The ignition switch on the 1998 Nissan Maxima is a combination switch, in that it combines the ignition switch and the ignition key switch. To remove the ignition switch, you must remove the steering wheel, which requires that you remove the air bag. Always ground yourself to dissipate any static electricity before handling the air bag so that it does not deploy accidentally.
Turn the steering wheel until it is right side up and level. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Wait for 10 minutes to continue, as the air bag is still armed and could inflate during that 10-minute period.
Remove the screws under the lower lid on the steering wheel, then remove the lower lid. Unplug the yellow air bag electrical connector. Unbolt and remove both side lids from the steering wheel using the appropriate socket. Remove the air-bag-to-steering-wheel bolts using a Torx bit, then discard the bolts.
Lift the air bag up and place it in the back seat, making sure the pad side faces up. Unplug the horn connector and remove the nuts. Matchmark the steering wheel flange to the top of the steering column shaft to ensure that the steering wheel is reinstalled in the same place from which you remove it.
Remove the large steering-wheel-to-steering-column nut. Install the steering wheel puller and pull the steering wheel from the steering column. Unplug and remove the spiral cable assembly. Unbolt the combination ignition switch and remove it from the steering column. It will still be attached at the other end, so do not pull on the wiring harness.
Remove the steering column nuts, located under the steering column below the dash. Lower the steering column. If the ignition switch has an interlock cable, disconnect the cable. Disconnect the ignition switch wiring harness. Remove the bolts holding the steering lock, then remove the steering lock assembly.
Install the new lock assembly using new shear-type bolts. Connect the new ignition switch wiring harness and the interlock cable.
Push the steering column up and screw the mounting nuts back onto the steering column bolts. Firmly tighten the nuts. Reinstall the cable assembly, the combination (ignition) switch and the steering column covers using the appropriate sockets.
Smear multi-purpose grease on the surface of the turn signal cancel pin (located on the turn signal) and the horn contact slip ring (located on the horn). Line the matchmarks up and reinstall the steering wheel. Do not hammer the steering wheel to get it on, as you could collapse the steering column.
Tighten the large steering-wheel-to-steering-column nut. Reconnect the horn electrical connector and install the nuts. Line up the spiral cable, if it was removed. Slide the air bag into place, then secure it with new Torx bolts. Reinstall the side lids on the steering wheel. Plug in the air bag connector, then reinstall the lower lid for the steering wheel. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Check that the air bag light turns on, then shuts off after seven seconds.
