Nissan 370Z Forum - Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional

Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)

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- - Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional (http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-do-yourself/53437-steering-lock-cut-one-wire-switch-optional.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaleForce (Post 1956676)

What revision is you new steering lock?

One can never be too careful :tup:

I have rev D -- the harness is a "just in case" thing.

Got the harness in and finally got time to install it.

Install was easy, but I can't get the lock to disengage and the ACC to activate despite beating the hell out of the mechanism. The wheel turns fine, so could the lock be stuck in the disengaged position or is it normal for the wheel to turn and I should resume the beating?

Going to try some more (fingers crossed!)

EDIT: After some more "tapping" I discovered that one of the security screws was loose. I ended up taking the unit off. The lock was disengaged. I'm thinking about taking the thing apart...

EDIT2: Success!!

The lock, disengaged and removed from the Z, sat on my kitchen table as I poured over messageboard threads looking for a solution. The Internet informed me that the device should work if disengaged properly. Obviously mine was in the unlock position but still wasn't working.

I took it out to the Z and plugged it into the harness. It dangled and spun beneath the steering column, nonfunctional. I noticed some of the nasty yellow grease from the lock was smeared on the white leather seats - the HORROR! Getting a paper towel from the house, I wiped the offending lubricant from the cushion and, in spite, from the lock itself. In doing this I noticed how easily the locking mechanism moved. Out of frustration I grabbed the needle-nose pliers used to remove the second tamper-resistant screw and jammed them in and out of the Lock Set-Steering five or six times. I sighed and pushed the start button.

ACC!

Ecstatic I reached below the wheel and unplugged the red pigtails on the harness, disabling the lock. I started the car. I stopped the car.

I held my breath and pushed the start button once.

ACC!

Hooray!! A quick trip to the gas station to air up the tires and I've started five times now without issue.

Thanks x1000 ($?) to the help in this forum! You guys are amazing!

Six: Thanks for the update and glad everything worked out. Because your lock had already failed or started to fail you certainly appear to have had a little roller-coaster ride there but glad everything is good now.

For anyone reading this is why it is recommended to install the harness (or take other preventative actions) before you have any issues.

Installed the harness today, very easy, especially with the handy instructions that came with. It took a minute or two to get the factory connector off (the clip is fussy), but was a breeze after that. It's a nice touch that bdl99 includes the cable ties, as I didn't have any already on hand. The harness is a "must have" in my opinion, if you are waiting to order, don't, just do it!

I'm biting my finger nails every time I go to start my Z. I ordered the harness last week, it's on the way :tup:

I may have missed something here. But was it not determined that you just had to pull a fuse to keep the lock from re-engaging?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdl99 (Post 1777745)

pros and cons of plug and play harness vs pulling the fuse

plug and play harness

pros:
the easiest and quickest solution to perform where no trim needs to be removed whatsoever

full instructions provided with pictures and a video of the install process

fully reversible, either temporarily via switch or by just removing the harness and returning car to factory state

it only cuts the power to the lock and not the ecu. When pulling the fuse the power is also removed from the ecu. Some have speculated that this has no downside and that appears to be the case except the delays in starting that many have seen.

cons:
it costs $50

pull the fuse:

pros:
there is nothing to buy

it is also reversible - just put the fuse back in

cons:
although straight forward, it is not as quick and easy to install as the harness. Some have broken clips etc and you do need to be careful, but to be completely unbiased many have done this without issues.

as mentioned above it does appear that this solution does sometimes cause delays in starting. There are theories that the ecu will learn and adjusting for this and that might be the case. However, typically with ecus they learn by acquiring data and if that is the case it would normally log that data. The data the ecu would be logging is that it issued a pulse to activate the relay but didn't receive the confirmation via the positive feed from the relay to the ecu. If it is really doing this i would expect this data to be presented/reported when a consult unit is attached by the dealer. To date no one has confirmed if this happens or not.

fyi

Awesome,

Thanks

Mitch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitco39 (Post 1964944)

Awesome,

Thanks

Mitch

No problem. I just got my harness installed and besides having to flip upside down (and get some crazy looks in the parking deck) to get under the steering wheel, the installation is a breeze and a relief.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaleForce (Post 1964890)

I'm biting my finger nails every time I go to start my Z. I ordered the harness last week, it's on the way :tup:

Hope it will arrive soon, I shipped it out the following morning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdl99 (Post 1965448)

Hope it will arrive soon, I shipped it out the following morning.

I'm not worried about it. I expect 2-3 weeks delivery time for anything to get here from the U.S.

Also, I really appreciate what you did with the shipping charge for me. Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bboyeruga (Post 1965070)

I have to admit, I got claustrophobic for a few seconds when I backed in under there head first, but I settled in nicely once I began fighting the factory clip connector :tup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianSoCal (Post 1965971)

I have to admit, I got claustrophobic for a few seconds when I backed in under there head first, but I settled in nicely once I began fighting the factory clip connector :tup:

Yes, helps if you are very bendy.

All the connectors for the AV units and Screen are from the same family of connectors so I've been told I make it look easy. Basically use my nail to hold the clip down and wiggle (that is the technical term I believe)

Would like to purchase a harness LMK mikev281@yahoo.com I can paypal you today :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fritz (Post 1674176)

NEW SITUATION
The locks are becoming a legal requirement in some county or country annual tests.

Bless our legislators.

Fritz

So I dont want to be Debbie Downer here, but if it is a "legal" requirement and your car gets stolen and the insurance company realizes that you made this mod (i.e. maybe the car gets recovered) would this really be a good idea? I'm probably just being paranoid and thinking of a another con to all the pros presented here. Maybe something to consider?