Car will not recognize either key
 

Hey guys, was hoping you might be able to shine some light on this issue. I have done some reasearch but have came up unsuccessful. I am changing the battery today, but I don’t think that is the issue as both keys worked when I purchased the car a month ago. I just highly doubt the batteries died at the same time in two different fobs.

I have seen this is a common problem for the steering lock issue on 2009 and 10 models, but mine is a 2013. I haven’t seen any information about it affecting these.

What do you guys think?

Nissan quit putting ESCLs in Zs back in 2010 or 2011, so that's not the problem.

The FSM should have some troubleshooting info.

If no one comes up with a better idea, try resetting the ECM.

Rough night last night? You sure you're trying to open the right Z?

:tiphat:

Both my fob batteries went within 3 days of each other. I thought it was odd.

I have changed the batteries and it did not fix the problem. Any other ideas? It does recognize the key if I put it in the slot beside the wheel.

Unplug the battery for 5 Minutes, worth a shot.

I did unplug the battery, and it still will not recognize the key. Even tried the eco reset.

To add a little information. The only things that have changed in the past day were my windshield was tinted, and I removed the “console” around the shift knob only. I unplugged the main cable and double checked that I plugged it back in. This appears to be just for the hazards and sport mode.

Just seems odd both keys quit working the same day.

The wireless connections are in the console area from what I've heard and you might of missed that plug.

That would make sense since you claim the fob stopped working.

Is it in the console area as in storage bin area, or shift knob area? I only ask because I did not remove the “armrest” portion of the console

I would check everything.

While you were removing the parts you might of pulled it out and not noticed.

Double checked and it appears everything is in tact. A friend works at A local Infiniti dealer, and said they are prone to losing connection and have to be reprogrammed. I have not found this in searching. But we’ll find out I guess.

If you have removed any interior panels, I suspect Trips is right about an antenna or other wiring being knocked loose. FSM has wiring diagrams, harness routing, etc.

Found this

fob sensor

I will triple check again tomorrow, but the only thing I removed was the piece around the shifter to replace the knob. The plug is back towards the ebrake correct?

As for the link you posted, that is exactly the issue mine is having, down to the TPMS light being on. I just figured it was a coincidence. I still don’t see how that could be related.

Prone on the infiniti maybe - never heard of this being "prone" on the Z

If it still works in the fob slot it isn't a programming issue. This is an antenna connection issue.

I think I was wrong here - starting is based on an RF chip. locks and window auto down operation is based on programmed coded signal acceptance of the fob. Scroll down for my idiocy "light bulb engage"

That’s what I was thinking as well, because it will start if I put it in the slot.

I pulled the whole center out this time, and it appears that the piece was plugged in. I did pull it out and make sure it was back in place. Still will not recognize the key, any other ideas?

Elmo370z just had this problem, somehow the car forgot the fobs or something.. he had they reprogrammed and it resolved the problem.

http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...fob-light.html

I did see that thread, olny thing is that mine will start when I put it in the slot.

Here's a thought - what kinda of tint did you use? and not just on your windshield, but on the other windows too? dye tint? metallic layer? carbon? ceramic?

Metallic layer tint (and some versions of the "carbon" as well well prevent radio signals from working. If your fobs still work inside (including button pressing on fob with no feet on pedal or anything and not in slot) then you may have a radio interference issue, and that last strip of tint on the windshield was enough to weaken the signal to a point it couldn't be read anymore

Only other option is a damaged receiver/sensor or damaged/unplugged wiring. Nothing else passes muster as possible causes

Honestly I do not know what kind of tint it was. The windows were done when I purchase the car, so those didn’t change. Only the windshield tint did. I can find out tomorrow what kind of tint it was.

The car will not recognize the fob at all, inside, or outside of the car, windows up or down.

Ok, so my steering wheel will NOT lock. Is his the same issue that the 09 to 10’s had?

:iagree:

Alright - nix the tint portion of that then. Was a shot in the dark and hope gone in smoke lol

Gotta be that receiver sensor in the middle console then. Something is damaged or unhooked.

