Hey folks,

Have owned a G35, G37 sedan, G37 convertible and picked up another project G37 that didnt have a Keyfob. Having an Autel Maxisys 908 that's able to program a new key/all keys missing, thought this would be a piece of cake as I've used it before to make new keys for my other G's.

With no key, I have to insert a unprogrammed key or even stick a finger into the key slot on the left side above the fuse panel, and the dash beeps. Then I can hit the Push-Start button to get the dash and accessories On.

The weird part is if I hit Push-Start button again, nothing turns off, the dash remains lit and its stuck to "ON", whether the blank key/my finger is in the keyslot or not. I have to pull the battery terminal to get car dash to shut off.

Checked all fuses in the kick panel by the driver footwell.
Checked all fuses in the IPDM box next to the battery.
Checked all fuses in the separate fuse tray also next to battery.

Radio works, all windows except drivers works, fan works, lights work.

Anyone have any insight into this? Thought I read somewhere that the AC unit fuse behind the radio could affect the push button not turning off, but still exploring ideas.

 

What year? Does the engine start/run? Any "idiot" lights on the dash?

Likely culprits are either the BCM or the Steering Lock. The START button only communicates with the BCM, not the AC amplifier.

 

2011 Automatic.

Only light on is the Key light indicating immobilizer(makes sense since the Keyfob isn't programmed yet) I'll double check for other lights in a sec.

If I'm not mistaken, G's up until 2011 had a steering lock correct? To disengage steering lock with a push start I imagine I'd try to turn the wheel to the right or left while in ON' mode, I believe?

 

There are a ton of threads about faulty ESCL (Electronic Steering Column Lock) modules failing causing the car to become a worthless rock. While this issue primarily affected 2009/10 models, there are cases of the failure occurring on 2011 and a few 2012's.

ESCL failure. There is a gray area about when Nissan decided to drop the "Lock Box" and just use a "immobilizer box." The whole issue lies in how the NATS/IVIS immobilizer chain is maintained. Not to get too technical...

When you press the button to get into ACC mode, does the wheel turn freely or does it remain locked?

Have you been able to reprogram any keys, yet?

 

When I put an unprogrammed keyfob into keyslot and hit PushStart to Acc mode, steering is still locked when dash lights turn on. I'll check my other G37 in a sec, I dont remember if steering was difficult to turn without engine on or if it turned freely after engine turned on.

I have not been able to program a new key to start the engine since the Autel process requires me to turn dash ON, then OFF again, then back ON, but in my case once I turn it ON, I cant turn off without pulling battery terminal, interrupting the key programming sequence.

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news.... but if the ESCL has failed, it will be impossible to program any keys...

Have you tried pressing AND holding the button (to turn off)?

As a side note, have you checked for any water near the BCM area?

 

The steering lock is unlocked. I have tried pressing and holding to turn off also, no luck. When put anything inside the keyslor and I press start button goes from Lock to ON (skips Acc) and stays ON. Even if I take a blank keyfob, a pen, my finger out the keyslot, it won't turn off.

Didn't see any water and I opened up the bcm to look for rust or corrosion also.

is there a way to jump or ground the ignition switch when its off so it can go to Acc or ON by itself without me hitting pushbutton? Or vice versa: anyway to get Ignition OFF once ON by grounding anything out? In key programming mode i need to be able to turn ignition ON then Off then ON without a battery pull interrupting the flow. I've also tried pulling the ignition switch fuse in the fusetray next to battery but that inteeupts the key programming.

Thanks if anyone knows.

 

Did you verify the ESCL locks and unlocks the wheel? Or does it appear "always" locked/unlocked?

I should have asked earlier... did you check/ are you able to check for any codes?

To my knowledge, there is no "bypass" to the start button... maybe others have ideas?

 

There was a code with CAN communications i think, I had cleared all codes w the Autel scantool.scantily. if I can get it to pop up again.

 

If there is a CANBUS error, you're fighting a losing battle until you get that resolved. We need those code(s)...

In a nutshell, the "network" is down... whether it is the ESCL or something else, no CAN, no car...

 

The 2011 Escl or steering lock is not locked, i can turn it freely. Might be a bad ecu/bcm combo.

I have a 2010 that was working up until I swapped the bcm and ecu into the 2011 to try some stuff out, and may have bricked it after doing a key delete. After putting the 2010 ecu bcm back into the 2010 (after messing with it in the 2011), this car doesn't go into Acc or ON mode (unlike the 2011 that jumps immediately to ON with anything in keyslot)

Now the 2010 Escl or steering lock is locked, I can't turn the wheels and the key was wiped from memory. Am I correct in saying if the Steering lock is engaged, the car wouldn't be able to go to ACC or ON mode for me to program the key back? In that case I'll probably need to try to hit the steering lock module with a hammer, or try to remove the lock, push the pin in and reinstall, right? Read that steering lock will prevent the NATS or immobilizer to start the key programming process if all keys lost.

 

The way I understand this system, if the ESCL fails, the car will NOT go into ACC, ON, or START. It is essentially a brick. Some have had luck tapping on the ESCL module itself WHILE repeatedly pressing the Start button to get the ESCL to unlock. Once it unlocks most pull the fuse and be done with the damn thing.

As you are/were mixing and matching parts, there is no telling where the car stands now.

Then there was the CAN codes(s) you erased.

At some point Nissan replaced the ESCL (Lock) module with a ESCB (Box) which handled all of the NATS/IVIS functions but did not physically lock the steering wheel. (p/n: 48708-9N00A) for reference.

I can't say 100% the ESCL is your issue, but every symptom points to that damn lock box. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if your Autel unit will reset NATS/IVIS or if you need the CONSULT-3 interface...

Maybe others will have better/ different ideas...

 

Yep, mixing parts messed up the working G, ill try the tapping of the escl and pressing start to see if it unlocks or ill try to remove the Escl to retract the lock pin and then reinstall, then see if I can program the keys if it can go into Acc/ON mode.

 

If you do get the ESCL to unlock and the car goes into ACC or ON, my advice, before turning anything OFF and/or unplugging the battery, would be to pull the 10amp STEER LOCK fuse located in the IPDM/er (fuse block next to battery). This will prevent the module from ever locking the column again.

Just had a afterthought... you might want to check your brake/ cruise control switches to make sure the connections are good, tight, and the switches adjusted properly.

 

hey, did you ever figure out the issue? I’m in the process of programming a key and the exact same
thing is happening .