How to Start a Nissan With a Dead Key Fob

If you’ve ever been on your way to work or school in Canton and had your Nissan key fob stop working, you know how frustrating it can be! It’s not likely you’ll need a full Nissan key fob replacement. Instead, the most likely culprit is your Nissan key fob battery has died and will need to be replaced. In the meantime, though, you have places to be around Akron and may not have time for a battery change. Learn how to unlock and start your Nissan with a dead key fob and then follow a step-by-step guide on how to replace your key fob battery with Fred Martin Nissan’s service department!

If your Nissan key fob battery is dead and your car is locked, you can unlock the car manually by following these steps:

• Flip the key fob over and find the small release latch. Push the latch to open it.
• Remove the emergency key hidden at the bottom of the fob.
• Use the emergency key on the driver’s side door and unlock it to enter.

Now that you’re in, you’ll need to start your Nissan with a dead key fob. There are two ways to do this based on what model Nissan you own. 

• If you own a Nissan car, truck, or SUV with a key fob port you can still insert the fob into the port. Tap the brake pedal or clutch as you press the START/STOP button. 
• If you own a Nissan car, truck, or SUV without a key fob port, step on the brake or clutch while pressing the key fob against the START/STOP button.

To avoid the hassle of unlocking and starting your car with a dead Nissan key fob battery, change the battery in the fob as soon as you can. You will need to purchase a new CR2025 battery to replace the old one. Once you have it, follow these instructions:

1. Open up the emergency key latch and remove the key.
2. Remove the entire key housing and take out the old battery, making a note of where the battery is positioned.
3. Replace the dead battery with the new CR2025 battery you purchased. Make sure the negative side of the battery is facing up.
4. Reassemble the key fob and replace the emergency key. Test your key fob to ensure it is working properly.

If you run into additional issues and think you may need a total Nissan key fob replacement, schedule an appointment with Fred Martin Nissan’s service center in Akron! We’ll do our best to get you back on the road as soon as possible. Want more helpful DIY fixes for your Nissan? Check out our service and parts tips for more information!