Steering wheel won't lock, and QX4 (90,000 miles) starter does nothing.

[dk203040]

Steering wheel won't lock, and QX4 (90,000 miles) starter does nothing.

It does not start until I keep trying and trying the key, and then it finally starts.

This began yesterday. The transmission shifter is stuck in park until it starts. The steering wheel lock does not engage. The steering wheel can be turned when the key is out.

I try turning the key. Turing the wheel. Then after many tries, the Qx4 will start. No codes. Everything else is working normally.

Is the problem with the plastic ignition switch again?

I did replace the electric part of the ignition switch a few months ago, because at that time, nothing would happen when I turned the key repeatedly, then finally it would start. (I did not check the steering wheel lock at that time, so I don't know if this is the same situation.)

[mdmellott]

Is the problem with the plastic ignition switch again?

If you used one of those 30 day warranty, $15 ignition switch replacements, it has likely reached the end of it's expected life. Something more reliable like Beck/Arnley or the original Infiniti/Nissan brand 48750-0M010 is advisable for this simple but critical part.

[dk203040]

Are you saying that the plastic electronic switch controls locking and unlocking the steering wheel in addition to engaging the the starter motor?

I hope I understand this correctly!!!

[mdmellott]

No. Not that I'm aware of. You may have more issues than just that switch, to begin with, before you replaced it. The steering lock set, onto which the switch mounts, may have issues causing the steering wheel to not lock up when it should.

[dk203040]

Do you know if removing the ignition switch when the steering wheel is not locked will be a problem?

I did replace this switch 2 times this year. In February with a Beck/Amley switch and after a month it began acting up. Then I replace that switch in April and not almost would not kick the started until I tried many times last night.

I will put the Beck/Amley switch back in probably this evening.

Thanks for all your help! Much appreciated!

[mdmellott]

I don't think that will be a problem. I was reading on this forum that the steering lock set is totally mechanical, so there shouldn't be any electrical issue. I also read that many other owners have had their steering wheel no longer locking when it should and they never did anything to fix it, nor did it give them any other issues just because it was not locking.
steering-wheel-lock-t285811.html#p3037483

[dk203040]

Appreciated. Thank you again. I'm gonna look for the switch that I removed and see if it will work for awhile.

I don't have confidence in the version that Infiniti is selling. it went out at about 86,000 miles.

[mdmellott]

22 years old and 86K miles. That's great! My '02 has 235K miles on it. I replaced my ignition switch about 10 years ago and half the milage I have on it now. Some things are best left as OE when they need replacing. I replaced mine with the same original switch that your QX4 uses.

[dk203040]

Installed a new Beck/Arnley ignition switch once again (on Sunday)!

QX4 is starting every time, ...so far.

The steering wheel does not lock.
What is wrong with the steering wheel locking mechanism? Where to look?

[VStar650CL]

That's inside the cylinder and it's purely mechanical, not affected by the electrical part. It may just be worn out. If so, the only fix is probably a new cylinder. The shift lock is a different story, that has a cable and it's usually the cable which causes issues, not the cylinder or shifter.

[mdmellott]

There is not much written up on it in the FSM. Here's an image of the lock on page ST-12.
https://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual ... 3%2FST.pdf

[mdmellott]

If the cylinder has to be replaced, it looks like a PITA. Drilling holes in shear-head screws and then removing the screws with a screw extractor is never as easy as it sounds. This is the write-up from my Haynes repair manual.

[VStar650CL]

If the cylinder has to be replaced, it looks like a PITA. Drilling holes in shear-head screws and then removing the screws with a screw extractor is never as easy as it sounds. This is the write-up from my Haynes repair manual.

Those security screws seldom get any corrosion, Md. Usually you can use a sharp punch and a hammer to get them to budge, then they come out with fingers. I'd have a drill and an easy-out handy just in case, but it's very rarely necessary.

[mdmellott]

The steering wheel does not lock.
What is wrong with the steering wheel locking mechanism? Where to look?

I could not recall when the last time my steering wheel lock was engaged so I was curious if I could fix it if it was not working. Just checked and it is working but I think it might be possible to fix if it is just a gunched up spring pin not popping out when it should. This image below shows this pin that pops out when the key if off and the wheel is turned slightly to the right. The pin retracts when the key is turned. If there is dirt and grime in and around where the pin slides in and out with spring tension it has, it might be possible to free up the sticky pin by cleaning the sliding action with alcohol or an electrical contact spray cleaner. Maybe just a shot of silicone spray lubricant would do the trick. You would still have to remove the lock-set but it's worth doing if it's worth it to you, so you can fix it instead of replacing it.

[dk203040]

I so appreciate your details and the outstanding images and photos!

And please forgive me for the really long delayed reply. (Life gets in the way sometimes.)

So a couple things here... The photo of the "pin lock' shows it as being a thick metal rectangle, and not a whimpey weak skinny pin.

The lock pin looks different than photos and descriptions of the lock pins for other vehicles.

I was thinking that most likely it was related to the electric ignition switch, that I have had to replace 3 times within in a pretty short period. My steering wheel lock stopped working very recently. But now it looks unrelated.

Every once in a while the steering wheel would stay locked until I fiddled with it a bit to finally unlock it.

I'm now guessing that a parking attendant, (within the past few weeks), broke the pin lock with intentional force. (I almost never leave the QX4 with a with a parking attendant).

I was thinking the pin was small and vulnerable, BUT in the photo that you posted, the 'lock pin' is a pretty thick rectangle, not like a tiny pin.

