mechanical key stuck in intelligent key slot!

MDtour · 08-20-2018, 04:20 PM

don't ask me how it happened. (f you do, be brutal)

is there any way to get the darn thing out?

wanker · 08-20-2018, 04:40 PM

I feel your pain. I also didn't realize that the key is just for the door, and you're supposed to insert the entire FOB in the slot.

Anyway... I just took a pair of needle nose pliers and gave the key a firm tug and it came out.

RumbleFish · 08-20-2018, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDtour

don't ask me how it happened. (f you do, be brutal)

is there any way to get the darn thing out?

Heckofva first post!

Just messin' with ya.

Welcome

cv129 · 08-20-2018, 06:25 PM

Something like this should help

https://m.lowes.com/pd/General-Tools...SABEgLjv_D_BwE

Nixin · 08-20-2018, 07:51 PM

Whatever you do, don't take it to your Nissan dealer.

MDtour · 08-21-2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RumbleFish

Heckofva first post!

Just messin' with ya.

Welcome

haha! i've been on here for awhile, it's taken me this long to read all the wealth of information & address my first blunder!

i've tried needle nose pliers, but it's still stuck. i'm afraid if i apply much more backside to it i'll break somethin'.

and yeah, i'm trying to avoid the monkeys @ the dealer...

thanks guys!

Jayhovah · 08-21-2018, 09:14 AM

pics!

SouthArk370Z · 08-21-2018, 10:24 AM

As per Jayhovah, some pics might help.

IIRC, there is at least one spring-loaded "retainer" inside the port that you could be hung up in. You may be able to poke a small screwdriver or similar in there to take any pressure off the key.

Edit: As per axmea?'s comment below, it would be better to use non-conductive tools.

axmea? · 08-21-2018, 07:05 PM

Avoid using any metal tool. McGyver the darn thing. Use 2pcs. of a hotel card key cut 0.5 inch on the long side of the card.
An old credit card will work too . Slide one above the key and another one underneath. Let us know if this works.

MDtour · 08-28-2018, 11:44 AM

thanks for all the suggestions, i appreciate it. i tried sliding a very slender flat head screwdriver on the sides of the offending key to see if it would release, to no avail.

went inside, had a pint & with renewed vigor just pulled a lot harder than one should for fear of breaking the slot. a couple of twists with a knee against the dash & it finally released. (bent the key slightly)

granted i'm a dumb@ss for doing it in the 1st place, but the manual could have been more specific in regards to key applications. lesson learned. (note that if you ever encounter the problem, the vehicle responds as though you've left a key if the ignition as on older models - the system warning signal continues until the key is extracted)

SouthArk370Z · 08-28-2018, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDtour

... a couple of twists with a knee against the dash & it finally released. (bent the key slightly) ...

Glad to hear you got it fixed.

RN SHARK · 08-29-2018, 06:25 AM

Oh, and the slot...it’s called a Fobgina.

BeemaaZ · 09-03-2018, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RN SHARK

Oh, and the slot...it’s called a Fobgina.

LOL! Next time try to lick the upper section of the fobgina until it spits it out.

MDtour · 09-04-2018, 03:44 PM

tell ya what, if i ever find a snatch with that kinda grip i'd consider marrying it.

NASA_Leonidas · 12-03-2018, 05:52 PM

Related question: (FYI. this happened to me at a tire shop, they jammed the hard key in the Card slot). Now my card slot is damaged.

My question is, can I buy a new "CONT ASSY CARD SLOT" and just plug and play? Or will this mess with the FOB coding for the ikeys?

08-20-2018, 04:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
MDtour Base Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Maryland Posts: 4 Drives: 2013gunmetal touring Rep Power: 8	mechanical key stuck in intelligent key slot! don't ask me how it happened. (f you do, be brutal) is there any way to get the darn thing out?

08-20-2018, 06:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,237 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 163995	Something like this should help https://m.lowes.com/pd/General-Tools...SABEgLjv_D_BwE __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield

08-20-2018, 07:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nixin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: GWN Posts: 3,488 Drives: Goodbye Z! Rep Power: 19833	Whatever you do, don't take it to your Nissan dealer. Zingston likes this.

08-21-2018, 10:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	As per Jayhovah, some pics might help. IIRC, there is at least one spring-loaded "retainer" inside the port that you could be hung up in. You may be able to poke a small screwdriver or similar in there to take any pressure off the key. Edit: As per axmea?'s comment below, it would be better to use non-conductive tools. wideglideleon likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma Last edited by SouthArk370Z; 08-21-2018 at 10:23 PM.

08-21-2018, 07:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
axmea? A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,236 Drives: WELL ZED PW 6MT Rep Power: 53241	Avoid using any metal tool. McGyver the darn thing. Use 2pcs. of a hotel card key cut 0.5 inch on the long side of the card. An old credit card will work too . Slide one above the key and another one underneath. Let us know if this works. SouthArk370Z and sx moneypit like this. __________________ >MyZ's Album< NISMO Convert/ECUTEK/Takeda CAI/F.I. HFC NR CB Carbon/F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler/4.08 Final Drive /Powertrix+Swifts/Hotchkis/SPL/Whiteline/TWM/Zoom Engineering/EVO-R/AeroJacket Vented CF Fenders + CF Spoiler/Avant Garde-WORK/NST/Morimoto Halo/STi Clear Lenses/Carbon Signal Automotive/RJM Performance/ZSpeed Clutch Flywheel CSC delete

08-20-2018, 04:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
wanker Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 443 Drives: 2011 370Z S/T A7 Rep Power: 2901	I feel your pain. I also didn't realize that the key is just for the door, and you're supposed to insert the entire FOB in the slot. Anyway... I just took a pair of needle nose pliers and gave the key a firm tug and it came out.

08-28-2018, 11:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
MDtour Base Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Maryland Posts: 4 Drives: 2013gunmetal touring Rep Power: 8	thanks for all the suggestions, i appreciate it. i tried sliding a very slender flat head screwdriver on the sides of the offending key to see if it would release, to no avail. went inside, had a pint & with renewed vigor just pulled a lot harder than one should for fear of breaking the slot. a couple of twists with a knee against the dash & it finally released. (bent the key slightly) granted i'm a dumb@ss for doing it in the 1st place, but the manual could have been more specific in regards to key applications. lesson learned. (note that if you ever encounter the problem, the vehicle responds as though you've left a key if the ignition as on older models - the system warning signal continues until the key is extracted) wanker, wideglideleon and redondoaveb like this.

08-29-2018, 06:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
RN SHARK Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Delafield, WI Age: 44 Posts: 618 Drives: 09 370Z, 14 SRT GC Rep Power: 35	Oh, and the slot...it’s called a Fobgina. ryukai and BettyZ like this. __________________ ___________ '09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare '14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

09-04-2018, 03:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
MDtour Base Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Maryland Posts: 4 Drives: 2013gunmetal touring Rep Power: 8	tell ya what, if i ever find a snatch with that kinda grip i'd consider marrying it. 2011 Nismo#91, StormWhite and BettyZ like this.

12-03-2018, 05:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
NASA_Leonidas Base Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1 Drives: 11 Nissan 370Z BK M6 Rep Power: 8	Related question: (FYI. this happened to me at a tire shop, they jammed the hard key in the Card slot). Now my card slot is damaged. My question is, can I buy a new "CONT ASSY CARD SLOT" and just plug and play? Or will this mess with the FOB coding for the ikeys?

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