Steering lock problem solved (for real)

Vampirex

Hi All,
After reading all the 50 pages of this thread, I have to say I am happy for you that Nissan recognises their responsibilities and support the costs of this expensive repair.
In Europe the problem is a little different as in general the lock steering is requested by law, or at least by insurances companies. I doubt that if a car is stolen and retrieved with a modified harness or a SLU fuse removed, they accept to pay for this sinister.
Nissan in Europe didn’t announce anything about that so for us, up to now, the problem stays.
I would wonder how the 2013 models are marketed.
My Z is a 2012 model (bought new on October 2012) but I don't know the assembly date. The SLU is a D revision (with a suffix) as showed on the picture. From your standpoint, what option would be the best here in France ?
BR.

Attached Images

SL-Tag.jpg (180.2 KB, 79 views)

JARblue

First, Rev D is the last revision, and the same one that is being used for replacement in this recall. Even if you were in the US, I don't believe you would be on the recall list; I have an early 2011 with Rev D, and I am not. Even so, I maintain this is a half-a$$ed recall because there are people who already had their ESCL (commonly referred to as SLU) replaced with a Rev D model which failed as well. I have already pulled my fuse and have no reason to put it back in. If I were in the recall, I would put my fuse back in, take it to the dealer for replacement, and then pull the fuse again, and all just so Nissan has to pay for it.

Second, I would absolutely familiarize yourself with the laws and or insurance policies relating to the steering lock in your region (France) before you mess with anything yourself. For example, would pulling the fuse be a violation of law? Or could it perhaps void your insurance coverage in some scenario?

Third, you may call or visit a dealership and see what ESCL Revision the 2013 models have (or even the 2014s when they start showing up). Is it the same or different from yours? I was under the impression that late 2011 models and later did not have an ESCL at all (in North America, at least).

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Vampirex

So there is no fix for this trouble for us in Europe.
Here in France it is not as clear as that. For a car to be recordable, it has to be homologated (European or French). Once the homologation done succesfully by the manufacturer, the car and especially all that is required by law, is described and detailed in a reference ”reception record”. With every car, a “certificate of conformity” is delivered, describing the car synthetically and referencing to the reception record. The CoC (Certficat of Conformity) is necessary to record and get a license plate. Everything that is described in the “reception record” cannot be suppressed or modified. Removing a fuse to alter behavior of something is forbiden.
So it is highly improbable that a policeman ask you on a road side if your lock steering is working. But the insurance coverage is given on the CoC basis, so if a sinister arises, of course for small amount of money they don’t check a lot, But if the sinister involves expensive indemnities or repairs, they try to not pay and if the car is not strictly conform, they say “This is not the car we had covered”. We know several cases like that and the procedures are long and expensive.
You are right, it is the easier, but the 370z is not a popular car like in USA and since 2013 this car is affected by a 6000€ (about 7700$) eco-tax, it became very difficult to sale, because this an increase of the price (same tax for Camaro, Charger…). So dealers sale only on order, and don't stock these cars.
BR.
PS I hope my explanation is clear in English as even in French it is not easy to explain.

eaddams1201

My car won't even go into ACC mode, got any suggestions?

forza370z

Tow your car to the Nissan dealership and tell them no ACC.

fritz

Vampirex wrote: In Europe the problem is a little different as in general the lock steering is requested by law, or at least by insurances companies. I doubt that if a car is stolen and retrieved with a modified harness or a SLU fuse removed, they accept to pay for this sinister.

"Pull the fuse"? Fitting a blown fuse would cover your problem!! (up to a point).

The much earlier "Steering lock: cut one wire, switch optional" thread......noted the need (certainly in Europe starting last year) to have an "operational lock" ....so fit a secret switch ... which you can switch on/off any time....and, done at the right time, gives hugely improved security over Nissan's.
"cutting the Brownie" thread was great photos posted by rhd.
Some time later a bear traced the brown wire to the fuse in the IPDM..."for real".

Fritz

Ryan's Nissan

After countless phone calls, emails, complaints filed with just about anything related to cars/nissan, postings on their Facebooks and then getting told to GFY. I ended up paying for this myself. Well... I came home to this in the mail today, so I wonder if this is is specifically for Altimas or all Nissan vehicles affected. Worth another shot to call or fill out the application for reimbursement.

Attached Images

Nissan f u .jpg (300.3 KB, 66 views)

JARblue

Painfully clear, my friend. Well spoken You make extremely good points about the risk factors of pulling the fuse, and you're absolutely right it wouldn't make sense for you to try to sell your Z. Plus, it occurs to me that if it's required by law, the EU model will have the ESCL regardless of what the US model has.

Fritz has posted what I think is the best solution for you (harness or switch for the brown wire). Theoretically, modifying the brown wire still sounds like it could be construed as unlawful. And again, the largest risk factor is the vehicle being involved in a large insurance claim (you used the word sinister, which isn't quite accurate, but seven years of Latin in school helps my translation skills ). It's ridiculous that the ESCL would have anything to with any claim other than a stolen vehicle, but that's how it works.

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Zxces50

Nissan issued a recall on steering lock unit ~ a week ago. I already had mine replace upon fail a couple years ago. They replaced that unit under the recall. They said I would get a letter from Nissan in a couple weeks and can ignore.

Zxces50

Forgot to mention I was just in for regular service and they had new unit in stock. Recall is for both Z & GtR

onzedge

Check this out:

Steering lock Bypass Harness

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Zbrah

Subbed.

wheee!

Remove the pause when starting by removing the clutch switch and cleaning the contacts with emery paper or a jewellers file. Reassemble the switch, reinstall and you're good to go! No more pause...

Link to the thread below.

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ring-lock.html

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Meulen

Hate to bring up an old post. But any ideas why the wheel would still lock after I pull the fuse?

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bmarcinczyk14

make sure the ignition is on and the wheel is UNLOCKED before you pull the fuse....

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