Getting a new key with remote (2003 Infiniti M45)

[mindovermatter81]

Anyone know where I can get a key/ remote for my '03 M45, cheaper than the $280 at the dealership?
Modified by mindovermatter81 at 2:13 PM 11/8/2007

[mindovermatter81]

I was thinking one of these..

http://search.ebay.com/search/...gory0=

[szh]

I was thinking one of these..

http://search.ebay.com/search/...gory0=

None of those look right ... they do not have the "pointy" part that inserts into the dash to engage with the car starting electronics.

Z

[mindovermatter81]

None of those look right ... they do not have the "pointy" part that inserts into the dash to engage with the car starting electronics.

Z

Maybe that's only to open the doors, I'd have to investigate. I've actually never seen what an original key should look like.

[DRIPS]

I just purchased a key for 35 dollar. it was used but pretty much you cant tell!

i went to the dealer and bought a new key blank (25 dollars).

I programmed my key myself which is posted on this forum (stick key in and out of ignigtion...etc...)

dont spend more than 35 for the fob...they are out there!!!

here is a good example (and pic ) of the key for our car

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

[lfj2025]

You can program another key to open your doors & trunk yourself but won't start your car until you go to the dealer for them to program it to your car. You'll need to take both keys, dealer by me charges $25 for the service.

[szh]

here is a good example (and pic ) of the key for our car

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

Yes, this is the correct one!

Z

[mindovermatter81]

Ok, so I'm about to do a "buy it now" for this key

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...:1120

from what I understand though, I still would need to go to the dealer to have them program it (which should be about $85..), would I also need to buy some kind of blank key from the dealer? The key I currently have is just a normal one, that fits in the ignition... Sorry to be redundant, just want to make sure I don't buy this off of Ebay then, am not able to use it for whatever reason..

[szh]

Ok, so I'm about to do a "buy it now" for this key

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...:1120

That looks like the correct one, yes.

from what I understand though, I still would need to go to the dealer to have them program it (which should be about $85..),

Yes, and all keyfobs need to be programmed at the same time ... so take all of them to the dealer. Some dealers do this for free, if you are a good customer and have them do other work, etc.

would I also need to buy some kind of blank key from the dealer?

That is only necessary if you want the key insert inside the remote to be able to open your doors, trunk, etc. If not, then whatever is in there now (see the picture on the auction - I wonder if that is included in the purchase!) is just for use as the attachment for key-chain.

The key I currently have is just a normal one, that fits in the ignition... Sorry to be redundant, just want to make sure I don't buy this off of Ebay then, am not able to use it for whatever reason..

Hmmm ... I am confused by this statement. AFAIK, the key insert that is stuck inside this remote is not used to turn the car on ... it is only for the doors and the trunk. The whole keyfob is inserted into the steering column/dash to start the engine ... unless I have totally misunderstood something above (or about my car!).

Z

[szh]

Hmmm ... I am confused by this statement. AFAIK, the key insert that is stuck inside this remote is not used to turn the car on ... it is only for the doors and the trunk. The whole keyfob is inserted into the steering column/dash to start the engine ... unless I have totally misunderstood something above (or about my car!).

Yup. I just verified this ... it is also mentioned in the Owner's Manual (page 3-2 and 3-3). The "emergency key" (the insert inside the remote), which is what is inserted in the remote, cannot be used to start the engine, but it can be used to release the steering wheel lock.

So ... I don't understand this thread now, I think. There is no standard "key" (metal with the usual tumbler contact ridges, etc.) that is used to start the car, as far as I know! Only the entire remote fob is inserted into the steering column/dash and turned. See picture below for what I mean!

Can you post a picture of what it is you currently use to start the car?

Z

[Andrew224]

Yes, I'm interested as well as to what you've been using to start your car.

[mindovermatter81]

Ahh, ok, I see what key insert you all mean, like the type Mercedes has..Well I don't have a camera here at work to take a picture of the key, but it's just your typical key from any normal car, looks like the place I purchased it from didn't have the key/remote and made one that would open the door and start the engine. It sucks that when I flew to Dallas for my car I ended up getting this key, but it's the last thing I thought about asking if they had.. Oh do you have the original keys...? Oh well.. So Infiniti Service told me about 280 for the key and 85 to program it.. I wonder how much I will have to pay for the insert if I have the outside remote that will cost me about $70 from Ebay. I'll call and ask...

[Andrew224]

As far as I know, no Ms have ever used a standard metal key for the ignition. That plastic key fob in Z's post above does not house the ignition key like a Mercedes, it IS the ignition key. The metal key is not used to start the car and will not fit into the ignition. The metal key does not come out unless your car is locked and the key fob battery or your car battery is dead and you need to gain entry. The ignition has to have the proper fob inserted into it to start the car.

This is why no one understands your problem. Unless your car has been modified for whatever reason or you have a very early production model that has a different ignition switch, which no one here has heard about, we can't help you.

I would like to see a picture of what your ignition looks like. I think that would help us answer your question. If it isn't a stock ignition, a replacement stock key will not work.

Andrew

[lfj2025]

You need to post pictures of what you are using. Something doesn't sound right.

[mindovermatter81]

Key looks kinda like this one:

http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/f/fa/f...s.jpg

I actually just got back from Ininiti to get an oil / filter / tire balance rotation.. I told the service manager about me buying the remote off ebay and how much the key insert would be.. He said I'd have to take in the remote part so he could see what type of key is needes, but that programming is $85. My ignition does have a wide insert, but if you stick in the regular key and turn, it works the same as any key in a normal car..

[buhdda]

that is the key from a I35/30 (my buddy has one)

to my knowledge there is no way you can start any m45 with one of those.

