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

AUtigers370z

Figured I would create a master DIY thread for the different steering wheel lock fixes. As most are aware, the steering lock mechanism on 2009/early 2010 models are susceptible to failure leaving the car inoperable until repaired by the dealership. If taken to the dealership, this can be upward of $500 for the fix.

fritz's thread that originally sparked the research for a non-$500 fix..
Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional

bdl99's awesome plug-and-play harness for those that would rather not cut the wire and risk voiding warranty..
Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional
Steering Lock Harness - Car Kit Company

Baer383's fuse removal fix..
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...lved-real.html

rhd's thread on cutting the wire..
Steering Lock: Cutting the Brownie


I opted for cutting the wire. Here is my DIY with pics..


Put the car in ACC (pushed start button once) and listen for the steering lock to disengage. Leave the car in ACC mode while working.

Slide the drivers seat back and place a cloth on the kick panels and one in the floorboard if you'd rather not lay your head on the dirty mats

This is your view from under the steering wheel. Looking up at the lock, the top of the picture faces the front of the car.


Slide the white connector out of the steering lock mechanism.


The brown wire is the one you're after.


Snip the brown wire in half.


Rather than trying to individually wrap each wire, I pressed the harness side wire back against the group and taped it down.


Then pressed the connector side wire against the group and taped it down.


Plug the connector back into the steering lock mechanism.



No more steering lock sound or worry about being stranded!


Would love to get this thread stickied if possible. If anyone else has other information to add to this post, let me know!

Eric

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Ni55anPat

finally, with good pictures. Thanks

AUtigers370z

No problem, pictures always make things easier!

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geddy lee

Don't cut the wire, just remove the 10 amp fuse. I did this yesterday, took me about 10 minutes. No more worries.

Liquid_G

what fuse? sorry for the noob question I haven't followed this issue too closely.

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bfowlzr33

so where is the fuse?? ive been reading different threads ALL day and cant find an explination. Im getting pretty frustrated, after seeing the price of a new steering lock assembly and my z has been sitting at the store ALL day. Also, are there any other sites that sell the steering lock assembly besides courtesy?

D370z

Hello guys anyone help me, i got stranded my car wont start it would just show the key warning nothing more i dont know what to do, i saw the posts to remove the 10 amp fuse but it didnt help because the wheel is locked in the system.

thanks

GaleForce

Some guys have been able to temporarily unlock it by hitting the Steering Lock module. It's worth a try.

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kenny's 370z

put the fuse back in and try and get it to work again.if it does,THEN remove the fuse.gl

bfowlzr33

i tried hitting mine when i got stranded. after it was towed back to my house, i beat the crap outta that thing with a monkey wrench and walla, magic. it unlocked and i immediateley disabled it. so dont just give it a love tap, smash that thing like its about to steal $600 bucks from you!

jsimms243

When you hit it, do you hear it unlock when powered off? Or you to beat it and try every few hits to start again THEN hear it unlock?

Baer383

No you need to have the ignition on when you hit it.

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2013 ZL1

754 rwhp 747 rwtq

bfowlzr33

well if its locked, theres no way you have the ignition on when you hit it so i dont know what the other guy was talking about ^^^

open the door, but dont try pushing the start button. take a heavy tool like a wrench or something and smack the crap out of it about 5 good times and then put your foot in the clutch and push the start button. it should unlock. if it doesnt unlock you can get back out of the car, close the door and repeat the process. if you even get it to do anything (start or just acc) thats when you can cut the brown wire in the bundle that is plugged into the part that you where banging on. i know it sounds complicated but its worth a try to save lots of cash bro

bfowlzr33

and btw, if you do hear it unlock, it wont be while your hitting it, it will be as soon as you press the start button. and DO NOT TURN THE CAR OFF if you get it to start or unlock until you have disabled the lock in one of the two ways mentioned (pulling the fuse, or cutting brown wire)

tranzloop

Hi, I now have this problem with my 2011 Roadster (auto) at 34,000.

It seems to have failed before the lock 'locked' so I was able to steer the car into my garage from the driveway where it failed. For that I am thankful as the roadster windows drop an inch when you open the door and close when you shut the door....except they don't in this scenario. They just drop an inch each time so having got in and out of the car several times the driver side window was open with no way of closing it.


So, in a nice dry garage I have just knocked seven shades of shite out of the box with a hammer and no luck getting to Acc(essory) mode. So I wondered if, given that I am one of the 'lucky' ones just pulling the fuse might help. It didn't. So the fuse is back in and I have tried the hammer a few more times without success.

I have found a video of a Canadian guy who discovered that shorting the pink wire connector to the chassis allowed him to get to Acc mode and therefore, remove the fuse. I am going to give this a go later. I'll post the result and the video if successful.

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370Z Roadster (2011) & MB R350 CDI (2011)
Yamaha VMAX (1999) & BMW K1300S (2010)