Is it just me? (Life after pulling the steering lock fuse)
 

Ever since I pulled the steering lock fuse, it seems like it takes a couple of seconds for my car to react after I push the red button.
At first, I thought it was user error; clutch not all the way in, didn't push the button hard enough or long enough. But now, I'm pretty sure that my car takes an extra second or so to wake up post-pulling the steering lock fuse.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Yes. It is well documented by various users from all configurations. It is not detrimental to the system, just extra diagnostics looking for a signal return that isn't there.

Ah, thanks.

I've got a new '13 and at times it takes an extra second or two to get it cranked.

This is not necessarily related to the ESCL fuse removal. For whatever reason, it seems that it happens more frequently after pulling the fuse (same as my personal experience). But SouthArk has reviewed the electrical diagrams extensively and claims they are unrelated. I'm inclined to believe him, especially when people like Infidel post they are having the same problem in a model that doesn't even have an ESCL.

I have reviewed the diagrams too, but as I posted, it seems to be looking for a signal return that is no longer there. Either the ECU or the BCM must 'sense' the lack of a signal and is 'thinking' about it...
I can confirm that I NEVER had a delay issue in the year prior to removing the fuse.... and had it instantly thereafter.

DRL Boot up delay. It's normal. :icon17:

This just makes me wonder why it doesn't happen more consistently. I had the exact same experience. Never happened before fuse was removed. But then why is someone in a 2013 having a similar issue? I thought they got rid of the ESCL mid-2011 models :confused:

did this on my z and perfectly normal, no issues so far

The delay seems to creep up after closing the door without starting the car soon enough.

:iagree:

good to know because since I swaped in the HR engine , it does take a couple second before the engine start running ! I kept thinking that I messed up some wires somewhere !!! hehe

As far as I can tell, the delayed start "problem" is not related to disabling the ESCL - too many ppl who have not disabled the ESCL have the same symptoms.

Disabling the ESCL may exacerbate the situation, but reports don't seem to be consistent.

When you disable the ESCL you are only killing power to the microswitches inside the ESCL. There is an electronic module that stays powered and must be present and working (talking to the BCM) for the car to start.

The best theory I've heard for the reason for the delay is that the car is doing some self-diagnostics that, for some unknown reason, are not run before every startup.

In any case, it appears that the delay is not harmful, just annoying.

Try replacing the fuse and see if the delay goes away.

Since the ESCL is an anti-theft device, Nissan is understandably pretty tight-lipped about how it works. All the above is based on the FSM, my personal experience, and what I've read from other users. YMMV

I pulled mine and it happens intermittently. My 08 Altima did the same and I never disabled the SLU on it so I personally dont think its directly related.

2011+ no steering lock issues!! :driving:

Pulled mine as well. Takes longer now for sure but I guess that's just how it goes lol that or steering locked up on you!

I've driven my Z with the fuse in (before the fix), with the fuse pulled (also before the warranty fix) and with the fuse back in, after the warranty fix. Sorry, but I notice absolutely no difference at all in any of those scenarios.

My experience to a T.
After doing the "mod", I pushed the button, experienced a delay and thought "hmm, that was weird" and chalked it up to just me being paranoid about messing with the car's electronics.
But now it's consistent.

I think I'll get the SLU replaced on my next trip to the dealer.

Have you tried the GT-R start button mod? That thing suppose to get your car started faster thus eliminate the delay.:rofl2:

Maybe this is why I have not had this problem. I always start the car before I have both feet in usually.

He is already pushing the red start button. This is the real issue. :roflpuke2:

taking notes... start car with one leg out the door... check.

wat happens if one of my wife's leg's out the other door? would it start before i press the GTR button? :confused:

Naw. She might stop traffic though.

adding note.... leave wife at home... check!

2012 Nismo. Seems to take a second or so to start. I think it's perfectly normal. My Z06 ignition was slightly quicker to start, but I don't think it's any big deal.

I said this in the beginning when I made the "remove the fuse thread" the 2 are not related!!!

I had a starting delay on my 2010 w/fuse installed ,and now have a delay once and awhile in my 2013 Nismo with no lock at all.

Okay...
So to answer my question;
- No, it's not just me. There's an intermittent delay in the car starting up when the start button is pushed.
- Yes, it's just me. The intermittent delay in the car starting up when the start button is pushed has no correlation to pulling the steering lock fuse.
:rofl2:

Either yes or no. You nailed it!

Actually, I think it's more complicated than that :icon17:

It is just him in that it's not related to the steering lock, but it isn't just him because numerous people have the same experience (myself included) that makes it seem related to the steering lock, except that it is just him because there are people that have the same experience who haven't pulled the fuse or don't have a steering lock at all. So really, it's both yes and no :tup:

After I pulled my fuse, I gained 20 HP and my wiener got bigger. The resale value on my home went up too. No difference in start times though.

Then you definitely outdated. The new Nissan SLU Gen D unit gains 50 HP out of the box. No pulling fuse required. It sounds badazz too.:tup:

Obligatory :pics: or :gtfo2: post.

Where's my peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

Thanks for posting this..i thought it was just me..

I design embedded systems for a living. Along with the diagnostics theory, I think the CPU is probably not getting the proper signal and then sending retry/reset commands to the steering lock. It probably performs several retries before it times out and then declares the steering lock unresponsive and skips it in the startup routine. I can tell you automotive and safety CPUs are always running diagnostics, all the time, so I'm less likely to believe diagnostics are the sole cause of the extra delay.