NEED HELP! 2011 Nismo Z Not Starting

brandon3434 · 04-20-2018, 10:15 PM

Hey guys, I need some help. I feel like I’ve tried everything. Here is my situation.

I have a 2011 Nismo. It has 6000 miles, never had an issue. Recently, I installed coilovers, camber arms etc, and an exhaust. When I tried starting it, the battery was dead. So, I charged it up and it was still not even letting me unlock the car. So, I started thinking - maybe this is a steering lock issue. I believe some 2011 Z’s were affected. I ended up replacing the battery just in case.

Anyways, I went ahead and ordered the steering lock bypass from ConceptZ, because my Z was showing all the signs. I took the plastic off under the steering wheel and found that my Z doesn’t even have a steering lock (rookie mistake, I know...).

So, now I have no clue. I have a new battery which I tested. I swapped the key fob batteries and still nothing. The car interior lights turn on etc, but when I go to start the car, it goes to ACC mode, then the ON mode, but I can’t do anything past that. Then it’s stuck on the ON mode, and the only dash lights that are on are the two key lights (like it doesn’t recognize my key). One last note, even though my key fob doesn’t lock/unlock the car, when I press the unlock button the signals light up in the gauge cluster. My hazards work also. Makes no sense lol.

Does anyone have any ideas? I’ll paypal someone 20$ if they help me resolve this haha.

cv129 · 04-21-2018, 12:08 AM

Sounds like the clutch switch.

SouthArk370Z · 04-21-2018, 10:08 AM

The fact that the car will cycle through the modes indicates that the antenna and receiver are working (car recognizes fob). cv129 is probably right about the problem being the clutch switch. Try lifting up on the pedal with your toe before pushing the start button; or* check with a ohm/volt meter.

*Edit: Oops. Confused brake and clutch pedals.

brandon3434 · 04-21-2018, 05:43 PM

If it were a clutch switch issue, why would the intelligent key light be on? :-/

eastwest2300 · 04-21-2018, 05:54 PM

That key light comes and goes.. to be honest. I had pulled the fuse for my steering wheel lock AND cut the brown wire running into the steering lock and had the key light come on before and after addressing this potential problem.

brandon3434 · 04-21-2018, 06:00 PM

Would the clutch switch also cause my lock and unlock buttons not to work?

eastwest2300 · 04-21-2018, 06:27 PM

Im not sure man, it sounds like you may have a key fob that wasn't programmed correctly.. thats just my guess.

echoshotz · 04-21-2018, 06:37 PM

Did you mess with anything electronics wise?

cv129 · 04-21-2018, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandon3434

Would the clutch switch also cause my lock and unlock buttons not to work?

That may or may not be a separate issue. As SouthArk said, the fact that your car actually cycles through "acc" then "on" means your car does recognize the fob.

Process of elimination, confirm the clutch switch first.

SouthArk370Z · 04-21-2018, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandon3434

Would the clutch switch also cause my lock and unlock buttons not to work?

I don't have an FSM handy to verify but I'm pretty sure the clutch pedal switch has nothing to do with the door locks.

brandon3434 · 04-21-2018, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echoshotz

Did you mess with anything electronics wise?

I have headlights with demon eyes and halos, but that’s just a cable running to the battery. I’ve had them installed for a about a year though with no issues.

brandon3434 · 04-21-2018, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

Im not sure man, it sounds like you may have a key fob that wasn't programmed correctly.. thats just my guess.

I wish there was a way to reprogram the keyfob without taking it to the dealer lol. I would rather not trailer my Z to Nissan just for that.

jmroy6 · 04-22-2018, 09:49 PM

OP, I'm having the same issue as you on my 2012. Car doesn't recognize FOB key, can't lock/ unlock doors, no ignition, only goes to the on position and freezes until i disconnect battery. i tried everything, seems i will be bring it to the dealer for a reprogramming service. Do you have both fob key lights on?

Video>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TuvSLMpraE

SouthArk370Z · 04-22-2018, 11:15 PM

Not being able to cycle the door locks could be caused by a faulty antenna - separate antennae are used to sense if signal is coming from inside the car or outside.
Range is somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 foot, line of sight. IIRC, the Owner's Manual has some figures.

