[Lokoseena]

Hey guys, needed to vent and my GF and dog both can't understand when it comes to the car so I'm looking for some sympathy here.

Its been a series of unfortunate events lately with the car. I've mainly been taking it out on those nice sunny days when the streets are clear.

I was looking into changing the battery (either an group 51R Optima yellowtop or Interstate) since I had depleted it a few times flashing the ECU. I bought a trickle charger and a booster pack. I'm doing the brakes when Spring rolls (no pun intended) around.

A few days ago I had the steering wheel lock issue. When I turned the car off, the pin that is suppose to lock the steering column didn't lock so the car won't start since the ECU requires this pin ot have locked the steering wheel (security feature). Fiddled with the steering wheel and after a few tries of moving in up and down and in and out, it released. I should have taken it in to the dealer at that point or do the DIY fix myself (part is worth about 600-800$ I've been told) but no I thought "hey its only a one time thing, it was clearly cold that day". Wrong! It happened again. This time, different story. After several hours trying to solve the issue by tapping, turning the wheel rapidly, and eventually, straight outta of Compton hitting and beating it, nothing. The pin won't release so I can't even do the fuse removal mod.

Since the car isn't under warranty and Nissan GTR hotline was no help in trying to get this solved (many GTRs 09 and early 2010 have had this issue). Seems like their are a lot of new threads about this. I called the guys at Spinelli Nissan and Chris and Stéphane were nice enough to have me try a few things namely unplugging the connector fiddling with it and replugging it. Didn't work but it was different than banging on the car. All this in the blistering -25c.

So now the car is parked on the street in front of one of my properties. There is a driveway entrance in front of me and one car parked behind me. I'm not getting anywhere with the fiddling around so its time to get it towed. I figured I'd pick up my work stuff before I head to a meeting and as I'm parking my other car, I see someone try to park in front of my car in front of the driveway. He fails the first time (I was running to the GTR at this point) but the second time HE MANAGES TO BUMP INTO THE CAR. As he hit my car is get close enough to bang on his car to tell him to stop moving. The couple is clearly shaken up at the fact that I'm livid. I clearly lose my shit when the lady tells me that they were careful at which point I said "I'm pretty sure you just fucking hit my car lady, I don't call that being careful". Woosa!They didn't seem to care saying there were no damages, it seemed like that's just how they parked "a little bump here a little bump there" no problem. I could see what appeared to be minor scratches but it was dark and the car somewhat dirty. I hope it buffs out. I walked off at this point to cool off trying to convince myself that "its just a car". Its not.

To make matters worst, when I go to grab what I needed in the car, the battery is dead. I probably killed the battery by leaving a light on or something stupid while trying to figure out the steering wheel issue. I had hoped that I could do the fuse removal bypass for now until I have a garage and can actually work on the car. Looks like tomorrow I'm forcing open the door, with hope that I won't damage the trim nor the window since the window won't drop. Its then getting towed and fixed $$$. Second time on the flatbed. Makes me want to cry.

 

[KNOTZLA]

You just have to take a step back, take a deep breath and remember "because RACECAR"

 

[theeddie]

I'm having shot for you right Now.
Go inside take a nice shower try to rest you will figure it out.

Ps I would of kicked the a nice dent in the car that bumped you

a

 

[shawnhayes]

To make matters worst, when I go to grab what I needed in the car, the battery is dead. I probably killed the battery by leaving a light on or something stupid while trying to figure out the steering wheel issue. I had hoped that I could do the fuse removal bypass for now until I have a garage and can actually work on the car. Looks like tomorrow I'm forcing open the door, with hope that I won't damage the trim nor the window since the window won't drop. Its then getting towed and fixed $$$. Second time on the flatbed. Makes me want to cry.

Sorry about the rough turn of events.

Make sure you use the actual "key" in the door instead of forcing open the door.

Shawn

 

[Python]

 

[Nate]

Simon, call me in the morning or whenever you see this.

 

[DGDS88T]

Sorry to hear this. I'd go breserk if I see someone bump into my car. People can't park for shit. What kind of car was it?

 

[HEISENBERG]

This sucks... I have an 09 and I hope I never have this problem. My chic doesn't get car stuff either. Hope you get this sorted out fast before another non-parking idiot comes along.

 

[kinglasserres]

If you manage to get your car in the garage and have time you can removed the steering lock unit be patience because is kinda difficult but if you have all the necessary tool you can remove the unit. follow this giude. http://www.gtrlife.c...ering-lock-fix/ once removed try to get it to work but do not force the pin back in you might damage the gear or motor. That steering lock unit will never function again reliably since warranty is not an option for you the only thing you can do is the fuse trick but to do that you need to get the steering unit to work try my rebuild guide http://www.gtrlife.c...__fromsearch__1 this will get that unit to work for a few months but i suggest you better off doing the fuse once you manage to get the unit to function again.
here is my guide for the fuse trick