So could the attendant easily break that thick rectangle lock???

Regarding fixing the steering wheel lock, I guess I'm better off leaving it as is is. Yes? No?

It's only the steering wheel that is not locking. The transmission selector lever is working normally with no related problem.

Is the only benefit to fixing the steering wheel lock, to serve as a theft deterrent? And maybe also for grabbing the steering wheel for leverage when getting in and out of the QX4? I miss that.

Am I missing anything else?

[mdmellott]

The pin is too big to easily break carelessly. The mechanism inside the lock cylinder, that allows the pin to retract, may have been damaged if too much force was applied to turning the key while the steering column was locked up. The steering column hole which the pin locks into is often pressed onto the side of the pin, which will not allow the key to be turned unless you twist hard on the key. That is not something that should ever be done. Turning the steering wheel slightly to the right or left, depending what side of the pin the hole is pressed against, while trying to turn the key at the same time, allows the pin to retract on its own, with the small spring tension it has. Forcing the key to turn is going to break something.

The steering lock is some amount of theft deterrent and it is also a sure way to keep the front wheels turned while parked on a hill. If the car happens to roll for any reason, the wheels will turn the car and bump into the curb to hopefully stop the car from rolling any further. It's a nice to have feature.

[dk203040]

That is a good feature to have. I kind of miss the steering wheel lock.

If I remove the lock set to try and fix it, will I mess the the vehicle's settings, or cause more problems? What problems doing this job?

Looks like the steering wheel does not need to come off. Right?

BTW: the new ignition switch has already randomly missed a start 3 separate times on the first try. Makes me nervous. But I can now change the switch while pretty much sitting upright in the driver's seat. ...skills

and this is the second Beck/Arnley switch from Amazon.

Appreciating the help. Thank you once again!

[mdmellott]

The steering wheel does not need to me removed. Getting those shear-head head screws out will be the only challenge. The hex-head of those bolts will be broken off. Replacement bolts from a Nissan/Infiniti dealer (48703-06F00) or aftermarket from Amazon will be needed. There won't be any issues of anything electrically getting out of sync by removing the lock cylinder. Beck/Arnley had a good reputation for as long as I can remember, as did the Bosch brand of components, but too many past reputable brands have lost their quality control when they started sourcing their parts from China. You would be better off buying an original Nissan/Infiniti switch.

[dk203040]

If the cylinder has to be replaced, it looks like a PITA. Drilling holes in shear-head screws and then removing the screws with a screw extractor is never as easy as it sounds. This is the write-up from my Haynes repair manual.

Those security screws seldom get any corrosion, Md. Usually you can use a sharp punch and a hammer to get them to budge, then they come out with fingers. I'd have a drill and an easy-out handy just in case, but it's very rarely necessary.

Could you explain this a bit? Is this an easy do or not? And what does Md mean here?

Thanks.

[dk203040]

The steering wheel does not need to me removed. Getting those shear-head head screws out will be the only challenge. The hex-head of those bolts will be broken off. Replacement bolts from a Nissan/Infiniti dealer (48703-06F00) or aftermarket from Amazon will be needed. There won't be any issues of anything electrically getting out of sync by removing the lock cylinder. Beck/Arnley had a good reputation for as long as I can remember, as did the Bosch brand of components, but too many past reputable brands have lost their quality control when they started sourcing their parts from China. You would be better off buying an original Nissan/Infiniti switch.

Fantastic photos again. Have you done this repair. I think I remember you writing that you were only considering do the repair.

And next time the ignition gives up, I'll probably go direct to the dealer. But they all look the same as the original.

[mdmellott]

I have not done this repair before but I know I could if I had to. There is no screw-head left on the currently installed screws so they need to be removed by an alternative means. The drilling and screw extractor method can be difficult. I like the punch method VStar mentioned. You need a small center punch to strike the outer perimeter face of the screw with a glancing blow to attempt rotating the screw enough to loosen it.

[VStar650CL]

Those security screws seldom get any corrosion, Md. Usually you can use a sharp punch and a hammer to get them to budge, then they come out with fingers. I'd have a drill and an easy-out handy just in case, but it's very rarely necessary.

Could you explain this a bit? Is this an easy do or not? And what does Md mean here?

Md = @mdmellott.

He just explained using the punch and hammer, so I won't re-explain it. The only thing I'll add is that it needs to be sharp, stuff like a carpenters' finishing nail punch won't work well.

[dk203040]

I have not done this repair before but I know I could if I had to. There is no screw-head left on the currently installed screws so they need to be removed by an alternative means. The drilling and screw extractor method can be difficult. I like the punch method VStar mentioned. You need a small center punch to strike the outer perimeter face of the screw with a glancing blow to attempt rotating the screw enough to loosen it.

A picture is worth 1,000 words !!!
And the details are much appreciated and needed.

Thank you.

Again, I am curious to know if that lock pin could either broken or overridden with intentional force by a person ?

[dk203040]

Could you explain this a bit? Is this an easy do or not? And what does Md mean here?

Md = @mdmellott.

He just explained using the punch and hammer, so I won't re-explain it. The only thing I'll add is that it needs to be sharp, stuff like a carpenters' finishing nail punch won't work well.

Good to know. Thank you for taking the time and providing the details.

I still love this 2003 QX4 with 90,600 miles. Original owner. And am a previous owner of the 1999 version QX4 and same silver color with black interior.

[VStar650CL]