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

diddy535 · 02-10-2013, 06:55 PM

Don't smash it with anything, time for a tow unless you can replace the steering lock yourself

Baer383 · 02-10-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddy535

Don't smash it with anything, time for a tow unless you can replace the steering lock yourself

Apparently you haven't been reading the steering lock threads?

OldGuy · 02-10-2013, 07:01 PM

I, too, am an '09 automatic Z owner, who knows virtually nothing about the mechanical aspect of cars. But I can read these posts and had the mechanic remove the steering lock fuse pre-emptively. It was so simple, it took about 8 minutes and he wouldn't even charge me (thought he Nissan dealership estimated $165.00 for the same job). Read the excellent threads here, that include pictures and as soon as you get your car unlocked, have this done. Also, it's better than cutting wires, as you will be able to re-insert the fuse if you go to sell the car, thereby restoring the car to "stock." The new owner can then make his own decisions on how to handle the problem.
Nissan has avoided all responsibility in this matter and has truly "dropped the ball." Made me decide not to buy my wife a new Maxima---got her a Volvo instead just because of the way Nissan has mishandled this entire situation.

864Zbeast · 02-10-2013, 07:04 PM

Steering lock failed. Mine did the same thing a couple weeks ago. I had to have it towed to nissan and fixed

R0bDC · 02-10-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante Rising

Sorry everyone,

I know there are several threads related to this problem, but the more I read the more confused I become on the subject. I have absolutely no knowledge about working on cars.

Three days ago the low key battery indicator started showing on my 2009 Nissan 370Z (automatic transmission) LCD screen. I ordered a set of new batteries from Amazon, but they have not yet arrived.

Today when I went into my garage and the car wouldn't start. I noticed the yellow "key" indicator is on, and the intelligent key will only lock and unlock the doors. I tried to start the car by placing the intelligent key in the manual start port, but the push button ignition stays ("reads") in the locked position, and the LCD shows an image that appears to be telling me to pull the key out of the port.

The steering wheel itself is not locked, however. I can actually move it back and forth, but the break petal will not press very far down.

Is this most likely the Steering Lock failure issue, or am I doing something wrong? And if this IS the steering failure, am I understanding my first option is:

1) "open the car door, but dont try pushing the start button. Take a heavy tool like a hammer or something and smack the crap out of the SLU about 5 good times and then put your foot on the break and push the start button"

or am I supposed to HOLD the push button down WHILE banging on the Steering Lock pane?

2) Also, the piece I'm supposed to hit is silver panel under the steering column that says "to throw away in case of free fall"? Correct? I'm REALLY worried that I will hit this thing too hard, or from the wrong angle with the hammer and cause even MORE problems.

3) If this doesn't work, are there any other manual ways for a newbie to disengage this lock without calling a two truck and spending $1500 dollars?

Thank you, everyone.

Make sure to post it here Sticky***** Steering Lock Failure Database ***** Sticky

Also Reported it

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

Lastly Call Nissan Consumer Affairs and tell them.

I really do believe Nissan will recall this if everyone does their part.

Dante Rising · 02-11-2013, 01:43 AM

Thanks again for the assist, everyone.

Two final questions:

1) If a few light taps don't work, I can basically bang on the SLU as hard as I want correct? After all, this is the component that Nissan is going to replace if this workaround fails?

2) So simply cutting the brown wire has no negative consequences? I didn't see any in any forum posts. Due to my inexperience with cars I prefer to go this route, even though a step-by-step process was posted for the fuse box. Someone on the forum mentioned that if you do not replace all the seals properly when doing the fuse workaround, water can get into the box and cause several thousand dollars in damage. Not sure I want to tempt fate...

Thanks!

Baer383 · 02-11-2013, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante Rising

Thanks again for the assist, everyone.

Two final questions:

1) If a few light taps don't work, I can basically bang on the SLU as hard as I want correct? After all, this is the component that Nissan is going to replace if this workaround fails?

