Wouldn't start! Key fob issue.
 

So I left work on Wednesday night and noticed that there was a little yellow light that said "KEY" above it lit on the dash after I started the car. It is just to the left of the gas gauge in the left hand pod. I assumed that it meant that the battery in my fob was getting low - it has been about 2.5 years since I bought the car. I couldn't go get a battery that night, so the next morning it was still on, but the car started and I backed it out of the garage to do some work on my garage door. When I went to put it back in the garage, the car would not start. Nothing when I pressed the start button. I tried several times to get it started by putting the fob in the "fobgina" but to no avail. I got the other key and still no luck. I called the dealer and they said it was probably the fob batteries. I went there and had them replace the batteries in both fobs. No luck - still would not start. After another call to the dealer and a tow to their garage, they spent about two hours working on it. Luckily it is still under warrantee.

They eventually "reset" the module that reads the keys and had to reprogram both keys. It started fine and I drove it home. I wasn't comfortable with things, but they said that if I had any issues to call them back. Anyway, this morning the light was on again, but the car started fine. I quickly called the dealer and took it back this morning. They say that they are "95%" sure that it is the motor that locks and unlocks the steering column and they have ordered the part to replace it. i drove it home and the light is now off.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? I am a little leery of going too far away from home and getting stranded, but it seems like an intertmittant problem. I can believe that the batteries in both fobs may have been low, but neither worked even when insterted in he dash. Hopefully the dealer knows what they are doing. The tech said that when it came in the first time that the steering lock motor didn't respond to the module until they reset the module. It then worked properly, until this morning. The new parts will be in on Friday and I will have to take it back in.

Sorry for the long post, but this is the first time that my Z has been in the shop for anything. It also looked very pitiful sitting up on the flat bed being taken to the dealer. I am wondering if this has happend to anyone else.

AZ

There are several good threads on the steering column lock issue, check those out

the steering lock issue will NOT allow the car to start. you have another issue there.

It sounds like what others are experiencing with the steering lock to me... check the threads, there are a few floating around.

I love this forum!
 

Well I read most of the posts on this issue and it looks like my dealer correctly diagnosed the steering lock assy as the culprit, according to most of the info that I read on the other treads. I just called them and confirmed that they actually ordered the right number - the one that ends in "D". Hopefully that will take car of things. The tech said that he was 95% sure that it was the steering lock assy, but there is a small chance that it is the IPDM. Either way, if the assy doesn't fix it they will then replace the IPDM.

I can't stress enough how helpful this forum can be when issues like this come up. Here I was thinking that this had only happened to me. It's great to hear that others have had the same issue and can enlighten others regarding the correct fix.

A big thanks to everyone that helped!:tup:

AZ

Wat ever it is hope they fix it for you. .

Looks like the steering lock assy. is on back order:shakes head:. It may be two more weeks before they get the part at my dealership. At least it's winter and I wasn't driving it much anyway.

AZ

Yeah and the person that wrote the DIY did it as a precaution and I think they paid $500 for the part... def want the dealership covering this one.