How to Start Your Nissan or Infiniti with a Failed Steering Lock Control Unit 

2010 Infiniti G37 - This suddenly happened to me last night and luckily I found your video. I knocked on it a couple of times and it worked! Now the debate begins on whether or not to repair or just buy a new car.

You honestly saved me and me save towing and a diagnostic at Nissan.Thank you a lot.

There is a motor inside the box, it got bad by being stiff or not responding anymore. Tapping it will a hammer luckily activates it most times due to a loose conductivity of the red wire or black wire connected to the motor but when the motor inside the box goes completely dead (burnt wire inside the motor) then it fails to unlock or lock completely. Get the box out, loose it apart and replace only the motor inside (the motor is less expensive) or check the connecting wire pin entering into the motor, there is a slack contact, put a copper wire into that area to make it tighter (for example adding wire underneath your battery cable to make it tighter for conducting) then press in the wire pins of the motor into that area. This is for those who cant afford the whole lock box unit or even the motor. After this fix, then you are good to go again for many more years without this happening again. From my observation when you tap that box with a hammer. You are vibrating the motor and luckily the pins going into the motor in the steering lock box may contact current and unlock the steering wheel again.

Thanks for this! Wife and newborn got stranded tonight because of the SLU failure. Your video helped me get the car running again.

Out of allllll the videos I watched this one really did the job! All I did was tap the box without taking the bottom part out and it worked! Thank you so much!

Thank you soooo much for this video. I was having the same problems with my 2009 Nissan Altima and I called the Nissan place and they told me what was wrong with it and that it was going to be $1200 to repair. After watching this video my boyfriend and I followed your instructions and my car now works .

This worked like a charm thank you for posting this video now I can get home

I was stuck in the parking lot by myself. Just used your video to start my car. Thanks!

If we could kiss over the comment section I would try good sir. I was stuck for 2 hours at wal mart after going shopping. Found this video, tried and and it started up!! Forever in your debt.

I luv u literally luv u😘😘 My car has been down for a week almost spent 600 bucks!! luv u luv u Oh and my dad said pull out the 10A fuse awsome just awesome!!

Happened to me today in my 2009 Nissan Altima. I didn't even have to take off the panel. Just put the seat all the way back, lay on the floorboard, and have a flashlight and hammer. Under the panel (above the brake pedal), locate the silver metal box with the flashlight and tap it a few times with a hammer. That will do the trick. It took me about 60 seconds to fix my car. Same issue as reported in the video. Click the START button, and nothing. No click. No nothing. Same effect as NOT having the key fob. Tap the steering wheel lock with a hammer, and you are good to go.

"take the hammer" was expecting him to just start going berserk.

Lol. That reminds me of how i started my sega genesis in the 90s. Damn. A control unit repair out of the pocket for me I guess. Thanks for the video!❤

Thanks for this video!! You saved me money from spending on a tow truck!!

cool trick it works for me. my car it was working for a couple more days, but i had the same problem againg and i try the same trick and it did not work. my advice, take your car to the mec after you make it run for a first time.

Thanks a lot bro. I appreciate this. Your video saved me a tow truck haul. Thank you 👍.

amazing man, it work for my 2010, G37 like a magic. Thank you

Shout out to this man!! Saved me a ticket!!!!!

This video really got me out of a pickle thank you. I found that the plug going into the steering lock module was very loose and had no kind of lock latch or clip on it. i reseated it and followed the video. What i think is happening is if that plug is not seated properly and you try and start the car it locks the steering but the steering lock is cheap and crappy and doesnt release. so i zip tied in in. no problems since.

Worked for me, thnx a lot 2018 Hyundai Accent

Holy crap this actually worked!! Thank you for making this video. My wife’s car stopped working and we were both freaked out until we found this. I’d PayPal you $10 if you gave me your email.

Thankyou so much. Saved my dumbass from embarrassment in my infinity fx35

PERFECT! Got my Maxima working and got it home. I pulled the 10A fuse to prevent it from happening again.

Thank you soooo much sr. Same issue on my 370z and I fixed it following your instructions

2008 g37 here I don’t have the same control unit for the locked steering wheel. Anyone have any advice? Tried tapping the part, but I’m not really sure if the part I’m tapping is even the correct one. Please help

Perfect nissan elgrand thank you for save money and time !!!!!!!!!! More videos like this 🙂

Genius 🖤

If I replace it with a lock box/module from a junkyard, will fix the problem? Thanks

I am having all the same issues but my steering wheel is locked... any advice?