2) So simply cutting the brown wire has no negative consequences? I didn't see any in any forum posts. Due to my inexperience with cars I prefer to go this route, even though a step-by-step process was posted for the fuse box. Someone on the forum mentioned that if you do not replace all the seals properly when doing the fuse workaround, water can get into the box and cause several thousand dollars in damage. Not sure I want to tempt fate...

Thanks!

You DON'T have to replace anything when removing the fuse most of these people on this thread think they are helping when in fact they don't know what the hell they are talking about,they probably said to replace the seal b/c they were stupid and ripped it when opening the door to the fuse box.

You just open the fuse door remove fuse #48 it says steering lock on it put the cover back on it and that is it,go to the first post and you will see how simple it really is.
You don't have to beat the sh!t out of it but you may have to hit it a little harder than a few taps to get it to move.

Good luck Frank

Dante Rising · 02-11-2013, 12:34 PM

LOL! I got the car started with the hamming method!!

I followed the excellent instructions below, but I am stuck:
Steering lock problem solved (for real)

How to I OPEN the fuse box?!?! It is like a child-proof medicine bottle! I'm pulling and tugging, twisting and turning!

I'd really appreciate some assistance quickly. The car is running!

Thanks!

Baer383 · 02-11-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante Rising

LOL! I got the car started with the hamming method!!

I followed the excellent instructions below, but I am stuck:
Steering lock problem solved (for real)

How to I OPEN the fuse box?!?! It is like a child-proof medicine bottle! I'm pulling and tugging, twisting and turning!

I'd really appreciate some assistance quickly. The car is running!

Thanks!

Here is your answer post 234
Steering lock problem solved (for real)

Pintsize725 · 02-11-2013, 11:19 PM

Should someone tell him not to be freaked when the car takes a few seconds to turn on now?

Baer383 · 02-12-2013, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pintsize725

Should someone tell him not to be freaked when the car takes a few seconds to turn on now?

That doesn't happen to everyone plus it has not been proven that this is the cause of it.

k.alexander · 02-11-2013, 01:38 PM

Just happened to my 09 base. Luckily fixed under an extended warranty that I have, car has 66000 miles on it. Does anyone know if this is likely to break again, now that the SLU has been replaced???

Baer383 · 02-11-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.alexander

Just happened to my 09 base. Luckily fixed under an extended warranty that I have, car has 66000 miles on it. Does anyone know if this is likely to break again, now that the SLU has been replaced???

There are a revision A,B,C,D and all of them have failed,the best you can have is a "D" lock

blackbird · 02-11-2013, 02:20 PM

Contacted NHTSA, Emailed Nissan USA. Someone called back. Escalated. no action. Sent second e-mail. Individual called back to say they had just received both e-mails. Would look into it and get back to me. A week later he got back to me. He was going to take it upstairs and get back to me in a week. Since then, approximately 2 1/2 weeks nothing. I have called and left messages but nothing. Today I received a survey from Nissan USA. They won't like my answers. Keep calling NISSAN USA, blast them with E-mails. Be polite. How about a nice story for Car and Driver, Road & Track etc.

fighterinsnat · 02-11-2013, 04:40 PM

Subscribed. My car is in the shop currently after having it towed on Saturday. $1428 total repair cost. I've opened a case with Nissan and I'm supposed to hear back from them tomorrow. 2009 48k miles no warranty.

Has anyone successfully gotten it repaired?

Also if anyone wants, my number is 352-213-5309 for anyone that might want to share experience or progress.

