My new Altima just went over 1000 miles yesterday morning. To celebrate I wanted to talk about another feature that made the Altima stand out from other similar cars, the Intelligent Key system. The first thing you’ll notice about this system is the Push Button ignition (start and stop engine with the push of a button). It’s nothing ground breaking, but it’s certainly unique in an affordable car. The system also allows you to lock or unlock the doors and open the trunk, all with the push of a button on the door or trunk. Note: You have to have the “intelligent key” on you (in your pocket for example) for all of this to work. At first I thought it was just plain cool, and I still think that, but over time I’ve realized it’s as much about convenience as it is about being unique. I never have to fumble with anything I’m carrying while I find my keys. I’m a 32 year old guy who has never even had a keyless entry system on a car, and now I don’t even have to use a remote or key to operate my car. I’m sorry, but that is slick!
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My 2008 Nissan Altima coupe has a problem. The windows open for no reason at random times. Once, I was sitting in the car!
The dealer suggests I keep a log, which I’m doing, but I have to drive this damned thing to New York and I can’t have a car with its windows open on Manhattan Island.
Any ideas?
Sorry, no ideas on a fix for you. What I do know is some state laws may require them to give you a new car if they can’t fix a problem that would normally be covered under the warranty. Good luck!
David,
I have the exact same problem with my 2008 Altima. The dealer worked on it and said if it continues, they might have to replace a sensor. It has continued, but I haven’t been back yet. Usually the trunk also unlocks as well as the windows randomly rolling down.
Many people seem to have this problem from accidental operations of the keyfob. I think there are special jackets you can order for it or slip it in a little case. After all, you rarely need to bring it out for use and the unit is valued at almost $250 so it’s just as expensive as a wireless phone, so treating it with care via it’s own little case isn’t too far fetched. I myself, have never used or accidentally operated this feature. I believe it operates when you hold the unlock button on the keyfob for 3 seconds or so. I did come across a site which had people post this similar issue and this is what one person posted as a remedy…
You can disable the auto roll down feature by disconnecting your battery for a while. You’ll loose your radio presets though; and if you ever want to re-program the auto up/down feature, follow these steps (I’ve done it, works 100%):
Quote, originally posted by SHIFT_COUPE ยป
1. Push the ignition switch to the ON position.
2. Open the window more than halfway by
operating the power window switch.
3. Pull the power window switch and hold it to
close the window, and then hold the switch
more than 3 seconds after the window is
closed.
4. Release the power window switch. Operate
the window by the automatic function to
confirm the initialization is complete.
5. Perform steps 2 through 4 above for other
windows.
Hope this helps.
Wow. It does reprogram. Thank you for saving a trip to the dealer.
As for the window rolling down on it’s own,I’ve read some forums and it suggests that the intelligent key is at fault. Have the dealer look into the key and the sensor. Some models have remote window roll down features and this seems to be the culprit.
I didn’t have trouble with the window rolling down. Probably because I rarely use the key to lock my car. I have a habit of locking my doors with the button on the door handle.
I have the same issue with the windows rolling down. It happens when you hold down the lock and unlock buttons simultaneously for a couple of seconds. It has happend to me when I have the keys in my pocket and accidentally pressing them.
Hope it helps
The power window comes down when u hold the unlock button for 3-5 sec and when u release it stops. if you lock the door with the key removed from the I-Key and hold it for 3-5 sec the windows will be closed. its a additional feature which comes with Infinity G37 I am a fully loaded 2008 Altima user 33 year old
Please check this
http://www.g37-tech.com/wiki/Intelligent_Key_System
i had this same problem in my car to and i noticed it happened when i hold the lock and unlock button down…
I have a 2008 ALTIMA I want to know how to use the intelligent key without the fob. Anyone know where to insert the key???
Off the top of my head, to the left and below your steering column is an area I think. Been very busy though and haven’t had a chance to look. Should be info in your manual though. Good luck and thanks for stopping by.
