DIY: Replace dreaded steering-lock on 2009s and early 2010s.

kenchan

this is a question for AXW and KORRUPT...or anyone that actually took apart a broken steering lock. if we were to just remove the spur gear in the pict below, would this mean we would be removing the root cause of the failing steering lock problem?

we wont have steering lock feature as the motor and pinion will just spin inside, but i think it was the spur gear that was jamming that causes this problem in the first place. any thoughts?

where is the detection pads/pins that sends signal back to the BCM? is it part of the large gear or no?

The big white gear seen on the left...

zero

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This part does not look like 500+ dollars part. The motor got powered, then turn and drive the spur gear, spur gear turned the lock column shaft up or down. The 2 micro switches detected spur gear position and then send signal to BCM.

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kenchan

cool. that was the part i wanted to see in more detail. so you think the oil contaminated the microswitches on the initial GTR recall? could be, huh?

yah, it's probably no more than $35 to make this thing even if it was assembled in the US. service parts have huge margins for the distributor and retailer (dealers).

ChrisSlicks

Should be able to solder bridge the appropriate switch on the backside of the circuit board creating a permanent setting of "unlocked".

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kenchan

i wonder if the "locked" condition is needed for correct shut-down? we dont want the intelligent key icon to show up in the cluster.

ChrisSlicks

Yes the ideal would be to trigger whichever condition it desires based on the pin input signal. The problem is that this would require additional circuitry and always on power (microscopic power drain) to store the current state using a transistor pair. Definitely can be done, and for a lot cheaper than the price of a new lock. If the logic state storage isn't required it will be even simpler, but I haven't had a chance to experiment yet. I guess I will have to buy someone's dead unit since I don't feel like taking apart my working one yet

As a quick fix I think setting it to the always unlocked state would work, but give you the key icon.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

kenchan

Sounds good. But I suppose this is something one must risk doing prior to failure...otherwise same issue with dealing with towing and dealer. Now how many users would risk taking the thing apart while it is still functional is yet another question to consider I suppose.

KORRUPT

Kenchan, you can remove the white plastic gear completely and the actual shaft that the gear moves up and down to lock the steering wheel, as well as the motor really. Obviously you wont be able to lock the steering wheel but who cares the car will start. As for the electronic pins I assume they have to be held down and connected for the car to start by completing the circuit.There is a metal plate inside the white plastic gear that presses the pins down and completes the circuit when it releases the steering lock. I am by no means a electronics wizz and if someone can come up with an easier way to do it than a piece of metal and electrical tape then I say sweeet and I will open mine up again and change it. Hope this made sense.

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