fuses. Instructions seem simple enough. $59.00 which includes shipping.

Jasonle

I ended up doing this as well

__________________
2009 Nissan 370z/2003 Honda Soccer Van
Shineauto Amuse Body Kit/UAM Fenders/Bc Br Coilovers/Topspeed Exhaust/Racing Hart Wheels and More My Sexy Beast

SPOHN

Cause the the world would just end.

__________________

invader19

Is there a how-to youtube video on removing the right fuse?

tonythetiger

u shouldve pulled out the fuse, did it on mine no issues

__________________

KWV3/Eibach/StillenG3/FI CBE+LTH+34Row/Uprev/SPL/SouthBendSS/QuaifeLSD/4.08/TommyKaira/Status/VolkZE40/AP Radical BBK/Seibon/Amuse/VIS/Sparco/WorksBellGTC/RJM/Nismo

red6spd

Think I'm going to wait till my warranty is up then pull the fuse.

__________________
2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness.
???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

864Zbeast

A week ago Friday my car wouldn't start so I started reading and knew this was the issue before the tow truck got my car to nissan. Thank god our warranty covered it. $1300 total cost. Glad it's fixed now!

__________________

doesntcount

My car didn't start tonight. It's currently sitting in my work's parking lot in the freezing cold: it's -16C tonight

My working theory is that it's the dreaded steering lock failure. However, I want to prove it before I do anything like pay for towing. A couple of things make me slightly skeptical:

1. I can turn the steering wheel. It's not locked.
2. One of the DIY's claims that you have to put your car in ACC. But I can't even get to ACC. It stays in "Lock" mode.

Do either of things mean that it might be something else?

Thanks for the help....

DEpointfive0

Maybe it broke in the open position...

SurfDog

if it is the steering lock, then it didn't break in open but rather in an "almost but not quite open" position. There is a little switch in the lock which is depressed when the lock is all the way open. the (depressed) switch allows the engine to begin the start sequence.

It could be a lot of things, the fact you can turn your unmodified steering lock leads my to suggest it probably is your steering lock. (which because its not locking is clearly malfunctioning)

Unfortunately you do not have an easily diagnosed common mode of failure.

I recommend the standard "emergency fix" of pushing your start button (with your key in the key holder) and tap/bang the crap out of your malfunctioning steering wheel lock hoping it will slip loose from its jammed position. If that works (really stick with it for awhile) then definitely pull your fuse or cut your brown wire once you get the car running BEFORE YOU TURN IT OFF!

good luck, unfortunately you are not talking about a standard (well understood) malfunction.

one last though. Make sure you have a good battery in the key fob or just put it in the little fob holder (if it is dead that should allow a start.)

__________________
09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

OldGuy

This whole steering lock situation is an absolute outrage. Nissan should be ashamed. Their refusal to take full responsibility and issue a recall is certain to cost them in furture sales. I know they've lost my business. I was waiting to buy my wife the new Maxima coming out next year. Given that it would be a first year model, I now expect as little help from them as possible on a problem like this in the new Maxima. So, instead, I ordered her a beautiful new Volvo and they are paying for the round trip for her and me to take delivery at their plant in Sweeden. Sorry Nissan---you blew it (and I sure hope you read this).