You would have to some how hack the how ignition setup for it to work with that key (think hotwiring a car, but with a key for easy external access)

Truth be told, if you lived closer to me, it would be woth my time (and the gas) to drive over just to see you start you car.

[mindovermatter81]

Well, I'll ask the Service Department Manager what he thinks about the situation with the normal key when I go pick up my car in a few hours. He didn't look surprised or anything though that a normal key was turning on the ignition...

[DRIPS]

i have a spare key fobe. It has been programed by me to unlock doors and truck, but as mentioned...it does not start car. However, I purchased the metal key from the dealer that you insert into the remote (they cut it on site for no charge). THis key DOES start my m. I insert into the ignition just like any other car.

If you want the remote you buy to start your car as well that is when u need to go to dealer.

For me, it is just a spare so i just will use the metal part in the ignition if that day ever comes.Total cost to me for spare:

35 for fob with key in it (but cut for whatever car it came off of)25 for new metal blank that was cut to match my original key----60 dollars total for spare key that starts car via metal key and unlocks doors via remote.

[Andrew224]

Well, I just went out to my car and tried to stick the metal key into the ignition (mostly to prove you wrong). Believe it or not, it worked! And I was able to turn it and start my car!

I stand corrected.

If it wasn't for you bringing this up, I would have never tried this. I'm pretty sure that it was the first time the metal key has ever been put in the ignition in my car. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. It states in the owners manual on page 3-2 "The wallet key and the emergency key cannot be used to start and drive your vehicle." And on 3-3 it states "The emergency key cannot be used to start the engine, but it can be used to release the steering lock."

Once you get a replacement for the original key fob and you see how the ignition works by placing the actual fob into the ignition, you'll understand why everyone thought you were crazy.

So yeah, that key replacement on Ebay for $60 is what the car came with.

Andrew

[szh]

Interesting! I will have to go see if I can do the same with my "emergency" key that the manual says will NOT work.

I also wonder if any key will work. If so, that is a serious problem!!!

Z

[szh]

Interesting! I will have to go see if I can do the same with my "emergency" key that the manual says will NOT work.

Okay ... I have contrary results to others now!

I have tried this multiple (more than 5 or 6 times back and forth - with the remote fob and the emergency key) times, and it is completely repeatable and consistent behavior!

With the remote fob, the car starts without any problem!

With just the emergency key, I can turn it to the point where the steering column unlocks, the car dash lights come on. Then turning further causes the battery to crank and crank and crank the starter motor, but the engine will not start!

Put the remote back in and turn, and the engine starts up instantly!

Clearly, something in the car computers is monitoring the presence (or lack) of the remote fob in the dash, and it prevents my car from starting if just the emergency key is used!

So, I continue to remain mystified as to how people are using a key to start their 2003/4 M45 ... for me, it does what the manual says: the engine will NOT start!

Z

[mindovermatter81]

Wow, this is all pretty interesting. I'm thinking maybe a key can be cut a certain way, which would allow you turn on the engine. Maybe some dealers cut it to where it works for both the ignition and other functions(for whatever reason) and sometimes cut the keys so it will only do what the manual says (for security reasons..?). I'm thinking my key was made by some lock smith, so the person could just use it for everything...

Thank you all for your input and time, I'm glad we learned something too.

Oh, when I went to pick up my M45 at Infiniti, the service manager wasn't around, just the secretary witht he paperwork for me to sign and stuff, so I didn't get to ask, but I'll try calling later on today.

[lfj2025]

I used my "metal" key to start my car!!! Learn something new all the time.

[szh]

I used my "metal" key to start my car!!! Learn something new all the time.

Interesting!

In my 2003 M45, the "metal" key cranked my engine (I did not go for more than 15 seconds each time), but it would not start. With the remote fob, it started pretty much instantly. Totally repeatable ...

I will try again later ...

Z

[lfj2025]

I must apoligize, the key turns the engine but won't start!!

[sji]

I came up with the same results. The car will not start. Staying on the same subject of key fobs. Is there a battery in them? Mine acts funny by sometimes working and then not working when trying to lock or unlock the car. I unscrewed the screw on the back and then did not have the huevos to crack it open. I figured I might jack it up and not be able to put it back together. I should probably call the service dept. and ask.

[Andrew224]

I spoke too soon as well, when I heard the engine turn over, I stopped short because I was in the garage and didn't want it to start. You're right, the engine turns over but doesn't start. So unless that security feature is turned off, I don't know how people are using just a traditional key.

As far as the battery question... Yes, there is a battery in the fob and that is how mine acted before I replaced the battery recently. It's just that one screw and then take the emergency key out. Put a quarter in the space where the key was and twist (it doesn't take much). It should come apart so you have 3 pieces in front of you. Then the inner case needs to be opened. Once again, a quarter can be used to pop the two halves apart. And there you go.

The instructions are in the owner's manual (page 3-8) if you have it. The battery is a CR2025 and I got mine at Walgreens.

Andrew

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,My results were exactly on par with Szhosain's. It would seem that the dealer that sold the car bypassed the intelligent key system originally offered on Mindovermatter's M. Cheers,M.L

[lfj2025]

A word of caution, there is a small "chip" inside the FOB don't lose it. When I replaced my battery I first thought it was something broken inside till I noticed the numbers on it.

[Budhabless]

Heres the deal inside the key fob theres a small rectangle shape black piece its the transponder. Thats what needed to start the car. I installed a alarm with a remote starter and had to take the transponder out of the key fob and stick it in a module next to my ignition. So now if my alarm is disarm then i can stick in ANY key and it will start my car. And after the car is started if i want i can just pull the key out.