No need to keep the car all day. It's a 20 minute job. 30 if the mechanic is slow.

1/20/2014 - My car would not start this morning. The "key" light all the way to the left lights up (NOT the one that tells you there isn't a key in the car).

I can open the doors and hatch just fine (lock/unlock) but cannot start my car. I tried both keys and tried putting them in the port on the dash.

My dealer (Stadium Nissan in Orange CA) says that there is no recall announcement on my VIN (2010 Z). I am getting the car towed to the dealer tomorrow morning and they will diagnose the problem. The service writer I always deal with says that if their tech says it's the steering lock, they will be happy to call Nissan and see if we can get it covered (my car is out of warranty).

I got stranded like this a few weeks ago. I gave the steering lock module a few good hits and it started right up.

I went straight to the dealer and they found it wasnt done.

Happened to me tonight (Sat, 1130 pm) coming home from work, stopped to get gas..then got in, got the light, and wouldn't start :( warrenty tow service to Stadium Nissan. Have to wait till Monday to see when they can get it done.

Update: Stadium Nissan did NOT have the part on hand. They said I have to wait till tomorrow for them to get it in and then it would still take 3-4 hours to complete the repair. I called Connell Nissan (where I bought the car from) and they have 9 but they are assigned by VIN to other cars. Anyone know if this is true?

took me 15min to do the swap... and have a working spare in the trunk at all times. :D

just called and checked they said the previous owner had it fixed a month before a bought the car. im glad i don't have to deal with that now, i remembered him saying he had to take it to the dealer but i couldn't remember what it was for

even though it has been "fixed" it may eventually fail again. only way to prevent this is to pull the fuse or cut the wire (see Kenchan's diy).

my diy was to swap the steering lock itself... this triggered the other permanent solutions later on as we later found even RevD died after the recall, and some folks didnt want to pay $500 for the lock itself prior to the recall. :D

the brown wire cut diy was done by fritz.
also another option, the fuse pull diy was done by baer and daisuke.

South Florida 2010 370z Steering Lock Failure
 

Hey guys, Kinda new here. Joined back in May however I just recently ran into this steering lock failure yesterday. I was at work and paid to have it towed to Naples Nissan on Pine Ridge. The car is just recently out of warranty and they want $1,300+ to repair their defective part. Is there anyone I can talk to in order to get this taken car of the right way? Where Nissan owns up to their failure and responsibility?

-Alec Whitehead

IIRC, it is covered under a TSB or recall. Call other dealers until you find one that knows what they are doing. You may be able to get the ESCL into the unlocked position by beating on it. If you get it free, pull the fuse. See link in my sig for more info.

I see you have a 2010 Z. I think there's a possibility you have the Rev D steering lock. This is the lock used to replace the one for vehicles listed in the recall and the one used until some point during the 2011 or 2012 model year when they got rid of it entirely in the US models. Unfortunately, Rev D is still prone to failure - there were several recorded instances of it happening on this forum even prior to the recall being issued.

If you do have a Rev D model, SouthArk is right: your best bet is to beat on the unit to try to get it to unlock and then pull the fuse. His signature link should have all the info you need.

If you have an older version of the ESCL, then you probably fall under the recall. Tell the dealer to quit being stupid and double check whether your VIN is part of the recall.

I no longer have a 370 so I can't run out in the garage to check, but, IIRC, you can see the ESCL label if you stick you head down in the footwell and look up. If you have a rev D unit, as per JARblue, Nissan won't fix it for free ( :shakes head: ) If it's a rev C or older, they are supposed to take care of it.

Whatever the outcome, I highly recommend that you disable the lock motor ASAP. I suggest pulling the fuse (what I did to my '09). If you don't mind cutting "The Brown Wire", that's an easier job. See link in sig for more than you really want to know about 370Z ESCLs. There's even a repair/rebuild DIY, if you are so inclined.

I just went outside to take a look for myself (and maybe snap a photo of the label) and realized my Z is at the dealer this morning lol

So far I have talked to Naples Nissan and they wont budge. The car will have to remain there for now. I called Nissan Corporate and they told me the Regional Manager will be in touch with me before the end of tomorrow's business day. I called another local Nissan Dealer and talked with the head of the service department and he was much more knowledgable and polite. He informed me that the VIN doesnt fall in the range of vehicles affected by the service bulletin but that doesnt mean that someone higher up cant grant "good will" and have the dealership repair it free of charge. Im already in the hole with towing and diagnostics, theres no way I want to spend $1,300 more. I'd hate to have to threaten an email to the CEO Mr. Ghosm, talk to the local media, and maybe legal action. Come on Nissan...

And about the hitting the module, I tried with my palm as well as the wheel locknut and it remained unresponsive. I would love for it to come out of this state then I would just pull the 10amp fuse. Thatd be easy as pie...

Thanks for the input fellas. Does anyone know of any other way to get it out of lock mode? I would really prefer just getting it fixed then cutting the brown wire so it doesnt happen again. Sad at 68k Miles she was running like a dream and now she wont even turn on and they are holding me hostage for 1300 bucks.