Ignition Doesn't Turn
 

Hey everybody, glad to be here. I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE and my ignition cylinder locked up, specifically it would not turn. I was able to tear everything off the column and jump certain wires and make the engine run with the key inside the locked up ignition cylinder. I could not drive it because the steering lock wouldn't disengage. I had it towed back home and removed the entire ignition switch assembly, attempted to perform the same procedure that made it run previously but now I get a crank no start. Everything is plugged in and the same, the only thing that changed is the cylinder is no longer in the vehicle. My key is inside the car. Does anyone have more information on how to proceed or anywhere I can find legit diagrams so I could successfully grasp what needs to happen in order to make this engine run again? Any information would be greatly appreciated as time is of the essence (isn't it always) and I'd really like to not have to go out and buy a different car.

Thanks!

Anyway I got it working. If you have a key you can wire your own ignition switch as long as the immobilizer control unit is mounted on the (now mechanically disabled) tumbler/steering lock assembly correctly and the key is inside of the antenna ring. There are almost certainly much better ways to do this than how I did but it's working fine so, whatever.

Welcome to the forums!

Glad to hear that you got it to work! The Nissan NATS system could be very finicky. If you don't mind, could you post some pictures and maybe even a small write up on steps done to get it to work.

No interest in fixing things properly?

I wanted to keep expenses down so I guess yes that's correct. However the vehicle is indeed fully functional with the exception of the steering lock which I could not care less about keeping so I say that it's been fixed properly enough.

a pic would be nice to see, but nice work in figuring it out!

LOL, it wasn't broken to begin with. You have to yank the wheel back and forth if it's stuck. Usually, just a jiggle works. It's a nissan wheel thing.

Yeah I'm pretty sure the key has to turn to position 1 to release the steering lock and my ignition would not turn at all with the key inside.

i did think of this as well, but assumed they tried the wiggle

thats what he is describing, did you at least try to wiggle the steering with the key in there to be able to turn the key? its a weird thing but it happens sometimes. i think this happened on my 3rd gen too sometimes.

I’ve also had this happen when I quickly shifted to park on level ground. On startup steering wheel would not unlock, ignition wouldn’t budge. Wrestled with it for an hour and gave up. Then realized the gears never actually seated into PARK. Rocked the car back and forth, heard the familiar ‘click’ and problem solved.

I towed cars for many years and sometimes removing the key with the steering not centered can cause issues.