ATTENTION!! 2009-2010 owners with steering lock/wont start issues

DLSTR · 01-15-2013, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stosh Rickles

Sounds right... I had an even more preposterous idea than that but I'll spare everyone

BTW, despite how much this issue makes me want to punch Nissan in the face, the one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet in Nissan's defense re:recalls/TSBs is that it's not just a matter of the ROI on replacing all problematic SLUs; there's also the added potential of thousands of false positives being reported.

If '09-'10 Nissan products had a TSB out for bad SLUs, but the only evidence of a bad SLU is a car that won't start, then anyone owning those vehicles could say a) that a dead car meets the TSB stips; and b) if the dealer attempts to resolve the issue as anything other than the SLU TSB, they are violating the terms. I could demand a replacement of the SLU even if I had merely left the dome light on for a week.

The fact that you can get a car with a bad SLU running again - sometimes by accident - makes it extremely difficult for both consumers AND Nissan to defend.

Nissan deleted the system from the car. Thats the solution in their eyes. I would not hold my breath for a recall. All thats left are used cars and the warranty clock is ticking. Every day fewer and fewer cars are an issue. Win win for Nissan.

duderevs · 01-17-2013, 10:10 AM

Hey guys,

I had noticed in the other thread that all of the cars listed (so far) are american. I have a 2009 Canadian Sport Touring model. Do you think the issue could be limited to the American vehicles?

How do i tell which version of the steering lock i have? I believe my car was made in June of 2009.

Thanks!

SouthArk370Z · 01-17-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duderevs

I had noticed in the other thread that all of the cars listed (so far) are american. I have a 2009 Canadian Sport Touring model. Do you think the issue could be limited to the American vehicles?

How do i tell which version of the steering lock i have? I believe my car was made in June of 2009.

IIRC, there has been at least one Canadian and one British 370Z that have reported SLU failure. But my memory ain't what it used to be.

There is a label on the SLU that will tell you which revision it is. If you have a 2009, you probably have one of the earlier revisions.

The fix is easy enough that there is no sense in taking a risk - pull the fuse, cut the wire, or install a harness.

nissanman312 · 01-17-2013, 06:13 PM

loads of fails in uk
so while my car is working i just pull the fuse and job done???

SouthArk370Z · 01-17-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissanman312

loads of fails in uk
so while my car is working i just pull the fuse and job done???

Yep. Just make sure the SLU is working when you pull the fuse.

6MT · 01-17-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nissanman312

loads of fails in uk
so while my car is working i just pull the fuse and job done???

yes mate, that's it! Then a pint in the pub!

nissanman312 · 01-18-2013, 05:02 PM

slu working ie you wheel is looked?

nissanman312 · 01-18-2013, 05:02 PM

or your

MG370Z · 01-21-2013, 11:13 AM

unfortunatley this crap happened to my Z as well it happened right when i hit 50,000 miles on it and it just wouldnt start at all. I had to pay to get it towed to the dealership which was around 120 bucks. Then the dealership told me it would cost me about 1000 to get it fixed i was like WTF!

......but the crazy thing about it is that when i went to my car at the dealership there was literally 5 other 370z's with the same issue as mine and i asked the service rep if there was any kind of recalls he said no!

and all the 370z that were there with the steering lock issue were 2009's and 2010's

blackbird · 01-21-2013, 04:18 PM

I emailed Nissan on the 10th and got someone to call me and I got an incident number. They said someone would call back. No one did. I emailed Nissan USA today and someone did call back. He said he would look into it and will call back Thursday. He's going to try and get me something back. My SLU died at 45044 miles. I also told them I had driven Nissans since 1983. Strongly suggest you e-mail Nissan USA. I said my Nissans in the past had been reliable and that they had no honor. (Worf reference which I'm sure they missed).

The BlueMax · 01-27-2013, 05:04 PM

If your SLU has been disabled via the fuse how can you still get a starting failure?

daisuke149 · 01-27-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The BlueMax

If your SLU has been disabled via the fuse how can you still get a starting failure?

who are you referring to? I dont see who has had a failure after disabling the SLU.

geezer1946 · 01-30-2013, 07:50 AM

I recently was unable to start my Z . Tried everything , inserted key fob..no go, changed battery...no go, checked battery reset option...no go. Finally had it towed to dealer :/ $1400.00 later was told that "steering wheel lock mechanism" had malfunctioned!!! I really suspect all they did was re-calibrate the key fob ... Anyone else out there experienced this?

cptspeed · 01-30-2013, 07:55 AM

Its a huge problem. Too bad you didn't get a chance to use the search function before this happened. In short, there is a fuse you could have pulled to stop the lock from functioning. The locks have been such a problem that they don not even install them in new Z's

Lemers · 01-30-2013, 08:07 AM

I just had this problem too. Mine was covered by the extended warranty. It seems to be a problem with 2009 to early 2010 models. They had to change the steering lock actuator and reprogram the ECU and FOBs. Apparently this problem creates a short in that shuts the engine down (believe it has to do with anti-theft).

