2006 M45 Steering Column Lock Issue

[JohnBoyFL]

I'm in a similar situation to a few other posts I've looked at here with a 2006 M45 that wouldn't recognize the key (keyfobs lock/unlock car, but orange key light would stay on when pushing brake pedal/start button). No accessories or anything would come on. It just sort of happened out of the blue.

Had vehicle towed to Nissan dealership (Infiniti dealership too far away) and they diagnosed it as the steering column lock assembly. The part is no longer available from Nissan/Infiniti, so they told me if I could source a used one somewhere they could install/program it. So I found a used one on eBay and they installed and programmed it and drove it for a bit (around the parking lot & through their carwash).

I came to pick it up the next day. Paid for it and then went to drive it home, and it had the same issue all over again. No accessory power, no ignition etc. They diagnosed it again and said the used part that I provided and they installed had apparently failed after they drove it. They've done a bit more digging and have tried to source a new one for me, and there's apparently a third party parts supplier that has one. It's around $1600, so total cost would be around $2100 (they would be charging a bit less for the labor for this 2nd time). I'm out the cost of labor for the first install, but hopefully I can get the $200ish back from the eBay seller.

What I really don't want to happen is for me to spend all that $$ and then for the car to still have an issue. So has anyone had a car that was diagnosed with a bad steering column lock, had the lock replaced, and then found that the lock assembly wasn't actually the issue? I do think the sunroof drain lines are clogged as the A-pillars get pretty damp when it rains hard, and the carpet gets a bit damp as well, so I'm wondering if the Intelligent Key module might be having issues as I think that's down toward the fuse panel in the driver's footwell area and maybe there's been some moisture there?

I've also seen where some of the other Nissan/Infiniti steering lock assemblies (at least some G37) can be opened up and specific switches depressed in order to bypass the issue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojirmtYAlWU). Additionally, there are apparently some module emulators that can be used on certain Altima's/Maxima's etc to bypass it as well. I know the lock assembly for this car is different from those, but has anyone successfully done anything like that for the 06-08 M series?

[VStar650CL]

I haven't had any Infiniti locks apart, but from appearance it looks to use the same mechanical setup as the Maxes. If you bust out the circuit board there should be two pushbutton switches on it. Those are limit switches, they depress when the nylon gear reaches the top of its travel to tell the embedded microcontroller that the lock is fully retracted. Problems happen when wear on the gear causes enough slop that the buttons don't depress, or if a button simply wears out and fails. If the buttons are good, you can simply tape both of them down firmly and install the bare board under the dash (no more lock but also no more issues). If one or both buttons are bad, you can solder a jumper across the contacts to achieve the same effect.

[1st35]

Been dealing with a similar situation of late. Mine is a 2007 M35x model. Turned out to be the Intelligent Key Module, $1645 plus towing to a Nissan dealer 40 miles away. I’ve learned a lot about the I-key system, the BCM, and the IPDM. I did not want to go the used part route because of what you are experiencing. I created a word doc about the experience and need to post it here on the forum.
My research shows the part number for the OEM Infiniti M35 & M45 Electric Steering Column Lock is - 48700-EG01A.
Amayama shows it has one for - $736.08 plus tax and $30 for shipping, 2-weeks from Japan
InfinitiPartsDeal.com shows one for - $1116.54 plus tax and $18 for shipping (website shows 1 to 3 days to ship, not sure where it’s coming from or how long to get to you or the dealer).
Did you disconnect the battery recently or experience any kind of issue prior to this? You mentioned rain water and that it might be getting close to the Intelligent Key Module which of course is not good.
Please keep us informed on what you do and the outcome!

[1st35]

Did the dealer give you the old ESCL back? You could open it up and see if it's possible to override or trick the system. I actually think you would have to use the eBay unit they put on because it is now programmed to the car.
I believe there are emulators for Nissan vehicles to bypass the system, but not for the Infiniti models.
I also found where people were tapping on them and pushing the start button at the same time, but that was for the Altima. Worth a try!

[JohnBoyFL]

Thanks to both of you for the replies and the info! Been out of town for a bit, so I'm just circling back on this. I had tried to get the part from InfinitiPartsDeal.com, but even though they show it as in stock, an availability email request confirmed that it is "discontinued and no longer available for purchase." I don't know why they still show it as being available.

I had gone ahead and given the dealership the green light to order the one they could get (before I saw these latest replies). However, they seem to be having an issue getting the part in, so now I'm not sure that supplier actually had one. If they can't actually get one from that supplier, then I will either try to go the Amayama route or maybe try to speak with the Nissan tech directly and see if he can lock the switches into place for the unit that's currently in the car. They didn't give me the original part back (I think they tossed it when the current one worked to begin with), but I do think it would have to be done with the current unit to avoid reprogramming.

As for the I-Key, I did actually mention that when I first took the car in. I told them the sunroof drains are clogged and water drains down the a-pillar when it rains. After the 2nd unit failure I asked again about the I-Key, but they are convinced it is the column lock actuator.

I hadn't done anything recently with the battery prior to this happening. I think I replaced the battery a year or so ago, and it has tested fine

It's my understanding that sometimes the motor that turns the worm gear sticks or wears out, and that's why sometimes you can free it up and get it to engage by banging on the unit. But I think that just prolongs the inevitable. And as for the emulators, yeah, I wish someone made one for the Infiniti's but I guess there just wasn't as much volume/demand as for the Nissans.

[1st35]

Thanks for updating us on this situation. Let us know how it turns out.

[JohnBoyFL]

Still waiting for this to be resolved... the dealership said the first new part arrived damaged, so then they had to order another one. They said the 2nd new one installed fine and they had the car starting just fine, but the key light is staying on. They think there is something else that might need to be reprogrammed but they are not sure what. They have reached out to Nissan/Infiniti support.

I think it's odd that they would have to do something different to a brand new part versus whatever they did to the used part that was originally working (and failed the next day). It's a bit of a never ending saga.

[1st35]

Things have a way of working out. All these electronic units just to deter theft and/or keep the car from being started is a bit much, especially if it fails. Thanks again for touching base.

[JohnBoyFL]

Final update (I hope). The dealership wasn't able to get the key light to clear but the car runs fine and doesn't seem to have issues. They said they worked through everything they could with Nissan/Infiniti support. I thought they had somehow been able to get ahold of a new steering lock column actuator, but now they've told me it was actually a remanufactured one. They said there must just be something weird with this particular unit. I wish they would have been a bit more straightforward about the part not being new to begin with, but at least we have the car back and it's working fine (have been driving it for almost a week now). They gave me $100 off the original repair quote.

[1st35]

Great news! Having to rely on someone else, especially the dealer, is a tough spot to be in. So glad you got it fixed.