02-10-2013, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
diddy535 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 789 Drives: '09 370Z RAE 6MT Rep Power: 15	Don't smash it with anything, time for a tow unless you can replace the steering lock yourself __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...ys-thread.html

02-10-2013, 07:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
864Zbeast Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Walhalla/Clemson, SC Posts: 874 Drives: 09 BS 370z Rep Power: 16	Steering lock failed. Mine did the same thing a couple weeks ago. I had to have it towed to nissan and fixed __________________ Avant Garde M310 gloss black/ Nitto Invo/ black fangs and rear diffuser/ gloss black roof/ tinted tail lights/ GT-R start button

02-11-2013, 11:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pintsize725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Austin Posts: 14,196 Drives: 2016 Mazda 6 Rep Power: 211845	Should someone tell him not to be freaked when the car takes a few seconds to turn on now? __________________ Tracie

02-11-2013, 01:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
k.alexander Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Age: 46 Posts: 240 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 715	Just happened to my 09 base. Luckily fixed under an extended warranty that I have, car has 66000 miles on it. Does anyone know if this is likely to break again, now that the SLU has been replaced??? __________________ -Are you coming to bed? -I can't. This is important. -What? -Someone is WRONG on the internet.

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02-10-2013, 07:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
OldGuy Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Greensburg PA Posts: 899 Drives: '09370Z Red Base A7 Rep Power: 17	I, too, am an '09 automatic Z owner, who knows virtually nothing about the mechanical aspect of cars. But I can read these posts and had the mechanic remove the steering lock fuse pre-emptively. It was so simple, it took about 8 minutes and he wouldn't even charge me (thought he Nissan dealership estimated $165.00 for the same job). Read the excellent threads here, that include pictures and as soon as you get your car unlocked, have this done. Also, it's better than cutting wires, as you will be able to re-insert the fuse if you go to sell the car, thereby restoring the car to "stock." The new owner can then make his own decisions on how to handle the problem. Nissan has avoided all responsibility in this matter and has truly "dropped the ball." Made me decide not to buy my wife a new Maxima---got her a Volvo instead just because of the way Nissan has mishandled this entire situation.

02-11-2013, 01:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dante Rising Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Il Posts: 11 Drives: Nissan 370z Rep Power: 13	Thanks again for the assist, everyone. Two final questions: 1) If a few light taps don't work, I can basically bang on the SLU as hard as I want correct? After all, this is the component that Nissan is going to replace if this workaround fails? 2) So simply cutting the brown wire has no negative consequences? I didn't see any in any forum posts. Due to my inexperience with cars I prefer to go this route, even though a step-by-step process was posted for the fuse box. Someone on the forum mentioned that if you do not replace all the seals properly when doing the fuse workaround, water can get into the box and cause several thousand dollars in damage. Not sure I want to tempt fate... Thanks!

02-11-2013, 12:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dante Rising Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Il Posts: 11 Drives: Nissan 370z Rep Power: 13	LOL! I got the car started with the hamming method!! I followed the excellent instructions below, but I am stuck: Steering lock problem solved (for real) How to I OPEN the fuse box?!?! It is like a child-proof medicine bottle! I'm pulling and tugging, twisting and turning! I'd really appreciate some assistance quickly. The car is running! Thanks!

02-11-2013, 02:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
blackbird Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nashua NH Posts: 179 Drives: 09 370Z BLk GTM TT Rep Power: 17	Contacted NHTSA, Emailed Nissan USA. Someone called back. Escalated. no action. Sent second e-mail. Individual called back to say they had just received both e-mails. Would look into it and get back to me. A week later he got back to me. He was going to take it upstairs and get back to me in a week. Since then, approximately 2 1/2 weeks nothing. I have called and left messages but nothing. Today I received a survey from Nissan USA. They won't like my answers. Keep calling NISSAN USA, blast them with E-mails. Be polite. How about a nice story for Car and Driver, Road & Track etc.

02-11-2013, 04:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
fighterinsnat Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: florida Posts: 49 Drives: 370z Gray Rep Power: 15	Subscribed. My car is in the shop currently after having it towed on Saturday. $1428 total repair cost. I've opened a case with Nissan and I'm supposed to hear back from them tomorrow. 2009 48k miles no warranty. Has anyone successfully gotten it repaired? Also if anyone wants, my number is 352-213-5309 for anyone that might want to share experience or progress.