Jim
I have the 2008 Altima and I love my car! However, just last week the indicator/warning light comes on with the 2keys showing on the dash. Anyone have this happen yet? Well it appeared that maybe I needed to change my battery, but you get 2 I-Keys right? So I’m using my other I-Key that I put up and the indicator/warning light still comes on showing those 2 keys. Of course, I have not contacted the dealer yet, seeking outside advise/information! LOL! Will I need to get 2 new batteries now?
Mikki
Hi Mikki-
I’ve had that same scenario going on for a while now, a long while. Like you I swapped to my other Key and the indicator on the dash went away. After a while it came back with the second key also. I’d say between the two keys I’ve probably used them without issues for about a total of a year. So I can’t answer your question directly, I don’t know if batteries are the issue here or not, but it appears they work long after the indicator shows up.
Jim
Hi Jim,
Well I called the dealer and believe it or not, this warning is letting us know that the batteries are about to run out and need to be replaced. The service guy said that they charge only between $5 to $8 for a new battery. They’ll open up the I-Key and replace old battery.
Mikki
Good to know. Thanks for the info. I’ve been going months, but maybe I should get a battery before it’s too late.
Hi Jim,
I purchased 2 of the batteries yesterday for $5.00 each. It was a snap! I thought I better go ahead and get them before I get locked out of my car!
I hope you get yours soon.
Mikki
Have a 2008 Altima…….went to start it yesterday…….. wouldn’t start (possibly the battery in keyfob) however, the brake pedal was acting funny…..(almost to the floor)….. anyone had this problem?? replaced the battery in keyfob……….. now it’s starting…….hopefully that is what it was……..
I don’t see how it would have anything to do with the brake pedal issue you experienced. Has the brake pedal done that since?
My sister left her car at the airport. I had valet key but she left remote in car. I unlocked car with remote and locked when I picked up the car (she left door unlocked while parked at airport) but now the car will NOT lock with or without remote AND the car will start withOUT the remote anywhere near the car. I am unable to lock or unlock drivers side door OR glove box w/valet key. Any thoughts or suggestions? I have set her an appt on Monday am w/service dept at dealership but would LOVE to try to fix this before.
I replaced battery last night so that’s not the issue.
Michelle in Texas
ALSO – I can’t get to owners manual as it is in the LOCKED glove box which the valet key won’t open!
Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. You said your sister left the remote in the car. Is it still in the car (hidden perhaps)? Because you can’t lock the car while the remote is in the car, and you would be able to start the car since the remote is in the car. When you setup the service appt, did you ask them if they have had this type of problem before, sometimes it’s something they can help you with over the phone? Good luck!
I just started to have an issue with my 07 altima 2.5s that I believe is involving the IKS. a little history of the car, We have owned it for 2 years and like some of you I have already replaced both battery in the FOBs. My wife was returning from a mini vacation with my children and mother in law yesterday when the car just stopped running. No service engine soon light appeared, the car just shut off. on the last leg of the trip it shut off 4 times over the last 20 miles. I drove it when she got back and did not see the problem. Today however i drove to the autoparts store to see if any codes could be scanned. The problem then happened to me. The best explanation I can give is the light that is directly beside on the left of the seat belt lamp came on and it actually said KEY in bold letters. it stayed on for about 5 minutes and then went out. a couple minutes after it went off the car just stopped running. It was like someone had turned the ignition off. No dash lights, no radio or radio lights, and the acc light around the starter button wasn’t lit either. It was in the same state the car is in when you first get in to start it. definitely interesting when it happens at highway speeds. anyone have any ideas if the module or sensor could cause this? I’m somewhat mechanically inclined but this is the first car i’ve had with push button start and intellikey system.
is it at ALL possible to lock your smartkeys in your 2008 nissan altima?
i just started to have a problem with my 2008 Altima. when you try to start it the brake pedal is hard to push and the car will not start. the only way to start it is to jump start it. the shifter is in park and other electrical items work, radio, horn, lights but no battery lights. this has happened several times over a months time and of course the warranty is already over.
answer to the question about locking your key in the car, yes you can lock the doors with the key inside. i do it all the time when i go to the store and the wife doesn’t want to go in. i leave it running and push the button on the drivers door. when i come back i push it again and it opens.