Try this - since we know it works when in the slot to start the car (which means the car is picking up the RF chip) see what happens if you get in, close the doors, keep feet and hands off everything, let the car time out (usually 30-60sec) and then place the fob next to but not in the slot and hit the buttons. Might be able to at least prove through process of elimination that the receiver in the mid console is the issue

EDIT: who has a link to the FSM??? Think I just answered my own question (or made it more convoluted...)! The car starts based on an RF chip signal. The RF does not require programming, it simply reacts to a radio signal, by altering and resonating out. The BUTTONS on the FOB carry a signal code in their transmission that is accepted or denied by the receiver in the console. I very well may have just proved myself wrong. If during removal and monkeying around with harness you were not unhooked at the battery neg, you may have caused a slight "burp" of the electrical system that caused the receiver to forget you... or intentionally flipped you off for not being mindful of sensitive electronic equipment lol

It was just a thought, I do realize they fixed the issue for the 09-10’s, but it’s odd that my steering does not lock at all, so that is another issue in itself I guess.


Ok, I left a Infiniti Dealership service department about a half hour ago. A friend of mine was nice enough to stay late and try to help me. He attempted to reprogram the key, the key was reprogrammed successfully, but it still will not recognize the key.

We disconnected the battery for 15 minutes just to ensure that all memory was lost. And again, reprogrammed the key. It still would not recognize the key.

I told him about the tint, and shift knob install, he assured me that the tint would not interfere with the signal inside the car. He also confirmed that what I removed to install the shift knob, would not have an effect on the wires/module that is under the armrest portion of the center console. But, we pulled the console out, and made for sure that it was plugged in securely, and it was.

It has been raining allot here lately, so he even pulled the kick panel off the passenger side to check and see if the module down there was wet. The whole area was dry as bone.

He said he would check with his supervisor tomorrow to see if there is anything else we can try.

your '13 doesn't have a steering lock.

Supervisor said he could not come up with anything else that could be causing the issue. There are no TSB's out for the 370. He said there is something aftermarket interfering with the signal.

Only thing is, there are no wires or switches in the car, or coming off the battery. Only aftermarket parts are tint, shift knob, and a catback.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Stumped. Maybe try replacing the antenna? Find someone local and see if they'll let you swap center consoles for troubleshooting

I thought about this, but according to the guy at Infiniti, there is more than one antenna, and they cant find where they are...... Doesn't make sense to me.

Figures the dealer has no idea :rolleyes:

It's in the damn FSM. There is a diagram that specifically identifies the location of each one. It's in the Door & Lock section under the Intelligent Key System chapter.

I will look through it again, must have overlooked it.

even still, shouldn't the other antennas pick up the key?

I did find it this time. The interior sensors are under the center console, and in the "hatch" area. The exterior is behind the rear bumper.

I just find it hard to believe that all these sensors went out at the same time.
And it cant be an issue with the computer to me, because it would not accept the key in the slot. And they key was successfully reprogrammed as my spare no longer works.

All they have to do is look in the FSM. Shouldn't be difficult for an Infiniti dealer to get one.

The exterior antenna is for the door locks. The interior antennae have to see the fob in order for the car to start.

Correct, and neither feature is working. I am just out of ideas as what to do other than replace every single antenna in the car.

Since all antennae seem to be inop, see if the FSM has a location for the fuse. :tip hat:

pg 1153 of the 2011 FSM might be a start point. Seems there is a antenna receiver...

Would you mind linking me to the FSM you are talking about? The one I am using is broken up into sections and has roughly 30 pages in each section. Each section starts over at page 1.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bse3w8qwz...ice+Manual.pdf


:tiphat:

Thanks man! That was very helpful! I have been going over it in my spare time the past few days and I have yet to find a fuse for the sensor that receives information from the key.

To me that HAS to be the issue since the key completely stopped working all together. I just switched batteries with another vehicle at the house, and the remote to that vehicle worked. So battery is not the issue. They key fob has been tested by a dealer and it IS sending out a signal. And the key has been successfully reprogrammed since my spare will no longer work in the slot. So to me the problem has to lie either in a fuse for the key signal receiver, or in the receiver it’s self.