I can't begin to imagine the amount of grief and frustration you have saved me... Thank you kindly for this post.

Really fixed my girlfriends car for now. She'll just be a little late to work now. Thanks

Is it worth it to replace it, or will the newly replaced steering lock control unit just break again soon after?

Thank you!! Used this on our 2009 Nissan Z.

Now, add the hammer to the keychain.

YOOOOOOOOO THANK U FOR DIS VIDEO!!!!!! I JUST KICK IT INSTED OF A USING THE HAMMER MY CAR STARTED RIGHT AWAY!!!! OMG U SAVE MY LIFE!!!!!

So much for your video man you did a great job thank you my brother

Thanks for the video. I just saved the night. A lady at the grocery store had this issue. I hit the bottom of the dash and the bitch started. you da man!

If this keeps happening but my car keeps running when I hit the box, will it suddenly stop working and not turn on with this method?

I have a 2011 g37s and I have the same problem if I change the part will it fix it? Also the part I looked up to replace comes with a obd programer for the key. Will I have to reprogram my key that I already have?

I’m having a no crank issue but the steering lock works properly battery good new alternator and starter and still nothing also changed the clutch switch

This worked amazingly. Thank you so much

I am having this key signal on my 2008 infiniti g35x, the steering wheel locks and the car will start. The light only comes on when I put the car in reverse and in drive but not in Neutral and in Park. Could this still be the issue??

can you show us how to remove the lower dash? Ir maybe explain?

Thank you for posting this! Was waiting on AAA to come get my 2009 370z but because it was cold here in Chicago it was a 2 hr wait, so I checked RU-vid and this post worked great! Appreciate it so much. Just going to keep a hammer in the car with me.

Tenia la falla en un Nissan murano Z51 y funciono perfectamente gracias por el video

Hey I know this video is really old now but hopefully you see this. Will I need a new steering lock unit? Is this something I can replace myself or does it need programming?

YOOOOOO THIS SHIT JUST WORKED AT 2:37 in the meoninggggg yasssss periooooood

Sir, 2009 Nissan Murano, same scenario i did the bang..didnt work..i actually seen a vidoe took it apart and set it..removed the piece the locks the steering..put back plugged it up removed the fuse no luck.. Is that box plug and play? Or does it need to be programmed..i want to pull one from the junkyard? Thanks.

Thanks a lot man it saved my life

Thank you so much thank you so much I don’t know how to thank you it actually worked for real I’ve tried it thank you so much

BRO YOURE A FUCKING GENIUS YOU SAVED MY LIFE I LOVE YOU

This post saved my assss! Perfect solution. U da man!

My son's car just encountered this problem in Wilmington Delaware. If it turns out to be the same, I am going to learn how to replace it and then go into business replacing your's, for a fee of course. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thank you so much for your video! You saved me a tow and $$$$

What do I do for the same situation but I have no key fob programmed??

hi My 2010 fx35 is doing that right now and I cant get it started what is actulaay going out im gonna try to take it out to infinity romorrow

What if I done use this process before and doesn’t work anymore and my steering wheel doesn’t lock anymore which means my car won’t crank at all , suggest replacing the steering column ?

Thank you so much, it worked out and you saved me!

Anyone know if 2014 pathfinder has a similar system, I’ve tried everything fob doesn’t do anything and dash just showed incorrect key

My car it's infinity FX50s 2010, I have same the issue in my car, the steering wheel is locked , and I got water leaking from sunroof, the car it was working fine , after clean the car I got intelligent key warning light on , I don't know the problem from BCM or from steering lock module? please help me

I'm having the same issue with my 2012 Nissan Rogue .. Do you think this will solve my issue also !

My car starts and is fully functioning but my whole dash is dead except empbrake lights and air bag warning light and blinking key light none of my signal/headlight indicators or gauges work

After i got the car started it would jerk, or go into limp mode.and then shut off again. Drive like 3 blocks and shut off again.

After you tap the box and get the ignition running. Pull the red 10A steering lock fuse out, in the hood of the car, with the igniton running. You wont need to fix anything after you pull the fuse, car will start everytime.

