DIY: 2009 - 2010 Steering Wheel Lock Fix w/ Pics!

Baer383 · 01-11-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bondfire

By "if you can't get it to open" do you mean if you can't get the pin to disengage or do you mean physically getting the box open?
Edit: Reason I ask is cause mine is currently stuck and I'm trying to do everything possible before buying a new part.

I mean taking the SL apart, if you tryed everything and still no start you can take the SL off and try to push the locking plunger back with some pliers if it doesn't move then you can try to open it and get the plunger back so it makes contact which the micro switches put it back together plug it back in and try and start it if it starts bolt the SL in and while the car is still running take the fuse out.

SouthArk370Z · 01-11-2013, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bondfire

By "if you can't get it to open" do you mean if you can't get the pin to disengage or do you mean physically getting the box open?
Edit: Reason I ask is cause mine is currently stuck and I'm trying to do everything possible before buying a new part.

First thing to try is beating on the SLU - some ppl have had luck with a good whack with a fist, others have had to beat the crap out of it. Doesn't always work.
Next, try removing the SLU and push the locking pin to the fully retracted position. This may make the microswitches.
Lastly, disassemble the SLU, verify switch operation, and reassemble in fully retracted position.
If none of those three work, you will have to buy a new SLU.

Baer383 · 01-11-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

First thing to try is beating on the SLU - some ppl have had luck with a good whack with a fist, others have had to beat the crap out of it. Doesn't always work.
Next, try removing the SLU and push the locking pin to the fully retracted position. This may make the microswitches.
Lastly, disassemble the SLU, verify switch operation, and reassemble in fully retracted position.
If none of those three work, you will have to buy a new SLU.

You know I just said that right?

SouthArk370Z · 01-11-2013, 03:54 PM

You must have posted about the same time I started editing. You beat me to the punch.

HandnPantz · 01-13-2013, 05:46 PM

Can the car be running when you do this? Mine recently didn't work until I beat it with a hammer but I'm scared I turn it off before doIng this. Please respond quickly

Baer383 · 01-13-2013, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HandnPantz

Can the car be running when you do this? Mine recently didn't work until I beat it with a hammer but I'm scared I turn it off before doIng this. Please respond quickly

If the car is running pull the fuse and you are good.

HandnPantz · 01-14-2013, 05:01 PM

dude it was crazy it locked up on me, so I banged the thing with a hammer pulled the wires out of the steering lock and copped the brown guys head clean off. Car works perfectly now.

Kamus · 01-19-2013, 04:39 PM

Guys, my steering wheel locked died on me, so now the car won't start.
Now, the "good" news is that it died with the lock disengaged, so i can actually move the steering wheel.
I saw that removing the fuse would disable the lock, so i did that. The problem is the car still won't start even though i also disconnected the battery.
Can anyone point me in the right direction here? Because i don't want to shell out 500 bucks for another steering lock that is doomed to fail anyway (car is out of warranty). And i figured since the steering lock is disengaged, might as well just disable the thing for good.

Thanks in advance!

bmarcinczyk14 · 01-21-2013, 03:02 PM

Cutting that wire will void the warranty? I still have about 6 months of warranty left. How would the dealership ever find out unless they purposely look underneath the steering lock and undo the wire tape?

fritz · 01-27-2013, 06:09 PM

Reply to Kamus:

Almost certainly not a lock problem. Engine probably died...steering went stiff...but can now be turned.
Batt re-connected firmly should have done no real harm other than windows programming (owners manual).
Standard test procedures should reveal the problem but:
Does the starter turn the motor? Do the lights go dim? Does a batt terminal get hot after trying to start. Is batt at 12V +? Does it start by a different procedure like foot on brake in N? ....and many more ...

After that, deal with the steering lock, maybe. Harness is best and quickest, but costs a bit. Add a switch to it if car theft is a problem. You can then immobilise the car at will to reject its own or a cloned key.

Fritz

Baer383 · 01-27-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamus

Guys, my steering wheel locked died on me, so now the car won't start.
Now, the "good" news is that it died with the lock disengaged, so i can actually move the steering wheel.
I saw that removing the fuse would disable the lock, so i did that. The problem is the car still won't start even though i also disconnected the battery.
Can anyone point me in the right direction here? Because i don't want to shell out 500 bucks for another steering lock that is doomed to fail anyway (car is out of warranty). And i figured since the steering lock is disengaged, might as well just disable the thing for good.

Thanks in advance!

More than likely your steering lock disengaged just enough to unlock the wheel but it fully disengaged in order for the micro switches inside to close.

akmofo · 01-28-2013, 12:37 PM

I wrote up my own guide on a workaround in mine. Mine was the same situation when I took it out. The lock was disengaged, but not completely in the lowered position to hit the buttons that tell the engine it's ok to start.

