Warning Key System

Forum for Infiniti M37, M56 M35h Hybrid and Q70 owners.
habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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Hey All,

New to the forum. I've been having a disaster of a week. Was using my 2011 m37x like normal. Got in my car to head out and it wouldn't start. The "Key System Warning" indication appeared on the screen. I brought it in to the dealer (figured it was the steering column lock) and they basically spent 3 hours to confirm what I assumed. They quoted me at least $1600 for the module (obviously). Decided to tow it back to my place as I feel there is a way to start the car up and disable the lock module.

Anyone have any experience with this?

I watched all the Nissan/Infiniti YouTube videos. I tried the same methods, unfortunately nothing worked. The most I receive is the chime and the door open noise... occasionally. I tried changing the battery to the key fob, however it was never the issue. The car battery is still good. The key fob works like normal when it comes to unlocking/locking/trunk. Interior lights works, exterior lights work. It's simply the car not turning on.

Please help if you have advice.
Thank you


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telcoman
Posts: 5763
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:30 am
Car: Tesla 2022 Model Y, 2016 Q70 Bye 2012 G37S 6 MT w Nav 94444 mi bye 2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan 6 MT @171796 mi.
Location: Central NJ

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^^^

I think you have two choices.

Have your vehicle towed to another Infiniti dealer and get a second opinion. (Speak to the service manager before going)
If the second opinion confirms the first you can then decide whether it is worth it to repair or sell the vehicle.

Good luck

Shanehsmp
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:37 pm
Car: 2006 Infiniti M35x - Sold
2012 Infiniti M56x
2016 Infiniti QX70s

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I had this issue two weeks ago. I was missing a fuse in my IPDM for my steering lock. Put a 10A (i think) fuse back in and it was gone.

But this wasn't until after I bought a new key and had some guy come by to reprogram the system....I was thoroughly pissed. Hopefully, your issue is this easy.

Shanehsmp
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:37 pm
Car: 2006 Infiniti M35x - Sold
2012 Infiniti M56x
2016 Infiniti QX70s

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To also add, I was told that that the steering lock fuse is often removed so that the steering lock doesn't get stuck - which is what they likely think is happening.

habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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Thank you for your replies!

Definitely not bringing it to another Infiniti dealership.

My buddy is a mechanic and he came by to basically redo the diagnostics that Infiniti performed (for the record it was all done in an hour vs 3 at the dealer). All fuses, wires, and connections are energized. We also noticed that my battery is low (11v). I'm having it charged as i write this. It's back up to 14.8v.

Unfortunately, when the tow truck came the first time around, the man decided to fiddle with my key thinking it would help and basically lowered all my windows. He couldn't bring them back up.

So, i'm basically stuck with my car that can't start and has fully opened windows. I bought a tarp for temporary use.

My next attempt is to try and bring the windows up with the fully charged battery and hopefully the car will start as well. Otherwise, i'm stuck.

I checked the steering lock fuse and it's working fine so is the current from the plug that connects to the lock actuator. I would remove the 10A fuse immediately if i could get the car in ACC, but nothing happens other than the "key system warning" notification appearing and occasionally a couple of chimes and beeping sounds from open doors.

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telcoman
Posts: 5763
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:30 am
Car: Tesla 2022 Model Y, 2016 Q70 Bye 2012 G37S 6 MT w Nav 94444 mi bye 2006 Infiniti G35 Sedan 6 MT @171796 mi.
Location: Central NJ

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Why wouldn't you just go out and replace your battery?
Just because you are reading 14.8v with a charger proves nothing.
A weak or dead battery cell will present all kinds of weird issues.

habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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That's something i'll have to consider if things don't change.

The low reading is probably due to the electrical activity since the situation started... as you can imagine, there was no opportunity to provide power to it. Certain functions such as the interior lights, lock/unlock capability and headlight blinks continue to work. Also, previously mentioned the car has electrical current going through it.

Absolute worse case, i'll try a new battery.

What i don't understand is why the windows won't close with the physical key and why they opened with the fob. Super annoying.

Shanehsmp
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:37 pm
Car: 2006 Infiniti M35x - Sold
2012 Infiniti M56x
2016 Infiniti QX70s

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Perhaps your fob is compromised? When the guy who was diagnosing my issue came, he said the only thing it could be is my FOB (not knowing that my IPDM was not fully connected).

