Experiencing issues with your 2006 Infiniti M35 key fob can be incredibly frustrating. Imagine heading out, only to find your key fob unresponsive, leaving you locked out or unable to start your car remotely. One Infiniti M35 owner faced this exact scenario after attempting to program a new key fob at a Nissan dealership, unfortunately ending up with both the new and original fobs not functioning correctly. Let’s delve into the complexities of Infiniti key fob programming, common pitfalls, and how to navigate these issues effectively.
The Risks of Buying Used Key Fobs Online
Purchasing a key fob from online marketplaces like eBay might seem like a cost-effective solution, but it comes with significant risks. Firstly, ensuring compatibility is crucial; the key fob’s model or radio frequency must precisely match your 2006 Infiniti M35’s specifications. An incorrect match will render the key fob useless. Secondly, and perhaps more critically, a key fob already programmed to another vehicle may be permanently locked and incapable of being reprogrammed. While the exact reason is debated – possibly a security feature – the consensus is clear: pre-programmed fobs often become bricks. To avoid potential headaches and wasted money, investing in a new, unprogrammed key fob directly from Infiniti or a reputable dealer is generally the wiser choice.
Understanding the Infiniti Key Fob Programming Process
The key programming process for your Infiniti is not as straightforward as you might hope. A critical aspect to understand is that initiating the programming sequence will erase all previously stored key fobs from your car’s memory. Therefore, when you decide to program a new fob, you must have all your existing fobs present. This ensures that all of them can be reprogrammed together, preventing any of your original fobs from being deactivated. Even a previously working key fob needs to be re-added during a new programming session.
Navigating Dealership Programming Challenges: Consult 2 vs. Consult 3
Dealerships are often considered the go-to for key fob programming, but even they can encounter hurdles, especially with older models like the 2006 Infiniti M35. The original poster’s experience highlights a common issue: compatibility with diagnostic tools. Modern dealerships typically use Consult 3, Nissan’s newer diagnostic system. However, older Infiniti models, designed for Consult 2, may not interface seamlessly with the newer system. In some cases, as experienced by another Infiniti owner, dealerships had to revert to using the older Consult 2 system to successfully program key fobs for these vehicles. If you’re facing programming issues at a dealership, it’s worth inquiring if they have experience programming older Infiniti models and if they utilize Consult 2 equipment.
Decoding the Two-Step Key Fob Programming
It’s important to recognize that key fob programming for your 2006 Infiniti M35 involves a two-tiered process. The first step is security programming, which allows your car to recognize the key for ignition and starting the engine. The second step is remote function programming, which enables features like keyless entry, locking/unlocking doors, and panic button functionality. The original poster’s experience indicates that while dealerships might successfully complete the first security step – evidenced by the car starting when the key is in the port – they might fail at the second step, the remote function programming. This failure often results in a key that starts the car but lacks remote capabilities. It appears that the Consult 2 system is often necessary to complete the remote programming step for these older Infiniti models. Aftermarket software and even Consult 3 may only handle the initial security programming, leaving you with a partially functional key fob.
Conclusion: Seeking the Right Expertise for Your 2006 Infiniti M35 Key Fob
In conclusion, programming a key fob for your 2006 Infiniti M35 can be more complex than anticipated. While purchasing a used key fob online presents considerable risks, even dealership programming isn’t always foolproof due to potential diagnostic tool incompatibilities. To ensure successful key fob programming, especially for remote functions, it’s advisable to:
- Purchase a new, unprogrammed OEM key fob.
- Inquire with dealerships about their experience with older Infiniti models and their Consult system capabilities, specifically asking if they have Consult 2 available.
By understanding these nuances, you can better navigate the process of 2006 Infiniti M35 Key Fob Programming and hopefully avoid the frustrating experience of losing key functionality.