I still think there is a very good chance that the starting problem is a clutch (6MT) or brake (7AT) pedal switch.

brandon3434 · 04-22-2018, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmroy6

OP, I'm having the same issue as you on my 2012. Car doesn't recognize FOB key, can't lock/ unlock doors, no ignition, only goes to the on position and freezes until i disconnect battery. i tried everything, seems i will be bring it to the dealer for a reprogramming service. Do you have both fob key lights on?

Video>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TuvSLMpraE

This is my EXACT problem! I am calling a key guy tomorrow that may be able to come to my house to do this. We'll see if I can skip a tow to Nissan...lol

04-20-2018, 10:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
brandon3434 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 137 Drives: GT350R Rep Power: 14	NEED HELP! 2011 Nismo Z Not Starting Hey guys, I need some help. I feel like I’ve tried everything. Here is my situation. I have a 2011 Nismo. It has 6000 miles, never had an issue. Recently, I installed coilovers, camber arms etc, and an exhaust. When I tried starting it, the battery was dead. So, I charged it up and it was still not even letting me unlock the car. So, I started thinking - maybe this is a steering lock issue. I believe some 2011 Z’s were affected. I ended up replacing the battery just in case. Anyways, I went ahead and ordered the steering lock bypass from ConceptZ, because my Z was showing all the signs. I took the plastic off under the steering wheel and found that my Z doesn’t even have a steering lock (rookie mistake, I know...). So, now I have no clue. I have a new battery which I tested. I swapped the key fob batteries and still nothing. The car interior lights turn on etc, but when I go to start the car, it goes to ACC mode, then the ON mode, but I can’t do anything past that. Then it’s stuck on the ON mode, and the only dash lights that are on are the two key lights (like it doesn’t recognize my key). One last note, even though my key fob doesn’t lock/unlock the car, when I press the unlock button the signals light up in the gauge cluster. My hazards work also. Makes no sense lol. Does anyone have any ideas? I’ll paypal someone 20$ if they help me resolve this haha.

04-21-2018, 12:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,222 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 163995	Sounds like the clutch switch. SouthArk370Z likes this. __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield

04-21-2018, 10:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	The fact that the car will cycle through the modes indicates that the antenna and receiver are working (car recognizes fob). cv129 is probably right about the problem being the clutch switch. Try lifting up on the pedal with your toe before pushing the start button; or* check with a ohm/volt meter. Edit: Oops. Confused brake and clutch pedals. __________________ 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; 04-21-2018 at 08:09 PM.*

04-21-2018, 05:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,972 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	That key light comes and goes.. to be honest. I had pulled the fuse for my steering wheel lock AND cut the brown wire running into the steering lock and had the key light come on before and after addressing this potential problem. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

04-21-2018, 06:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 90,972 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684550	Im not sure man, it sounds like you may have a key fob that wasn't programmed correctly.. thats just my guess. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

04-21-2018, 05:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
brandon3434 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 137 Drives: GT350R Rep Power: 14	If it were a clutch switch issue, why would the intelligent key light be on? :-/

04-21-2018, 06:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
brandon3434 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 137 Drives: GT350R Rep Power: 14	Would the clutch switch also cause my lock and unlock buttons not to work?

04-21-2018, 06:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
echoshotz Base Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 218 Drives: 14 Nismo Rep Power: 73	Did you mess with anything electronics wise? SouthArk370Z likes this. __________________ 2014 Solid Red Nismo 370z Motordyne\|Synergy Composites\|Stance Suspension\|Recaro\|RJM\|EVOR

04-22-2018, 09:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
jmroy6 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: CT Posts: 179 Drives: Spirited Rep Power: 235	OP, I'm having the same issue as you on my 2012. Car doesn't recognize FOB key, can't lock/ unlock doors, no ignition, only goes to the on position and freezes until i disconnect battery. i tried everything, seems i will be bring it to the dealer for a reprogramming service. Do you have both fob key lights on? Video>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TuvSLMpraE __________________ 2012 370z GTM SC

04-22-2018, 11:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Not being able to cycle the door locks could be caused by a faulty antenna - separate antennae are used to sense if signal is coming from inside the car or outside. Range is somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 foot, line of sight. IIRC, the Owner's Manual has some figures. I still think there is a very good chance that the starting problem is a clutch (6MT) or brake (7AT) pedal switch. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

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