Did they scan for any U/communication system codes? That's what led me to checking my IPDM in the first place - I had a U1000 (i believe)...this was the single most frustrating thing for me, because I literally thought my car was bricked for 18hrs.

habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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That's what i'm starting to believe.

Attached is the list of the codes they sent me from the diagnostic. What do you think?
Attachments
IMG_0030.JPG

EdBwoy
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Location: Indiana, USA
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habs wrote:
Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:56 pm
...
I watched all the Nissan/Infiniti YouTube videos. I tried the same methods, unfortunately nothing worked. ...
Could you list these methods that you have tried so far?
Also, although not mentioned, I assume you do not have a spare key to try, right?

The codes point at the BCM, IPDM, steering lock unit or even the NATS antenna; although I am with the dealer in leaning toward the BCM being the issue.
That is due to the additional info you provided that the key blade being held in the lock position wasn't rolling the windows up yet you have good power.

To add:
This might not have any effect, but when you get a chance, inspect the Eng Cont fuse in the IPDM. It's a 15A fuse.

habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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Youtube links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy077eLJfXk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QTCDIntpUI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMZJxrpbN1U&t=445s

Unfortunately, my spare was never programmed as i bought the car used in 2014. That's my bad. I still tried though, just in case. Funny thing is, the physical spare key doesn't even have the same lock pattern as my primary.

According to the dealer, the bcm checks out. They concluded that it's the lock causing the issue...

airmanhoward
Posts: 223
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:16 pm
Car: 12 M37-Current
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Location: Largo Fl

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Update?

habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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I'm having it serviced this week!

Going to post final update when it's all done.

Yoda's Master
Posts: 439
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:26 pm
Car: 2012 M56
2009 370z
Location: Rock in the middle of nowhere

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Are you still having issues? I have the free fix since this happened to my Z.

Yoda's Master
Posts: 439
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:26 pm
Car: 2012 M56
2009 370z
Location: Rock in the middle of nowhere

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Ok, i found post. Sucks that 2012+ don't have this problem since Nissan eliminated it and replaced the steering lock module with a big fat relay.

Follow this guide and pull the fuse, problem solved. When i did mine, i just retracted the lock all the way so that it depresses both switches. You don't have to lock or glue it in place since the worm gears keeps it locked from backing off the switch. Just make sure you pull the steering lock fuse before plugging it back in.
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-do-y ... ailed.html

BTW, the security screws aren't on very tightly so just use needle nose pliers of a needle nose vice grip to unscrew them.

habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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Thanks all for the help,

I had it serviced finally... car works again.

No other issues. So it was the lock. I tried to find a DIY solution for two weeks before waving the white flag.

habs
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2020 4:12 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti M37x

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Just to give y'all my luck; i got my car back and decided to go away to the country for a few days and enjoy the road. I had to make a trip to the grocery to pick up 1 lemon. In that full trip, a pebble hit my windshield and now there's a nice web about to expand.

A nice slap to the face after dropping a bunch of $$$.

Shanehsmp
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:37 pm
Car: 2006 Infiniti M35x - Sold
2012 Infiniti M56x
2016 Infiniti QX70s

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habs wrote:
Tue Oct 06, 2020 7:45 pm
Just to give y'all my luck; i got my car back and decided to go away to the country for a few days and enjoy the road. I had to make a trip to the grocery to pick up 1 lemon. In that full trip, a pebble hit my windshield and now there's a nice web about to expand.

A nice slap to the face after dropping a bunch of $$$.
Good thing, replacement windshields are pretty cheap. Don't do dealer.

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Rockbri
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2021 2:28 am
Car: Nissan Qashqai
Location: Maidenhead

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I've come across this too. There are different methods of writing the keys to the immobiliser. All of these methods require the appropriate knowledge and skills as well as the appropriate equipment, transponders and blank chip keys. For instance, they can be transponder, transponder reader, transponder programming device; programmers... All these things take time and it pissed me off when I had to collect a bunch of documents, and then I went to https://www.carkeyduplication.com/rent- ... er-online/ and made an application for a chip programmer in my car. I think it will be ready in no time.


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