Hey Jay . I have 08 Infiniti g35 It got exactly the same issue . Am try to tape with hammer many time it won't work ? Do you have any idea Or time to replace steering lock unit? thank you

I have a 2007 G 35 but it’s an HR engine I’m having the same symptoms

Ok, i forgot to tell/type to you that I got this (yellow icon with key) & still wont turn on... i don't have any power in the vehicle except only the key fob slot - pushbutton & icon to step on the break pedal & push the button... praying i kindly respectfully get a response/advice... thank you

Amazing Video !

If I get a new steering lock from eBay from some other car, will it work with my key as soon as I plug it it (or does it need programming)? I haven't been able to fix mine so I can pull the fuse. Also having a hard time breaking into the control unit.

I have nissan altima 2009 and the security key on the dash , i replaced the battery of the car and the key and i hit the ESCL and nothing happened by the way my steering wheel moving if the car in lock mode .

my car is currently at my mechanic. Should I just have him put it back together and try doing this then? May car is a 2011 and it has less than 44,000 miles but they say it is not under warranty any longer

Thanks sir its help for my fraind cars mixema 2014 . 👍👍👍👍👍

Quality parts, 'eh? Just happened to my GF's '09 Altima tonight. Angers the heck out of me.

I just got stranded from home with my wife and kids. I live in Vegas and our heat is pretty dangerous. I turned the corner at a red light and my brakes locked up. The steering wheel froze and the truck shut off? I tried to put it in neutral to push it out off the street and the shift was locked. The truck would not start but the battery seems fine. I came back to my truck later and the brakes still wouldn't unlock and start until I started playing with the shift lock? The truck starts fine "for now". Do you have any idea WTF happened? Any help would be great brother!

Same thing is happening to me , I've tried your method and it's also not working. The brake lights come on the battery is charge don't know what could be the issue . Anyone help ?

If i replace the module do i have to reprograme key??

I have the exact problem three question 1) when I tap on it and start it up would I still need to replace that part? Or I’m good to go 2) what’s the part called so I can maybe order it 3) would I need to reprogram my key of my car if I do change that part?

My NISSAN 2009 Altima has the similar problem. The key warning light is on, the steering is locked and the car can not get started. What is your advice? In your case, the steering is not locked from your video. Thx.

Thanks it works on my 08 g37s save me Uber money !

Nice trick

Good day sir my wife 2011 Infiniti QX56 got stuck at a resturant and it so happens the same key lock display came up in the dash. I'm having the part replace do i need to have the remote reprogram after the module is replace? And can I just get a use one or would you recommend getting a new unit looking forward to your reply thanks.

2019 and still working like a charm ❤️

I tried tapping the unit in my 370z but it still wont start. What do I do now?

Yep my car started after doing what he did.

Atleast on the bright side our cars are theft proof with this issue

Can there be two different type of control unit? Because I don’t have that box •_•

cool trick , it worked ! but i have a question, do i have to take my car to mec rigth after or that would be it ? I have a 2009 coupe nissan altima btw

Does the original poster still pay attention to this post? I need help with this issue

rom Edison, nj, Saturday Blizzard day took two tries to turn on my daughters car. The battery was weakening. Moved car, shoveled; a few hours later had to jump battery to move car again, drove for a while to charge battery. Parked. turn the car off then on again with no problem. Today would not turn on. Replaced battery with new bosch from pepboys. Still no luck. Saw this video along with a few others. pulled panel down on one side and tapped with a hammer a few times and car turned on. Hopefully it turns on again. QUESTION. Did it not complete actuator cycle cause battery was weak? Could that be the cause? have a 2009 2.5 with 69000. Will see

I have the same issue with my 2008 infiniti qx56. what's the name of the fuse box thing and where can I get one from?

thanks , it works

so if u have to do this does it mean that u have to replace that control unit sooner or later ?

Thanks thanks my brother very good

Hey Jay I have a 07 m35 I tried the trick and it worked but not for long, I ended up buying a new steering lock module but have the hardest time finding someone to put it on. my question is if I can someone get the old one off and the new one on does it still have to be programmed?

Wish I would've seen this before i had my car towed to the dealership an hour away. Woulda just drove it there. Lol

tried this method and it works! have you had this problem happen again after?

What if my car doesn’t have that control unit right there ? I have a 2013 maxima sv so idk where it’s located

is it hard to replace the steering lock unit?

Will it apply to 2008 to.?

My opem accessories but domt start dont make nothing , and key lights stay on