1. in order for this method to work your steering lock unit has to be working properly so try to make it work for one last time.
2. don't start the engine keep it on ACC. put the car to ACC if you hear the lock disengage and a no key light on dash your good keep it on acc don't turn off the car it might lock again.
3. now pop the hood and right by the battery compartment there is a big fuse box. remove that box and open it . i know its a tight squeeze but the steering lock fuse is there.
4. once you get the box out enough to open it look for the fuse that say steering lock.
5 while your car is still on ACC mode and the steering lock disengage pull the steering lock fuse this will only work while the car is on ACC and has disengage the steering lock.
6. now test your work turn off the car and try to start it, if its start you did it right, this method prevent the steering lock unit to power up and just stay unlock.
7. after a few on/off startup just put everthing back where it goes and that it.
Hope this guide will help you get your gtr running again, i know the frustration but with patience and have a clear mind you will resolve this just be cool this is just a mechanical problem and it will be pretty easy to fix.

 

[Toronto GTR]

I feel your pain. Some people are just so clueless when it comes to other people stuff (especially if they are not car people).

Think happy thoughts and you will get through it and be on the road soon enough.

Love the photos Python added -- not sure which one I like best (torn)

Good luck

 

[marc lerapide]

Sad happenings!
When it rains,sometimes it poures
Shit happens!
The revenge Of the machine
Go figure!

 

[FrankyGTR]

ahh fuck man

If you manage to get your car in the garage and have time you can removed the steering lock unit be patience because is kinda difficult but if you have all the necessary tool you can remove the unit. follow this giude. http://www.gtrlife.c...ering-lock-fix/ once removed try to get it to work but do not force the pin back in you might damage the gear or motor. That steering lock unit will never function again reliably since warranty is not an option for you the only thing you can do is the fuse trick but to do that you need to get the steering unit to work try my rebuild guide http://www.gtrlife.c...__fromsearch__1 this will get that unit to work for a few months but i suggest you better off doing the fuse once you manage to get the unit to function again.
here is my guide for the fuse trick

1. in order for this method to work your steering lock unit has to be working properly so try to make it work for one last time.
2. don't start the engine keep it on ACC. put the car to ACC if you hear the lock disengage and a no key light on dash your good keep it on acc don't turn off the car it might lock again.
3. now pop the hood and right by the battery compartment there is a big fuse box. remove that box and open it . i know its a tight squeeze but the steering lock fuse is there.
4. once you get the box out enough to open it look for the fuse that say steering lock.
5 while your car is still on ACC mode and the steering lock disengage pull the steering lock fuse this will only work while the car is on ACC and has disengage the steering lock.
6. now test your work turn off the car and try to start it, if its start you did it right, this method prevent the steering lock unit to power up and just stay unlock.
7. after a few on/off startup just put everthing back where it goes and that it.
Hope this guide will help you get your gtr running again, i know the frustration but with patience and have a clear mind you will resolve this just be cool this is just a mechanical problem and it will be pretty easy to fix.

good advice.

keep us posted man good luck

 

[Lokoseena]

Thanks for the cheer up guys. A good night sleep helps keep things in perspective. The person could have demolished the car and I could have not even seen who had done it. DG, it was an older Mazda 3.

Shawn, yes I'm opening the door with the key from the whole under the handle.

A few espresso's later I'm gonna bite the bullet, pick up my battery, get the car towed and get it back asap. I'm working with Nate to see what we can do about just ordering the part and tackling this by myself.

 

[DGDS88T]

How hard can it be to park a Mazda 3.......? Cheer up man, it could be worst.

 

[FrankyGTR]

How hard can it be to park a Mazda 3

driving is an intense task for some,those people should not have a license.

 

[Tman]

On a side note-Python I like your style lol!!!
Cheer up man and take a step back as others said.
Ive had some really, really bad luck with some of my other cars to the point of-I couldnt sleep, I was pissed off the entire day, gave shit to my wife all the time and felt like an ass. the thing that bummed me was-whatever extra money I made at work working super long hours was going into my car. Then I got really sick, we also lost the baby and also find out my father had cancer and that put an end to that. At the end of the day a car is a car and your health/relationship/family and friends are simply that much more important. You are lucky that we do have some outstanding guys on this forum that Im pretty sure will help you out in anyway they can and you will be enjoying the car for years to come!!

So chin up, have a chuckle, a beer on me and take things like that with a smile!
Good luck man!!
Thomas

 

[shawnhayes]

At the end of the day a car is a car and your health/relationship/family and friends are simply that much more important.

x 1 million.

I love my car. I mean, I REALLY REALLY love my car.

But, at the end of the day, it's just a car. It will fail, blow up, fall apart, rust, etc. Don't let it stress you out.

Shawn

 

[Lokoseena]

Tman, thanks for putting things in perspective. Like others have said we all joke about it but but in the end, its just a car and its just money. I should be up and driving in no time!

 

[WaXXon]

If only I told you all the sh*t I went throught with a 23yr old car in the past 4 years ....

It's normal, it,s always like this lol No worries about it!

 

[930chas]

This perked me up and I wasnt even sad!

OP. I feel your pain. What a chain of events. As others have stated, take a step back, deep breaths and know it will all be resolved.