Steering lock problem solved (for real)

KaienZ34 · 06-04-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daylaZ

General question about the steering lock issue. Does the problem occur before a certain amount of miles or can it happen at any time during the life cycle of the car? For instance I was wondering you bought a 2009 370Z above XX,XXX miles you would be safe from the lock. Also, is there anyway to check if the car has had the problem before and been fixed?

Miles or age don't seem to be any sort of indicator as to when or if the lock will fail. Just for example, i had my car since new the beginning of 2009 and now have 8k miles on it and no problems with the lock. I just did the bypass as a preemptive strike.

KingZee · 06-04-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaienZ34

Miles or age don't seem to be any sort of indicator as to when or if the lock will fail. Just for example, i had my car since new the beginning of 2009 and now have 8k miles on it and no problems with the lock. I just did the bypass as a preemptive strike.

pretty much...mine's an '09 that I've owned since new and I have close to 30k miles. My lock hasn't failed yet. I removed the fuse preemptively as well.

kenchan · 06-05-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daylaZ

General question about the steering lock issue. Does the problem occur before a certain amount of miles or can it happen at any time during the life cycle of the car? For instance I was wondering you bought a 2009 370Z above XX,XXX miles you would be safe from the lock. Also, is there anyway to check if the car has had the problem before and been fixed?

gtr guys were finding the problem around 18K+. i think ours is about the same, but there is no scientific evidence.

if your lock is working and if you dont have a spare (or dont want to buy one), i recommend you try it before your lock fails at your own risk. it appears the lock failures happen more often in shorter-distance driven cars in colder weather as battery cca is lower.

daylaZ · 06-05-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

gtr guys were finding the problem around 18K+. i think ours is about the same, but there is no scientific evidence.

if your lock is working and if you dont have a spare (or dont want to buy one), i recommend you try it before your lock fails at your own risk. it appears the lock failures happen more often in shorter-distance driven cars in colder weather as battery cca is lower.

Thank for the info, what do you mean by the bold text? Try what exactly?

KaienZ34 · 06-05-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daylaZ

Thank for the info, what do you mean by the bold text? Try what exactly?

Pulling the fuse, installing the bypass plug or getting the version "D" lock.

daylaZ · 06-05-2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaienZ34

Pulling the fuse, installing the bypass plug or getting the version "D" lock.

Thanks. So those are 3 methods to preemptively prevent the steering lock problem from happening? What are the pros/cons of each?

kenchan · 06-05-2012, 01:45 PM

read read read it's all spelled out in the forums.

daylaZ · 06-05-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

read read read it's all spelled out in the forums.

I have been reading, but was just hoping for a quick answer.

Most of the threads I've been reading are the DIY's, including the awesome one you've made.

Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional

Steering Lock: Cutting the Brownie

DIY: Replace dreaded steering-lock on 2009s and early 2010s.

Dwight Frye · 06-05-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daylaZ

I have been reading, but was just hoping for a quick answer.

Most of the threads I've been reading are the DIY's, including the awesome one you've made.

Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional

Steering Lock: Cutting the Brownie

DIY: Replace dreaded steering-lock on 2009s and early 2010s.

Here's a quick answer:
Spend over $500 to have a spare lock mechanism ready to install and have the security screws on the original already replaced with conventional screws so if you have to change out the lock in some parking lot at midnight somewhere you can do it in a few minutes. Provided you have the tools and a flashlight along with the replacement lock.

-or- Cut the brown wire. Just be careful that you leave enough hanging out so you can put wire nuts on the ends to protect them, or a crimp-type butt splice on to reconnect if you want to sell the car

-or- Pull the fuse. The jury is still out if this may cause other problems. Personally, I don't think that's a good idea

-or- Spend $50 and order the harness. Same electronic result as cutting the brown wire, extremely easy to install, reconnect the brown wire if desired, add a switch if desired, or revert to stock if you go to sell the car

edconline · 06-05-2012, 09:09 PM

I also have had the delay, happened in the morning the day after The fuse was pulled, hasn't happened since. Definitely seems to be linked to the pulling of the fuse, but I don't see any potential issue. Even if something else did go wrong, put the fuse back in, go to Nissan, and use warranty anyways.

Baer383 · 06-05-2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edconline

I also have had the delay, happened in the morning the day after The fuse was pulled, hasn't happened since. Definitely seems to be linked to the pulling of the fuse, but I don't see any potential issue. Even if something else did go wrong, put the fuse back in, go to Nissan, and use warranty anyways.

Bingo

I have been waiting about a week to see if anybody would say that.

Rep to you my good man

wheee! · 06-05-2012, 09:17 PM

I think the ECU must learn from the fuse being pulled because I have not had a single issue in the last few days after pulling the fuse last week.

Did three other cars this weekend, Including EdConline's! Viva la fusa vaminos! (pardon the horrible attempt at Spanish)

Baer383 · 06-05-2012, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

I think the ECU must learn from the fuse being pulled because I have not had a single issue in the last few days after pulling the fuse last week.

Did three other cars this weekend, Including EdConline's! Viva la fusa vaminos! (pardon the horrible attempt at Spanish)

I have been refraining myself from posting what "I think I found"basically my opinion is that the CPU gets inputs from certain places and if one is missing it will recheck everything quickly(maybe 1 sec)then start the car.

I also believe like posted above the car learns ex.disconnecting the battery for it to relearn drivability habits and so on,I hope this is the case plus that would explain why it happens once in awhile instead of all the time.

kenchan · 06-05-2012, 09:44 PM

Anyone noticing parasitic drain yet?

just wondering if the steering in unlock state drains.

wheee! · 06-05-2012, 10:40 PM

What? How?????

The circuit is disconnected... therefore no power at all to the steering lock, therefore no drain....

06-05-2012, 09:09 PM	#220 (permalink)
edconline Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 855 Drives: 10' MB Z34 6MT T/S/N Rep Power: 22	I also have had the delay, happened in the morning the day after The fuse was pulled, hasn't happened since. Definitely seems to be linked to the pulling of the fuse, but I don't see any potential issue. Even if something else did go wrong, put the fuse back in, go to Nissan, and use warranty anyways. __________________ View Journal Audio Build

06-05-2012, 09:17 PM	#222 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	I think the ECU must learn from the fuse being pulled because I have not had a single issue in the last few days after pulling the fuse last week. Did three other cars this weekend, Including EdConline's! Viva la fusa vaminos! (pardon the horrible attempt at Spanish) __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

06-05-2012, 10:40 PM	#225 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	What? How????? The circuit is disconnected... therefore no power at all to the steering lock, therefore no drain.... __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

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06-05-2012, 01:45 PM	#217 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	read read read it's all spelled out in the forums.

06-05-2012, 09:44 PM	#224 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Anyone noticing parasitic drain yet? just wondering if the steering in unlock state drains.