I guess I missed that one. Thanks for the update. I can scratch that off the list of SLU fuse-related problems. Which leaves a null set. :)

Has anybody discovered a pattern for when the pauses occur?

Not that I have seen posted, IMO I think it is just a delay with the computer getting everything going. People are just expecting it to start instantly but sometimes it might run another test through the program just to double check before it all fires up.

In this thread alone, I count 39 SLU failures.
Edit 2012-12-11 1830:
Checked a few more topics and the count is up to 50. You can FTP the latest list in OpenOffice SS format (.ods) by using the link at the bottom of the first post at Links to posts about Steering Wheel Lock

Edit: Report column is the forum system POST number and does not refer to any NTHSA filing (or anything else).

Failed today. 2009 Touring. 44k. :(

Really helps show how many of us ran into this problem. Nice work!

:iagree: :tup: good job SouthArk370Z! +1repped

Ok, I'm not sure if this situation I've had lately is due to removing the steering lock fuse..

I have a REV C lock on my 09 Z. I'm guessing the original owner had it replaced. Just to be safe, I removed the fuse a couple months ago.

Since I removed the fuse, I get the long pause probably 1 out of every 4 starting attempts. Its anywhere from about 3-4 second long. I haven't really been concerned about it since it starts no matter what.

Lately I've had this recurring problem. I would say 1 in 5 start attemps. I push the start button and the "no key" message pops up on the dash. Replaced the batteries in the FOB and still occurs. I put the FOB into the port and it starts everytime. Sometimes if I get the "no key" message, if I press the unlock button on the FOB and then press the start button a second time it will start no problem.

Also, when I do use the FOB port to start, once the car starts and I take the key out of the port the "no key" warning starts coming up for about 30 sec and then it goes away like everything is fine. If I shut the engine off, and then try to start it again most of the time it will start no problem without using the key port. Not sure whats going on here and not sure if it was related to do with the steering lock or because I removed the fuse.

Thanks! I'm up to 50 now. If you're interested, there's a link to the most-up-to-date spreadsheet at the bottom of Links to posts about Steering Wheel Lock

With people disabling it, how do we get a true picture of how many actually failed?

We don't :(

ALL of them would fail given enough time...

Mine just did this past week, now its in the shop with a 1000 dollar bill waiting on me. Wish i would have caught this sooner. It happened to be around the same time i was flashing my ecu but it was just a coincidence.

Just happened to me today. Drove to work and at lunch time I couldn't get it to start. 2009 base 6mt with approx 36,000miles

That sucks. Sell me your Datsun. Thanks.

I know, but it would be nice to have let say a thousand of them fail and start a class action against Nissan. I guess the good news is that majority of us had it replaced under warranty

I agree. We need a number how many people actually failed at how many miles so we can do something about it.

BTW, is this issue covered under the drivetrain or powertrain?

Edit: This thread should have a poll.

Working on it. See link to spreadsheet at bottom of Links to posts about Steering Wheel Lock. Count is up to 57 reported SLU failures on this site.


Edit: Count is up to 77. Time for me to crash. Back at it in the AM.

Its covered under the 3 year/36000 mile bumper to bumper warranty

This is one reason that I will never be buying a Nissan ever again

I'm just over the warranty and mine failed. Had to get the car towed. It was in the dealership a week and ended up with a $1,300 bill

I called up Nissan and filed a claim, they said there might be something they could do about it (as in cover the cost). This is not a wear and tear issue, it's a faulty part that is notorious on 2009 and 2010 cars as evident here. But of course, Nissan never issued a recall.

So after a few weeks they get back to me and say they won't pay for it because of "my loyalty to Nissan". My loyalty to Nissan? I've babied my car and have taken it to the dealership for everything. I've spent $5k to $6k on all of the services, oil changes, and tires. I told her this and she started to get very rude with me. Questioning my "loyalty to Nissan" was the final straw.

I'm disgusted with Nissan and they just lost a big customer. I was considering buying a GT-R but now I'm going to buy a 911. I'll make sure everyone knows about this too. It's a shame, because other than that the Z is a nice car but I refuse to do business with someone who treats their customers so poorly.

RE: they won't pay for it because of "my loyalty to Nissan".

Do they mean Lack of loyalty? What are they saying?

Yes, lack of loyalty which I don't understand. She wouldn't give me any other details.

I was one of the first people to buy the 370 when it came out, and recommended it to a lot of people who would come up to me and ask about the car saying that they were thinking about buying one. I kept up on all the services and oil changes and replaced the tires 3 times at the dealership. So you can understand when they suddenly get rude and give me their reason of denying the claim because of some vague excuse of "lack of loyalty" it's like a kick in the face. This shows that I'm just a number to them, they don't care about their customer, so I refuse to give them any more of my business. I made that clear to them on the phone but obviously they still didn't care.

If there is ever a class action suit over this, which there should be, I'll join in

The 370 is going to be my last Nissan too. I usually have to make multiple trips to the dealership to get any warranty repairs done.

If you guys want to hate Nissan more, check out www.nissan.com and look at the lawsuit info :shakes head:

My local dealership was great with my steering lock failure, but I was still under warrantee - barely. As soon as I got home from the dealer with my new Rev D unit, I pulled the fuse. Won't ever have to worry about it again. :happydance:

AZ

Thanks!:tiphat:

I pulled the fuse for Pintsize tonight :tup:

Just happened to my 2009 370Z Sport Touring at 55K miles. Manufactured 11/2008. Not sure of the version of the box in my car. I'll post it later if I can remember.

you da man, mr.jar! :tup:

:woot:

Wow... so much credit for something so easy :icon17: :tiphat:

2010 Roadster 7AT touring. Mine just failed at 35500 miles. I was out of town visiting friends and got stuck an extra day. Luckily I had 500 miles left on my warranty.

Very cool.

mine too failed 39,XXXmi 09 lucked out so to speak though dealership replaced for $536 after having car towed and being there for a week :(

How long do I have?
 

Yesterday I went to start my '09 with 22k and got the dreaded...NO START for the first time. After getting out of the car and getting back in, I tried it again and it started. Question, how long before I won't be able to start it at all, i.e can it wait until my next oil change in about a month or so to get it fixed or should I bring it in asap? Also...is the part covered under warranty? Thanks!

Honestly, I would go ahead and pull the fuse for the time being so you aren't stuck stranded; it can go out about anytime from what I have heard. Then simply plug the fuse back in when you take it to the dealer. With that being said, I have heard mixed reports of whether it is covered or not.

My 09 is a little higher mileage (because I drive it everyday) so I just had to be happy with the pulled fuse trick.

Thanks scgolfer7....Mine too is a DD where I put on about 100 miles per day, m-f. I bought mine with 10k last June and already have 22k. Stupid question from someone who is not comfortable playing around with fuses.....what is the process of locating/pulling the fuse or is it just wise to bring it in to Nissan dealership soon? BTW....golf lover here :tup:

If you don't feel comfortable pulling the fuse, buy the harness asap. As a daily driver, your odds are even better to get stuck.

It's a fairly easy job, but if you are uncomfortable doing it, either installing the harness (even a rank amateur can do it; the only "hard" part is unplugging the connector from the SLU) or getting someone to pull the fuse (doesn't have to be a dealer; anyone with a little car experience can do it) are both good options.
As sboden points out, you're chances of SLU failure are pretty high, so do one of the fixes ASAP.

The fuse is in the fuse box next to your battery. Nothing really difficult to get it out other than pulling a few of those black clips out to get to the fuse box, then removing the fuse. If you need anymore help I can get some pictures soon.