"key" light went on
 

The "key" indicator light went on this morning on the left side dash where the fuel LEDS are. I could not start my car, i put the fob inside the intell port and still nothing. It wouldn't even go to the ACC position. PLEASE HELP.:shakes head:

change your battery in the fob? i don't know.

Steering lock issue?

:iagree:

I am not familiar with the steering lock issue.

But mine did this to me before. Just needed a new battery for the car. $100 later the car started up great.

:iagree::iagree:

i guess this would be the next step

if it's the steering lock you'd know for sure as you wont hear the wind-up noise any more when you push the start button...or when you open the door after shutting off your car.

if you dont suspect it's the steering lock, i would first check if the fob battery is low. think it's a CR2023 or something (ck the manual before purchase) available at radioshack or amazon. these fobs transmit rf all the time so it wont last like regual keyfobs for cars without keyless entry/start.

if you had the center console removed recently, i'd check if the plug going to the RF antenna was correctly plugged in or not. ive found this to be a curprit too in the past.

and finally the battery. coming up 4yrs you may want to check the water level inside the battery. wear goggles and gloves, remove the caps on the top and take a peek inside. you should see water barely touch the plastic indicator inside. if not, add distilled water and afterwards, charge it using a wall charger or battery tender/manager.

these batteries will last a long time if maintained. my G's 8yrs old and still on original battery.

Hopefully it isn't the steering lock... Even if it isn't pull that ******* fuse anyways.

it is the steering lock issue, welcome to the group

:iagree:

There are two key indicator lights. the one he is talking about by the fuel leds is the one for the steering lock. The owners manual lists it as one for the steering lock module and something else I cant remember. My condolences. You should try the "Zentropy" method of fixing it which requires you to gently hammer the living fvck out the module while try to start your car

Do the 2013 have the key lock issue?

My light goes on, and then off again once in a while... sometimes the red one sometimes the yellow one, and they all just disappear.

My 2012 has about 7.5K miles on it now, and there's no steering lock and the battery on the fob should last longer than 5 months before running low... so I dunno wtf is with the ECU

do you mean steering lock?

if so no 12-on no longer has the steering lock........:ugh2:

have you tried to plug it into the port on the left hand side beside the steering wheel?

well if it is steering lock whats the next step, i still have warrenty but I dout any of the dealers have a clue what that is.

if it is the steering lock, read the dreaded steering lock DIY and try tapping at the unit to see if you can temporarily make it work. then cut brown wire or pull fuse.

or....have it towed to the dealership and provide link to the dreaded steering lock thread here in the DIY section, i guess.

ugh too bad man. I would call up the dealer and get it fixed under warranty. good luck

Thanks guys, im going to try the batterys first, the main car battery was running low anyways.

Lock failed Sunday. Back in my hands today with REV E!

I will probably still pull the fuse as soon as my warranty ends

Never needed to. The car always starts and the key words light on not.

Yes and thank you.

I'm not sure how everyone is coming up with steering lock. Just sounds like your fob battery is toast. Since you have a 2010, it's probably about time that it croaked. Did you try your other fob?

Battery is CR2032 BTW. Got mine at a drug store.

Steering Lock, welcome to the club mine died last Thursday

Went through the steering lock issue myself and was covered by warranty. Took about 1.5 months for me to get it fixed being in Germany. Hope your Z is still under warranty and wish you the best.

I Replaced the fob and car battery last night and nothing happened. I have that key light on still and the car wont move from the off position on the ignition, not even to the ACC position. WHERE IS THE FUSE I NEEED TO PULL?
I have read and will try the DIY on the dreaded wheel lock tonight. THIS SUCKS!!! DAMN Z!! I have had three different Z's 2003 2008 2010 and had problems with all, hate to say it because I love Z's but this one is my last :/ hello corolla lol

Unfortunatly unless you can get the lock freed up, pulling the fuse or cutting power to the unit at this point is useless. You're gonna need a tow to the dealer to get this fixed, shouldn't be to painful if you're still under warranty

i called local dealer, they said something like this would not be covered under my powertrain warrenty, I have 42,000 miles and it bumper to bumper ended at 36,000 FML

i will try freeing up the lock first i guess. If fails can't i buy the rev4 from the dealership and do it myself

Yes, at $500 bucks

Freeing it up is the best bet, don't get shy when it comes to hitting the unit itself (just think about the $500 you might have to spend, that should allow you to hit it hard enough.) With a little patience it should free right up and then you can pull the fuse/cut the wire to your heart's content.

Not only would it be useless, it would be damaging if you cut the wire! you would then have to reconnect the wires in order to get the new one to unlock so you could then disable it again in the unlocked position!

:iagree:

with it pulled out could it be driveable forever after that. And what r the after effects of this action.

I have my fused pulled out and no adverse affects have occured. There are many members that have the same thing done to their cars, and nothing has happened to them that I know of. The only thing that does happen, rarely, the car will delay a bit before starting, not more than 3 seconds though.

QUOTE=scgolfer7;2039018]I have my fused pulled out and no adverse affects have occured. There are many members that have the same thing done to their cars, and nothing has happened to them that I know of. The only thing that does happen, rarely, the car will delay a bit before starting, not more than 3 seconds though.[/QUOTE]



ok i will give it a try and then hope it works. Thanks for the advice everybody:xmastup:

want to add that this inconsistent delay was also observed with my ACTIVE steering lock installed, so this might be normal operation. the delay was like maybe 1-2 sec max and it does this on occasion.

just got my car towed to local nissan dealer. They told me that it would be ready maybe later today. The service department said that they have steering lock part in stock because it happens alot

Sad. Dealer admits issue. Nissan sings in the rain.....