DIY - Steering lock internals workaround for those whose locks have already failed.

palmer302 · 04-24-2013, 08:49 PM

Thanks to all for this thread.
My wife's 09 Altima had this problem, but the steering wheel could be moved. I pulled the fuse and no change. Then I beat the tar out of the lock under the dash and it started working.After cycling the car on off a few times I then left it in the acc position and pulled the fuse. No more problem

Thanks for saving me $500+, a trip to the dealer and a unhappy wife.

wind.zero · 01-05-2016, 07:43 PM

Well my bad I did not cut the wire or the pull the fuse already. Mine **** the bed yesterday and nothing has allowed me to start the stupid car.

And I had the D version of the lock on a 2011. FU Nissan

I took the lock apart and tried the circuit board with the switches depressed and no dice. FU Nissan.

I guess I will have to order the part from FU Nissan.

bkunzi01 · 03-21-2017, 10:11 AM

The Fuse pull worked for me! The ESCL had already locked and I couldn't start the car. Used the "beat the lock with a hammer" approach and it kicked right into AC lol. Then just pulled the fuse and good to go! Can't believe it was so easy.

01-11-2013, 03:54 PM	#34 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	You must have posted about the same time I started editing. You beat me to the punch. Baer383 likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

01-14-2013, 05:01 PM	#37 (permalink)
HandnPantz Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Riverton Posts: 73 Drives: Nissan 370z BLK M6 Rep Power: 14	dude it was crazy it locked up on me, so I banged the thing with a hammer pulled the wires out of the steering lock and copped the brown guys head clean off. Car works perfectly now. Sidz likes this.

01-19-2013, 04:39 PM	#38 (permalink)
Kamus Base Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: El Paso Posts: 29 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 14	I need help... Guys, my steering wheel locked died on me, so now the car won't start. Now, the "good" news is that it died with the lock disengaged, so i can actually move the steering wheel. I saw that removing the fuse would disable the lock, so i did that. The problem is the car still won't start even though i also disconnected the battery. Can anyone point me in the right direction here? Because i don't want to shell out 500 bucks for another steering lock that is doomed to fail anyway (car is out of warranty). And i figured since the steering lock is disengaged, might as well just disable the thing for good. Thanks in advance!

01-21-2013, 03:02 PM	#39 (permalink)
bmarcinczyk14 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 505 Drives: 2010 370z 6spd Sport Rep Power: 17	Cutting that wire will void the warranty? I still have about 6 months of warranty left. How would the dealership ever find out unless they purposely look underneath the steering lock and undo the wire tape? fritz likes this.

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01-13-2013, 05:46 PM	#35 (permalink)
HandnPantz Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Riverton Posts: 73 Drives: Nissan 370z BLK M6 Rep Power: 14	Can the car be running when you do this? Mine recently didn't work until I beat it with a hammer but I'm scared I turn it off before doIng this. Please respond quickly

01-27-2013, 06:09 PM	#40 (permalink)
fritz Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Andorre Posts: 90 Drives: 2010 370Z M6 Rep Power: 16	Reply to Kamus: Almost certainly not a lock problem. Engine probably died...steering went stiff...but can now be turned. Batt re-connected firmly should have done no real harm other than windows programming (owners manual). Standard test procedures should reveal the problem but: Does the starter turn the motor? Do the lights go dim? Does a batt terminal get hot after trying to start. Is batt at 12V +? Does it start by a different procedure like foot on brake in N? ....and many more ... After that, deal with the steering lock, maybe. Harness is best and quickest, but costs a bit. Add a switch to it if car theft is a problem. You can then immobilise the car at will to reject its own or a cloned key. Fritz

01-28-2013, 12:37 PM	#42 (permalink)
akmofo Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 22 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 12	I wrote up my own guide on a workaround in mine. Mine was the same situation when I took it out. The lock was disengaged, but not completely in the lowered position to hit the buttons that tell the engine it's ok to start. DIY - Steering lock internals workaround for those whose locks have already failed.

04-24-2013, 08:49 PM	#43 (permalink)
palmer302 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Lafayette IN Posts: 1 Drives: 09 Altima Rep Power: 12	Thanks to all for this thread. My wife's 09 Altima had this problem, but the steering wheel could be moved. I pulled the fuse and no change. Then I beat the tar out of the lock under the dash and it started working.After cycling the car on off a few times I then left it in the acc position and pulled the fuse. No more problem Thanks for saving me $500+, a trip to the dealer and a unhappy wife.

01-05-2016, 07:43 PM	#44 (permalink)
wind.zero Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The 49th State Posts: 296 Drives: NISMOSIS Rep Power: 14	Well my bad I did not cut the wire or the pull the fuse already. Mine **** the bed yesterday and nothing has allowed me to start the stupid car. And I had the D version of the lock on a 2011. FU Nissan I took the lock apart and tried the circuit board with the switches depressed and no dice. FU Nissan. I guess I will have to order the part from FU Nissan.

03-21-2017, 10:11 AM	#45 (permalink)
bkunzi01 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY Age: 38 Posts: 66 Drives: 2009 370z Rep Power: 185	The Fuse pull worked for me! The ESCL had already locked and I couldn't start the car. Used the "beat the lock with a hammer" approach and it kicked right into AC lol. Then just pulled the fuse and good to go! Can't believe it was so easy.