It’s understandable to be concerned when unfamiliar symbols appear on your dashboard, especially if you’re a new owner of a Nissan Altima. Seeing a key symbol illuminated after locking your 2007 Altima is a common query, and fortunately, it usually indicates a straightforward issue related to your key fob. Let’s break down what this symbol means and how to address it, ensuring your 07 Altima Key Fob is functioning optimally.
There are actually two key-related symbols you might encounter on your Altima’s dashboard. The first, often amber in color, displays the word “KEY” accompanied by a small key icon. This is specifically related to your Altima’s Intelligent Key system. When this symbol appears and remains lit, it’s often a warning signal from your car indicating a potential problem with the key fob itself. Most commonly, this light is triggered by a low battery within your 07 Altima key fob.
Replacing the battery in your key fob is a simple task you can often handle yourself. The key fob easily opens up to allow access to the battery, which is typically a standard button-type battery. To ensure you get the correct replacement, it’s advisable to remove the old battery and take it with you when purchasing a new one. Matching the numbers on the old battery will guarantee compatibility. Once you’ve replaced the battery, the amber “KEY” symbol should disappear shortly after starting your vehicle, confirming a low battery was indeed the issue. If the light persists even after a battery replacement, it might suggest a more complex problem within the Intelligent Key system, requiring a visit to a qualified Nissan dealer for diagnosis.
The second key-related symbol is a red icon depicting a car silhouette with a key inside it. This symbol is your Altima’s security indicator, and its behavior is quite normal. When your 07 Altima is locked, this red security light will remain continuously illuminated. If you unlock your car and the ignition is off, the same security indicator will blink. Once you start your Altima, this red security symbol should turn off completely. This red symbol is simply confirming the active status of your vehicle’s security system and is not indicative of any fault with your key fob or vehicle.
Therefore, if you’re seeing a key symbol on your 2007 Nissan Altima dashboard, pay attention to which symbol it is. The amber “KEY” symbol likely points to a low battery in your 07 Altima key fob, a simple fix with a battery replacement. The red car-key symbol, however, is usually just the security system working as intended and requires no action. Understanding these key symbols will help you maintain your Altima and address potential key fob issues effectively.
