Steering lock problem solved (for real)

weslmac

STEERING LOCK PROBLEM WITH US SPEC Z CAR IN JAPAN

OK, last night I go to get into my car and NOTHING happens I know nothing about this issue with the steering lock. Today I Google and locate all these issues you folks are having and assume this is what has happened to my 09 Z. So I left the car at the office and the next day still nothing. I searched Google and found that I should tap the lock to see if l unlocks so I tap the lock with the tire iron and the car started.

I immediately drive to CarRest (Nissan Car Dealer and repair shop in Zama, Japan) knowing I am in for a long afternoon trying to communicate as I know no Japanese's. My car is US spec and was unaware this was going to be such a big issue. I proceed to explain the situation to the gentleman as we use the internet to translate our conversation.

I am told that even though the Steering lock part number is the same they have no idea if the Japan spec part will work on the US spec car. So they proceed to contact the Nissan Factory to see what would need to be done to make these parts work. The diagnostic tool to reset the Security system is only for Japan spec cars not US.

So as I am trying to communicate a English speaking Japanese gentleman approaches and starts to assist in the conversation after some time I asked him if he worked at the dealership as he was wearing a Nissan uniform. He informed me that he was a production line diagnostic engineer from one of the Nissan factories.

To make a long story short I had him translate and asked if I could leave my car there until we could figure out how to fix this problem because I was not confident that I could get the car started again. Unfortunately CarRest said that was not an option so myself and the English speaking Japanese guy went outside so I could point to the fuse box as I wanted to disable the lock so that I could continue driving the car until a fix in found. I popped the hood of the car pointed to the fuse box and asked if I could just pull the steering lock fuse. He strongly advised me not to do this and crossed his arms telling me this is not an option. Obviously I have no idea why he advised me not to pull the fuse but he was very fast in his response and showed confidence in his knowledge so I did not question him any further on pulling the fuse.

Just wanted to share my story

Baer383

He advised you not to pull the fuse b/c all dealers only fix cars by replacing parts and do not bother to look outside the box to solve problems I should know I worked at a dealer as a mech.

You should have asked him why and if he knew what he was talking about he would be able to explain himself so obviously he couldn't.

__________________
2013 ZL1

754 rwhp 747 rwtq

daisuke149

pull the fuse yourself...

Footloose301

This.

__________________

2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

weslmac

Not being argumentitive here. I was just shareing my experience as others may want to know.

Baer383 just wanted to clerify that he was not connected to the dealership and he did not work for the shop. He overheard our conversation and offered to help with the translation. He was wearing a Nissan uniform and I asked him if he worked for CarRest and that is when I learned he worked at the Nissan production plant.

The discussion about the fuse was outside with only me and my new english speaking friend. This was after I was informed by the dealer that I could not leave my car at the shop. Our discussion was solely based on the fact that I was not comfertable shutting the car off as I didnt know if it would start again. We were discssing ways to disable this lock so that I could use my car until this situation with the lock is resolved trying to avoid a very expensive tow fee. It was in his professional opinion as a Nissan Production Line Diagnostic Engeneer to not pull the fuse. He made it very clear that by pulling the fuse other problems may arrise.

I didnt need any additional information and I was OK with what he said. Why would I question a guy who takes time out of his day to volunteer to help me? I suppose I sould put more confidence in a post on a forum from someone I dont know. Again my belief is this forum is for informational purposes and I apreciate all the information that has been provided on this topic as of 48 hours ago I was not aware of this issue.

At least now I can make an educated decision.

SouthArk370Z

If you want to investigate further, try Links to posts about Steering Wheel Lock or Google "370Z steering lock".

I can understand your concerns about taking advice from someone on the 'Net, but you will find that quite a few ppl on here have removed the fuse, installed the harness, or clipped the wire and reported no problems - it's not just one or two ppl making the claim. That is no guarantee that some problem will not pop up in the future, but, at least for the short term, there doesn't appear to be any ill effects.

Hope that helps.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Blizzard

I pulled my fuse 2 weeks ago. No problems - peace of mind.


Maybe we should start a separate thread with a poll of people who have disabled the lock.

Baer383

You took information from someone you didn't know what the hell is the difference if you took it from this forum?
That a stupid statement when you come on the forum and post on a steering lock problem solving thread but yet take information from a gut who only says that " new problems may arise" and then you were good with that, well you don't know me so I recommend you keep the fuse in.

__________________
2013 ZL1

754 rwhp 747 rwtq

SouthArk370Z

How many of you have pulled the steering lock fuse?

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

weslmac

Baer383 I suppose if I wrote that this NISSAM Production Line Diagnostic Engineer agreed with you we would be best buds. I do value this forum and what members have to say but I do not discredit everyone outside the forum nor do I randomly seek out someone who may disagree with a post on here to stir up a bunch of unnecessary drama. I will keep the fuse as advised.

SouthArk370Z
I agree and if I came off as if I was not grateful for the posts on here I was wrong. The posts saved me a lot of money in repairs by using the harness that was designed on this forum. My intention when I posted my story about the fuse and the Nissan employee was only informational for the group.

Baer383

If you inform Nissan that you are/want to use the harness you will be told the same thing all Manufactures will not recommend anything against their design so if you plan to keep that mentality this forum won't be to much help to you except maybe the car detail section.

__________________
2013 ZL1

754 rwhp 747 rwtq

alcheng

I decided to tackle the Steering Lock Fuse tonight.....


So..........


Step 1)




Step 2) It's quite a pain in the bu!! to take off that plastic cover, and it was more pain in the bu!! to put it back together after....





Step 3) The fuse box... you really have to pull it out slowly with strength... and reach to the bottom of the box to reach to 'tap' to release the cover..





Step 4) Now... this is the part caught me 5000% off guard..... I looked at the fuse diagram, and it states the fuse for the steering lock is the top one of the lower group....

And when I look at the fuse box.. I saw this..... ==>



Step 5) ....

weslmac

BAER383 I am using the harness with confidence from information gathered from this site so the DIY was very helpful. The Z was brought to Japan with the intent of selling it so I don't think you will get the opportunity to be first in line. I think its time for a Skyline

daisuke149

They stopped putting in the steering locks mid 2011 year. so yeah yours probably didnt have it..

easy to tell. turn car off. do you hear it? is the steering locked?

memmott

I know you guys are going to kill me for posting here but the team BAER/DAI have literally saved me from untold misery.

I have had a key light off/on for the last 3 weeks, beating the h### out of my key lock to get it to release. That worked - so far. But time was definitely running out. I started searching for a solution and finally found this thread.

I ran out this morning and after activating ACC removed the fuse you referenced and bingo! Problem solved!

But this is why your going to kick me out of here - it's an '09 Altima. apparently Altimas have exactly the same steering locks and fuse blocks. This part of the wiring (the steering lock part) is exactly the same. With your
permission I would like to spread the word in the Altima forum so they can stop shelling out $850 a pop for these ridiculous devices. (could be that the info is already there but I haven't seen it in that forum yet)

I have to say you guys are incredibly professional and methodical - working out problems in a very team-oriented fashion. Mega REPS to all of you, but especially BAER, DAI and lets not forget FRITZ who really got the ball rolling.

I promise I won't contaminate the forum with any more Altima references!!!