Intelligent Key System Warning Light...

AviatorTim

I just got a call from the dealership. I had the same problem as everyone else. Intelligent Key fail light came on. Car would not start or even go into accessory mode. Towed to dealership. It was the steering wheel lock solenioid (no surprise there). Dealership said it is covered by a recall.

I'm not an attorney but it seems you guys who paid big $'s to get it fixed before the recall should have a good case to demand reimbursement from Nissan.

avantgti7

Hey Guys,

Let me add to the saga of stories on this thread. When I left for work yesterday morning, I noticed my car was hesitating/stumbling/misfiring as I accelerated out of my neighborhood. The symptoms were very similar to that of a failing/failed coil-pack. I proceeded to drive the car back home and park it in the garage. Then I took another car to work. When I came home after work to try to diagnose the issue, my car wouldn't start at all. I had AAA tow my car out of my garage to a local dealer that I have been dealing with for a while. This same dealer had performed the famous steering lock recall that many of you have talked about. The symptoms of my car are that it locks and unlocks with the remote (replaced with new battery). When you get in the car and you try to start it, it will not get past the "ACC" mode of ignition. Also, a yellow key shows up on the left of the instrument cluster. The dealership called me back today and said they think its the IPDM (intelligent power distribution module). It is going to cost me a little under $1,200 to fix! The car is a 2009 with 51K so it is out of warranty. After doing some research on the internet, it seems like the steering lock and the IPDM has failed on many Nissan models including the 370Z for the 2007-2009 years. Nissan should honor the replacement of the steering lock and the IPDM as a combined recall. The dealership believes that the misfiring I was experiencing was connected with the failing IPDM. If that is the case, this is also a safety issue. I called Nissan consumer affairs and filed a complaint and I should get a call on Monday. I will let you all know what they say. This 370Z was my dream car. However, in my 4 years of ownership, I have had the following issues: excessive oil consumption resulting in a short block replacement and then a long block when that didn't work, sticking clutch pedal, and now this IPDM issue. The dream has turned into a nightmare and I am starting to look into a replacement vehicle. Anyhow, I am looking for some kind of resolution from Nissan or else I am going to the BBB.

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phunk

I will call them or stop by, cause now the key light is stuck on. If they replace it for me should I take the fuse back out again or will it not just happen again?

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40th_z

hey guys, so a few weeks ago i was having the same issue. i'd get in press clutch it wouldn't start, it simply go to lock. i went to nissan for that recall replacement. drop it off, came back and the tech said issue was fixed, i jumped in and tried it out, at first it seemed like nothing had changed, it didnt start right up. then the tech jumped in and sure enough it worked just fine for him, i tried it again and it appeared to be back to normal. past few days, it starts up at the first touch of the button but then theres times when it still goes to lock and i have to try 2-3 times. when i first got the car less than a year ago, the start was so smooth, i'd hit clutch and slight touch of button and car would start right up, i'm want to fix this issue. any suggestions???

Hi-TecDesigns

So I had my lock module replaced (on my dime) in early '02. Got the recall notice earliy this year, and I just had the work done two weeks ago. Faxed everything in and I'm waiting on the check.

The replaced part was an 'A' or 'B' (don't know which), and a 'C' was put in its place originally. To get the refund, I had to take it back into the dealer to make sure the updated part is in there... no, so they put a 'D' in and I'm on my way again.

I'd love to be reimbursed for the multiple days of trouble, but that's life.

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Hi-TecDesigns

Check received this past weekend... good turnaround time on Nissan Corp's part. Roughly two weeks.

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ajc1884

Pull the fuse people!!!! End of discussion.

pbs370z

2010Z
Intelligent Key light flashes: Not the end of discussion for me. I pulled the fuse. Still no start. Engine cranks but wont start. All other accessories seem ok.

Update: Found it to be nothing more than low battery in Key!

I was miles from home (or any store that might have a battery, of course), so I tried everything I could think of as I was stranded out in the middle of nowhere Colorado. The posts and blogs that
I read really led me down the wrong road, making me think I had some module failure or problem. Well, after having the wife come out and rescue me with my truck and a nice long tow rope, we began the long trek back home on the back roads toward home. About halfway home I remembered about the spare key I had the wife bring (along with various tools). So, just for the helluvit, I got the key from wifey and voila! Car started right up like magic. I was both pizzed and relieved at the same time. A low battery in this electronic key was the last thing I suspected, as it was still locking/unlocking the doors from a 100 ft away and allowing the engine to crank. Only that pesky little Intelligent Key red warning light was flashing. All I can imagine is that it requires a little more battery voltage to enable the engine to actually start. Different transmitter circuit in the Key? Heck if I know. I only wish the owner's manual had been a little more helpful and suggested that it could be a low battery condition in the key. What a fiasco!

Also: according to user's manual, there should have been a key low battery indicator warning light which I did not have. So, I have to assume there's some sort of bug in the software or hardware of my Intelligent Key system.

jadeb0x

You have to pull the fuse before you have the issue arise, not after the fact. However, if you are saying the engine is cranking, then that's likely a different issue. The intelligent key issue is when you push the start button, and nothing happens.

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2f2flol

Add my 2010 nismo to the thread. Died at lunch today. Glad there is a recall to fix the issue.

avantgti7

Sorry to hear that. Nissan's corporate consumer affairs office called me back saying that they would pay $340 of my bill or about 30% of it equivalent to just the labor portion. Not a full reimbursement but I will take it.

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'09 Nissan 370Z Touring/Sport Package - AAM CBE
'02 Suzuki SV650S - Delkevic Slip-On

ayrton88

You should be re-reimbursed for the full amount...per the recall. At least that is way I understood it.

xpenziv

I was told my 2 months new to me 2010 roadster had an open recall for the lock. I did not have any problems with it but brought it in last week. The light has been on since and I have brought it back twice already this week. They say there are no codes so it is working right, argh! Lesson learned- if it ain't broke don't fix it. I think I have to call Nissan tomorrow.

Jazzster

Gah! My 2010 is waiting on the part as well, covered at no cost to me. I'm going to pull the fuse when I get home and call it fixed.

James

chii370

Im a bit confused by this thread, the "problem" seems to be all over the place, but the symptom is consistent. Its been about 3 weeks since that retarded a55 key light turned on in my car. Its on all the time, but ive never had any issues locking, unlocking, steering wheel, or starting the car. Is it inevitably going to happen? Or does it have different causes? I changed my key bat last night, no better. You may also notice i have recently posted in the SMODE thread with my SMODE randomly failing with no reason "3 times now" over the past few months. Could this all be related in one big ****** up ECU issue?

Im in PA on vacation so if the car fails here there isnt much i can do. I have no tint, no stupid aftermarket alarm, and the only mod on the car was an exhast "no tune" have other parts, but no money to install. Is it 100% going to fail? Its been almost a month since that small orange key light came on on the left side console.