Japanese car brand Nissan is known for its innovative, safety-first approach. As such, its cars have many safety features designed to protect users. They’re also fitted with lots of handy dashboard warning lights to let you know when something’s wrong, like the flashing red car with a key inside it.
This guide will look at how to fix the flashing red car with key icon in a Nissan.
Contents
What Does the Flashing Red Car with Key Icon Mean in Nissans?
First up, it’s important to understand what the flashing red car with key icon actually means. With so many warning lights, owners often get confused about what they all refer to. You can usually find out more details in your owner’s manual, but you might not have it nearby. In that case, here’s all you need to know.
The flashing red car with key icon means that your Nissan’s immobilizer has activated. The immobilizer is a security device that does just what it sounds like – it immobilizes the car, stopping it from starting and essentially preventing it from going anywhere until the issue is resolved.
Immobilizers are useful security features fitted to many modern cars. They exist to deter thieves and other criminals, making it impossible to “hot wire” the car or operate it without the right key. However, they can sometimes misfunction, and you might see the famous flashing red car with key icon appear unexpectedly or at random.
How to Fix the Flashing Red Car and Key Light in a Nissan
In an ideal world, the immobilizer light would only come on if someone tries to steal your car. However, there are several other reasons it might turn on and cause problems for drivers. Here are some explanations for the car and key light, as well as possible fixes.
Using the Wrong Key or a Damaged One
The immobilizer system is designed to activate if the car doesn’t recognize the key that is being used to operate it. This is one of the most common reasons why drivers spot the flashing red car and key light in their Nissans. They might have accidentally picked up or used their spare key, for example, or their usual key might be damaged.
The first step if you see your car’s flashing red car and key icon is to double-check the key. Make sure you’re using the same one you usually use and inspect it for any damage. The batteries might also be running low, in which case you may want to try using your spare key instead or swap out the old batteries for fresh ones.
Random Bugs and System Errors
Sometimes, it’s not exactly clear why the immobilizer system turns itself on. It could be due to some sort of bug in the system, leading the immobilizer to inadvertently activate, even when the key being used is the official one and the driver hasn’t done anything wrong. Fortunately, there are a couple of quick fixes you can try to resolve this.
First, when you see the flashing light, turn the ignition off. Then, use the key fob to lock the doors and unlock them again. Try the ignition again, and you may see that the light has disappeared. If not, turn it off and get out of the car. Use the key manually to lock and unlock the doors, then try the ignition. Again, this might be enough to fix it.
If the light is still present, you can also try putting the key in the ignition and turning it to the on position. Leave it like that for about 30 seconds. The light may simply go out on its own as the system recognizes the key. If not, you may have to call in a professional to scan the system and figure out what’s wrong.
A Problem with the Battery
In some situations, the battery is to blame when a Nissan’s immobilizer system behaves strangely. Specifically, the alternator might not be charging the battery up correctly, it might not have sufficient charge, or it might be old, corroded, or in need of replacement. Again, there are some DIY fixes you can try to resolve this.
First, pop the hood and inspect the battery. Look for any damage, signs of corrosion, swelling, or loose connections. You can also hook up a voltmeter to the battery and check that the voltage is sufficient. Usually, the “resting voltage” – voltage when the car isn’t running – should be around 12.5 volts. If it’s lower than that, the battery most likely has an issue and may need replacing.
If the battery seems fine but the red key and car light is still there, you could try temporarily disconnecting the battery. Note that this can be a dangerous procedure and isn’t guaranteed to fix the problem. It’s usually best to consult with a professional before doing anything with the battery. However, if you still want to go ahead, here’s how it works:
- Turn the ignition off.
- Pop the hood.
- While wearing safety gloves, disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery.
- Use a metal tool to join the Join the disconnected negative cable to the positive terminal. If it won’t reach on its own, bridge the gap using a metal tool. This should help to disperse any leftover electrical charge in the cables.
- Reconnect the negative cable and try to start the car again.
FAQs
Is there any way to start a car with the immobilizer light on?
No. If the immobilizer light is on, that means the immobilizer is active, and the car won’t start until the system has been deactivated. That might be as simple as switching to a different key or locking and unlocking the doors a few times. Alternatively, it might be a much trickier and more complex issue to fix, requiring an expert technician.
Try These Fixes for Immobilizer Light Issues
The flashing red car and key light isn’t a pleasant sight to see on your dashboard. Unlike other lights, it can’t be temporarily ignored, as your car simply won’t start as long as it’s there. Fortunately, as this guide has shown, there are several methods you can try to get rid of it. Experiment with alternative keys or locking and unlocking the car in different ways. If all else fails, call in the pros to help.