Can not turn steering wheel, car does not start
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Can not turn steering wheel, car does not start
I installed the remote start on my 2017 RX350. The remote start works as expected for a few times and now would not start (both using the remote or push start button) and the steering wheel is locked. I need to turn the steering wheel in order to remove the two screws from the steering column (see images below) in order to remove the wiring hardness. Pressing the push start button 2 times did not help turning the steering wheel. Does any one know a way to unlock the steering wheel so that I can turn the steering wheel to left or right? Thanks in advance!
#2
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Not sure about unlocking the steering wheel but I was able to get to the 7 Pin SLP harness/connector by extending the steering wheel telescopic all the way out and removing the lower dash trim panel. You can see it from underneath and need a flashlight and a long thin flat blade screwdriver to unlatch it but it is possible.
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westfw (02-26-22)
#3
Sometimes with the steering wheel turned too far in one direction, the column has too much pressure on the lock mechanism to unlock with the start button. You may have to ease the pressure of the wheel in one direction or another while you press the button the take the tension off the lock mechanism.
Randy B
Randy B
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jollick (02-24-22)
#4
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Not sure about unlocking the steering wheel but I was able to get to the 7 Pin SLP harness/connector by extending the steering wheel telescopic all the way out and removing the lower dash trim panel. You can see it from underneath and need a flashlight and a long thin flat blade screwdriver to unlatch it but it is possible.
Last edited by test_accou; 02-24-22 at 07:00 AM.
#5
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Sometimes with the steering wheel turned too far in one direction, the column has too much pressure on the lock mechanism to unlock with the start button. You may have to ease the pressure of the wheel in one direction or another while you press the button the take the tension off the lock mechanism.
Randy B
Randy B
Last edited by test_accou; 02-24-22 at 06:49 AM.
#7
Try holding your key fob Lexus emblem facing the start button against the start button and pushing the start button at the same time, possible that the pcm didn’t see the key inside the vehicle at its 10 second after start check and locked you out. Maybe the fob directly against the button will work?
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#8
Advanced
That is the lower air bag. There are a few 10mm bolts that need to be removed first.. Be real careful with it and don't disconnect the Yellow connectors. Just gently lay it on the mat without any strain on the Yellow harness. I also removed the trim piece that goes along the center console up to the dash. It just pulls away from the console with 4 fasteners.
Is the steering column fully extended out? That might give you enough gap to see the 7 Pin SLP plug.
Unfortunately, the Wife has the RX with her or I would take a quick look to verify.
Is the steering column fully extended out? That might give you enough gap to see the 7 Pin SLP plug.
Unfortunately, the Wife has the RX with her or I would take a quick look to verify.
#9
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
That is the lower air bag. There are a few 10mm bolts that need to be removed first.. Be real careful with it and don't disconnect the Yellow connectors. Just gently lay it on the mat without any strain on the Yellow harness. I also removed the trim piece that goes along the center console up to the dash. It just pulls away from the console with 4 fasteners.
Is the steering column fully extended out? That might give you enough gap to see the 7 Pin SLP plug.
Unfortunately, the Wife has the RX with her or I would take a quick look to verify.
Is the steering column fully extended out? That might give you enough gap to see the 7 Pin SLP plug.
Unfortunately, the Wife has the RX with her or I would take a quick look to verify.
Last edited by test_accou; 02-26-22 at 02:48 PM.
#10
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Try holding your key fob Lexus emblem facing the start button against the start button and pushing the start button at the same time, possible that the pcm didn’t see the key inside the vehicle at its 10 second after start check and locked you out. Maybe the fob directly against the button will work?
#11
Hopefully one of the main connectors came apart and you can reinsert the connector and all is well. There is a very informative video on smart keys by the car care nut, he goes into detail about how gen 3 and 4 keys work, ours are included in that. He talked about a comms wire for the smart key system that if it is spliced or broken it could lock you out of the vehicle even with a good working key. Hopefully it winds up being a bad splice or unplugged main connector man, that sucks it went like that! I installed a genuine Lexus RES on my 2014 Es350, no problems, I see many CL members who swear by the 12volt remote star systems and few others, hope you get up and running soon. Maybe reach out to the tech troubleshooting department of the remote start company?
Frank
Frank
#12
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Hopefully one of the main connectors came apart and you can reinsert the connector and all is well. There is a very informative video on smart keys by the car care nut, he goes into detail about how gen 3 and 4 keys work, ours are included in that. He talked about a comms wire for the smart key system that if it is spliced or broken it could lock you out of the vehicle even with a good working key. Hopefully it winds up being a bad splice or unplugged main connector man, that sucks it went like that! I installed a genuine Lexus RES on my 2014 Es350, no problems, I see many CL members who swear by the 12volt remote star systems and few others, hope you get up and running soon. Maybe reach out to the tech troubleshooting department of the remote start company?
Frank
Frank
I already reached out to the remote start tech support but he offered no help
What you said is make more sense to me. I installed the remote start by connecting remote start wiring hardness to two connectors, 1- Steering Lock Connector and 2- Main body ECU.
I suspect that the Sterling Lock Connector (location #1) may be bad. It is on the right side of the steering column, the Steering column going in and out may have pushed/stretched the wire/connector. Also the steering wheel is locked slightly to the right and I can not unlock it. How do I verify/test each wire from the Steering Lock Connector/wiring hardness?
Last edited by test_accou; 02-26-22 at 03:03 PM.
#13
Advanced
If you remove the Fortin T-Harness/EVO-One unit and bring the RX back to original condition does everything work OK?
If yes, then the Lexus harness and connector is OK and the issue is in the T-Harness.
Look for "pushed pins" and bent pins in the connectors. Pushed pins are when the wire backs out of the connector. Each pin has a retainer that secures it into the connector so it makes good contact. Pushed pins are sometimes difficult to see but if you gently pull on each wire at the connector you will see and feel it.
If yes, then the Lexus harness and connector is OK and the issue is in the T-Harness.
Look for "pushed pins" and bent pins in the connectors. Pushed pins are when the wire backs out of the connector. Each pin has a retainer that secures it into the connector so it makes good contact. Pushed pins are sometimes difficult to see but if you gently pull on each wire at the connector you will see and feel it.
#14
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
If you remove the Fortin T-Harness/EVO-One unit and bring the RX back to original condition does everything work OK?
If yes, then the Lexus harness and connector is OK and the issue is in the T-Harness.
Look for "pushed pins" and bent pins in the connectors. Pushed pins are when the wire backs out of the connector. Each pin has a retainer that secures it into the connector so it makes good contact. Pushed pins are sometimes difficult to see but if you gently pull on each wire at the connector you will see and feel it.
If yes, then the Lexus harness and connector is OK and the issue is in the T-Harness.
Look for "pushed pins" and bent pins in the connectors. Pushed pins are when the wire backs out of the connector. Each pin has a retainer that secures it into the connector so it makes good contact. Pushed pins are sometimes difficult to see but if you gently pull on each wire at the connector you will see and feel it.
#15
Advanced
Check the Lexus 7 Pin harness for any visible wire damage. I think you can drop it down a bit to check. Strange that that harness would have an issue, Lexus has it routed/secured pretty well. Did you try a battery disconnect reset on the entire RX? Maybe that will correct the issue.