01-17-2013, 10:10 AM	#47 (permalink)
duderevs Base Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Burlington Posts: 37 Drives: 2009 370z Black 6sp Rep Power: 13	USA Cars Hey guys, I had noticed in the other thread that all of the cars listed (so far) are american. I have a 2009 Canadian Sport Touring model. Do you think the issue could be limited to the American vehicles? How do i tell which version of the steering lock i have? I believe my car was made in June of 2009. Thanks!

01-21-2013, 11:13 AM	#54 (permalink)
MG370Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Grand Prairie Posts: 13 Drives: 10-370z-BLk-MT-6spd Rep Power: 12	unfortunatley this crap happened to my Z as well it happened right when i hit 50,000 miles on it and it just wouldnt start at all. I had to pay to get it towed to the dealership which was around 120 bucks. Then the dealership told me it would cost me about 1000 to get it fixed i was like WTF!......but the crazy thing about it is that when i went to my car at the dealership there was literally 5 other 370z's with the same issue as mine and i asked the service rep if there was any kind of recalls he said no! and all the 370z that were there with the steering lock issue were 2009's and 2010's

01-27-2013, 05:04 PM	#56 (permalink)
The BlueMax Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Louisville Posts: 337 Drives: 09 370/97 T/A 01 ZRX Rep Power: 25	Confused If your SLU has been disabled via the fuse how can you still get a starting failure? __________________ The Blue Max

01-30-2013, 07:50 AM	#58 (permalink)
geezer1946 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conway,Arkansas Posts: 4 Drives: 2009 370Z black 6spd Rep Power: 13	Steering lock mechanism malfunction I recently was unable to start my Z . Tried everything , inserted key fob..no go, changed battery...no go, checked battery reset option...no go. Finally had it towed to dealer :/ $1400.00 later was told that "steering wheel lock mechanism" had malfunctioned!!! I really suspect all they did was re-calibrate the key fob ... Anyone else out there experienced this?

01-30-2013, 07:55 AM	#59 (permalink)
cptspeed Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: tampa Posts: 799 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 17	Its a huge problem. Too bad you didn't get a chance to use the search function before this happened. In short, there is a fuse you could have pulled to stop the lock from functioning. The locks have been such a problem that they don not even install them in new Z's __________________ FI CBE, 20" forged specialties rims, swift springs, boston subs, kicker amp, focal components

01-17-2013, 06:13 PM	#49 (permalink)
nissanman312 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: birmingham uk Posts: 7 Drives: nissan370z manual Rep Power: 12	loads of fails in uk so while my car is working i just pull the fuse and job done???

01-18-2013, 05:02 PM	#52 (permalink)
nissanman312 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: birmingham uk Posts: 7 Drives: nissan370z manual Rep Power: 12	slu working ie you wheel is looked?

01-18-2013, 05:02 PM	#53 (permalink)
nissanman312 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: birmingham uk Posts: 7 Drives: nissan370z manual Rep Power: 12	or your

01-21-2013, 04:18 PM	#55 (permalink)
blackbird Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nashua NH Posts: 179 Drives: 09 370Z BLk GTM TT Rep Power: 16	I emailed Nissan on the 10th and got someone to call me and I got an incident number. They said someone would call back. No one did. I emailed Nissan USA today and someone did call back. He said he would look into it and will call back Thursday. He's going to try and get me something back. My SLU died at 45044 miles. I also told them I had driven Nissans since 1983. Strongly suggest you e-mail Nissan USA. I said my Nissans in the past had been reliable and that they had no honor. (Worf reference which I'm sure they missed).

01-30-2013, 08:07 AM	#60 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 52	I just had this problem too. Mine was covered by the extended warranty. It seems to be a problem with 2009 to early 2010 models. They had to change the steering lock actuator and reprogram the ECU and FOBs. Apparently this problem creates a short in that shuts the engine down (believe it has to do with anti-theft). __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

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