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

fierro

@DEPointfiveo0 --

Why do I need to pull the fuse while the car is running? Is that because it will stay broken if I don't (i.e, stay in a 'locked' state)?

What would happen if I just open up the fuse box and pull the SLU fuse? According to this video, it would work, but the guy puts his car in ACC mode before pulling the fuse, which I can not even get to. I can't get my Z into AC or ACC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CkQEE0OIPU

fierro

Awesome, thanks for the answer.

fierro

Just wanted to post here as well, it looks like there is a recall for 09-10 370Zs for this specific issue. Should be covered 100%, although from the comments in various threads sometimes the consumer affairs department gives you a hassle

*Voluntary Service Campaign ** Steering Lock Fix**

Zbrah

Good luck with that.

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Alienpoker

‘09 370Z Nismo owner with the same problem and a few tips.
I got the dreaded Yellow key when driving, and as it went away later, I STUPIDLY ignored it.
Parked my Z at Uni yesterday, and it would Not start after class. Yellow Lock icon. No Acc. No On. Nothing. But my steering wasn’t locked. I was confused. Even more annoying, every-time you open the doors, the window drops down & there’s no way to get them to go back up. Dealership only wanted it towed to them, claimed ignorance of any of these problems (I know the same revision parts were recalled (of free replaced on the Altima) for the same years. So now I have a non-starting Z, and I can’t leave it locked. Great. Called AAA and towed it home to look at it the next day. Needed tools. The fix today:
1. Beat on the Steering Wheel lock box with a rubber mallet as suggested. Nothing.
2. Pulled off the plastic panel under steering wheel, disconnected all wiring except hood release to get it out of the way.
3. Used small wire cutters to take out the break off bolts.
4. Could see the lock was disengaged, but not all the way down. I used a screwdriver to push it down while pressing start. Got Acc, On & it starts.
5. While in Acc mode, pulled the steering lock fuse & buttoned everything back up.
6. Replacement screws are M8 1.25 and 20 or 25mm.

I’m hoping it will not reoccur, but if it does, at least I know what it is and can do a field fix.
I’m not planning to replace the part or cut it open at this point in hopes Nissan will replace these units. According to the above thread, they did issue a voluntary recall including 09-10 370Z, but claimed not to know about it.

Alienpoker

Update: Nissan customer service claims there are no recalls for my model and year - 2009 370Z Nismo. They suggested I could pay ‘out of pocket’ to fix it at the Stealership. Yeah, right. I think I’ll live with no steering lock.
To recalibrate the window fault I was getting:
1. Open window all the way down, close them and hold the button in the up position for 5sec more. Check the auto up function and open closing the door is working again. Do the same on the passenger side. Done.

Alienpoker

OK so I spent 20 Mins with a Nissan USA regional service advisor. He basically told me to pay for the repair out of pocket at the obscene Nissan dealer prices. He refused to reimburse me for any expense.

My plan after doing *lots* of searching about the repairs they ARE doing to the “2009-2010 Nissan Altima, Altima Coupe, Altima Hybrid, and Maxima vehicles“
ESCL-Service-Campaign
Is to now is to buy this part:
It replaces the lock with a blank box (no lock no motor, probably no switches) which talks to the BCM =>ECU so the car starts, but it no longer can LOCK the steering wheel.it always tells the car “everything is good to go”. This is the genuine fix Nissan is doing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Ignitio...e/352226882999
Part costs like $70... Yay! ...and yes it did say it fits my vehicle when I entered my 370Z Nismo details. Part number is: 48708-9N00A if the above link is gone to the deal. The internet lasts forever and links and people die.

This should fix the problem for anyone with the LATER 48700-JF00D (e.g. D or E) failing and in a way that you “can’t just pull the fuse”. Which happened to me. Remember: If you cant get to ACC then pulling the steering lock fuse does noting.

And BTW if they did replace your unit with a revD or Maybe even E... these will fail as well over time. So pull the fuse or buy the cheater harness for the ‘brown wire’. Do it now. I hope this post will help someone.

BTW- On a safety note.. I’m not into hacking open the old part and soldering switch pads closed. Although some have done that as a fix, it’s not to be recommended as you can buy a Genuine Nissan “ESCL delete box” for $75. I would never want to fear a steering lock could fail somehow and lock the steering wheel at a critical moment. Can you believe they won’t replace a part that costs $70 retail and takes them like half an hour to provide customer good will? What are they thinking?

I used to think my 370Z was ‘dependable’ and that Nissan offered ‘Customer Service’ to their car owners. Do they need someone to have a horrible accident before they address this as a safety Recall on ALL Nissan Vehicles with ANY rev of the ESCL steering lock installed? ‘nuf said.
Best of luck to all Nissan owners. You’ll need it.

LennyK

Thank You For This Information - I Pulled My Fuse But It's Nice To Have Options

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whittier

My lock failed over the weekend and taking a hammer to the mechanism did not disengage the lock. I removed the steering lock mechanism, reattached the harness to the mechanism and had my father in law hold the mechanism and press the movable part from the top, down with a screwdriver. I then pressed the start button, the radio turned on and ACC was displayed on the start button. I immediately removed the steering lock fuse from the the compartment within the battery area then started the car. Thankfully this worked for me. The car starts and I'm confident that I will not have to deal with this again........

If your steering lock mechanism's top part can be pushed down, this disengages the steering lock and give's you the opportunity to remove the fuse.
Don't forget to attach the wire harness when doing this and this is a 2 person job.

Good Luck!