i dont know, but if one uses the steering wheel as a handle to get in/out of the car i think it could stress the steering lock.

This theory actually makes sense

Funny that you mention this. Ever since I've seen all these stories I've been making sure I have the steering set before turning the car off. Then being my wheel removes I don't have to worry about stress from getting in and out.

:icon17: :tup:

I thought someone might like that.

I don't get it

I have a aftermarket steering wheel with quick release.

:rofl2:

Mine has around 8,300 miles 2009 and looks like I'm the next victim. The Intelligent Key system warning light just lighted up.

:shakes head:

your next Stig:icon23:

Nope. Because racecar.

:iagree:

I just got :owned:

papo- sorry to hear. are you sure it's the steering lock? did you try unplugging it, tapping it, etc to see if it unlocks?

if you can get it to unlock (per fritz's diy) if you cut the brown wire on the harness side it appears to kill the steering-lock's motor in the unlocked state for good. you wont have the steering lock feature, but it appears you wont have to deal with it any more.

we dont know the long-term effects though..

Well the car starts for now, so I'm NOT sure but for all I have read those are the symptoms. :confused:

The owners manual in pg 2-10 says that
" Intelligent Key system warning light
After the ignition switch is pushed to the ON position, this light comes on for about 2 seconds and then turns off. This light warns of a malfunction with the electrical steering lock system or the Intelligent Key system. If the light comes on while the engine is stopped, it may be impossible to free the steering lock or to start the engine. If the light comes on while the engine is running, you can drive the vehicle. However in these cases, contact a NISSAN dealer for repair as soon as possible.

Already made an appointment for first thing Monday morning with the dealer, hopefully it will make it there Monday.

papo- sounds good. as long as you can drive your car there, :tup:

Took the car to the dealer this morning. Once I started the car this morning the key light went off.

Anyway I took it to the dealer since I had already made an appointment and they found another fault other than the Steering Lock. It was about an intermittent open circuit of the clutch pedal position switch and "supposdley" that was the issue. :confused: Don't remember the code right now because I'm at work. But I'll posted later.

They fixed that fault according to the paperwork...

papo- yah, i do remember another member posting about his clutch switch going bad. hope you get that fixed and hope that the dealer replaces the steering lock anyway looking at the DIY and problems associated with the RevA and RevB (and some RevC's).

They did not mention anything about the steering lock even that I quoted the page number, made the point several times and what it said about when the key light came on in the owner's manual.

Will see because they are going to catch hell from me if that was the real issue and they didn't troubleshooted right.

Anyway I got a few friends trying to find out if thier local dealer has them in stock. Thanks!

NOTE: The code they found was B261F, if anyone can verify this?

It hurt in the pockect but for a peace of mind going to ZdayZ, priceless! :tup:

Thanks Lou!

looks like papo gotz some j-food! :tup: way da go.

He's not the only one, and I have a RevC. Just not willing to chance it.

2010 - 12000 miles - C version, 7at, started having this problem. After i pressed the start button, it the car was about to start up (it was like starting a half way) , and it stopped. After a few tries, it started up again. I just had oil change last month, nissan checked the the battery and the battery was fine. Do you guys think it has the steering wheel lock problem? Need your advise. Thanks

Not the steering lock... If it was it wouldnt even turn over at all. Make sure you hold the starT button until it starts all the way up. Dont just push it and let it go, that might be the problem

Has the KEY LIGHT show up in the round part of the left gauge cluster?

Steering Wheel lock Failure
 

Mine just failed...2009 6MT Base Model...48,000 miles...$1200 repair at Nissan dealership

kind of glad I bought that extended warranty now for my 09.
The cost of the warranty will cover that repair it self.

Were you following the threads about the issue and/or aware that there was a possibility of this part failing ?
It seems that a contributing factor is the number of cycles that the lock mechanism has gone through which certainly makes sense. The older the car, the higher the chance of failure. If you were aware that it might fail and you didn't perform one of the preemptive fixes like removing the fuse or spending $50 for the bypass harness you could have saved $1200 and the aggravation.
If you were completely unaware of the problem until it happened, you have our condolences.

I pulled my 2009's fuse last month. I have the extended warranty but the thought of driving hundreds of miles from home and have to deal with this is not worth the theft prevention aspect.

I'd love it to blow and have it properly repaired while at the dealership, while in for a service. I have Murphy's Law on my side so I preempted it.

Mine went out yesterday...had to have it towed to the dealership. Of course it's out of warranty...43,000 miles. I have a 2009 with touring sport and navigation packages. Spent too much money on this car for it to have such expensive problems. Was quoted $852.00 for the repair and will take a couple days for the part to come in...a little less of a Nissan fan today :-(

5K on ours. Normally just weekend driving. Going to buy the by-pass kit unless there is a general recall on the steering lock.

I think if it fails the bypass wont help you? Someone correct me if Im wrong?

You need to install the bypass before the steering lock fails.

Refer later to "steering lock cut one wire: switch optional" thread

If, by any means, you can get the car started...see Kenchan's advice how to which includes ...and/or:
Shake the steering while attempting to start
Turn on/off other elec circuits
Operate windows or lights or both,
Tap gently (but mechanically) the lock while doing the above
Add a battery as if you are going to jump start
Do anything to agitate that lock to "do it" one more time and even,
Dis the battery for a few minutes...then re-try the above (Tho you have now lost your window and radio station settings..no big deal).

IF you have got the car to start...do NOT turn it off....If you do then do NOT
get out of the car with the ignition on lock.

Now snip that brown wire: as shown on the thread at the start above.
Problem solved for no cost, but no steering lock.


IF a nogo:
IF you are 100% sure it is the steering lock, remove it (kenchan again who rightly says pliers undo the two thief -proof bolts).

Then admit it is useless and e-mail me for instructions to dismantle it (using your own e-mail address and name). ...

Then there's an excellent chance of fixing it internally but never to be used again as a lock ...... or even fixed 100%, if lucky.

If the lock itself is mechanically dud, the electronics probably are not ..... again I can help.

In all cases you need a few good tools.

Fritz

Why wait for a disaster...Just ordered the bypass harness!

I wouldn't even trust one of the later Rev. C marked locks. At minimum, everyone should remove the fuse as described in a very helpful thread. I didn't like that idea and opted for the harness, installation took just a few minutes and it's also well illustrated in a thread. My '09 only has 27K miles but the warranty expired last month. I would be seriously PISSED if stranded and had to pay $850-$1200 to replace a $500 part (which is ridiculous in itself) plus towing charges. Chances are very good that the part WILL fail, the more lock/unlock cycles it goes through the higher the chances.
Nissan is not going to do a TSB or recall, pull the fuse or spend $50 for the harness and put your mind at ease.:tiphat:

what is the bypass harness that u are talking about? are u talking about this one ?Steering Lock Harness - Car Kit Company because If u are talking about it, Im going to by it too then. I dont want the the steering lock failure happen to my car :tiphat:

Just got the bad news today. I have a 2009 with about 40k miles and the unit is a rev B. I read the DIY thread, but didn't see the photos and am wondering if I should try to tackle this myself as the dealer wants $1,245. Anyone out there done the DIY? Was it really that easy and only 15 minutes? Any pics or advice would be very much appreciated.

Just to clarify, I don't believe cutting the wire, buying the harness, or removing the fuse (what I did) will help if your steering lock has already failed. They're more preventative measures. I have had the fuse out for 4 months now with no issues but my car was running fine when I decided to do that.

My lock failed earlier this year -- it was a Rev C.