Ignition problem

[sinistra]

I have a 2003 Nissan Almera. The red warning light depicting a car with a key in the middle of it comes on and I am unable to start the car. If I turn the ignition off and then on again the car will then start. I had to do that a couple of times this morning before it started. Any idea what the problem is and how to fix it? Many thanks.

[Hymie]

It could be many, many things to cause this to happen – I have heard of a loose connection within the ignition circuit causing such a fault.

My bet would be that the vehicle immobiliser has not received the correct signal from the key/fob. If you have a spare ignition key, try that and/or try changing the immobiliser battery.

[sinistra]

Thanks for that Hymie. It did occur to me that it might have been the battery. I have no idea how to go about changing it so do you have any further advice?

[Hymie]

The car’s handbook should describe how to change the immobiliser battery and list the battery type required – failing that your local dealer should be able to assist.

Be warned that some immobiliser fobs require the battery to be swapped over within 10 seconds or so, otherwise they loose their memory and require reprogramming by the dealer.

[harley_Husky]

The transponder in your key does not require battery power to work - it is excited by the field that it enters from the reader coil. Almera's are known to loose the code regularly. There is a proceedure to re-introduce fob and ecu. If you PM me - i'll divulge.

[e-mail]

Best regards.
Eddie

[harley_Husky]

Apologies:

take 2:

[e-mail]