Nissan Pathfinder Remote Start Not Working (Solved!)

Did your Nissan Pathfinder remote start stop working? Have you tried everything possible to restore this feature with no success? Or you have scoured all forums but couldn’t get help? Worry not. This guide will help you understand why this happens and how you can fix it.

Nissan Pathfinder remote start not working can be caused by many different issues including dead key fob batteries, improper remote start use, multiple start attempts, hood/truck/doors open, pressed brake pedal, alarm system triggered, hazard lights on, the engine is running, vehicle not in Park, or disabled remote start function.

In the following article, we will share more in-depth details about how to troubleshoot and fix the issue. We’ll share all the potential causes behind your Nissan Pathfinder remote engine start malfunctioning and the best fixes to consider.

Nissan Pathfinder remote start not working causes:

Discover the potential culprits making your Nissan Pathfinder remote start malfunction:

The key fob batteries are dead

The most common cause for remote engine start to malfunction in Nissan Pathfinder and any other Nissan model is weak or dead batteries.

The key fob uses a battery that enables it to communicate with your vehicle. However, this battery is depleted over time.

If it gets weak or dead, it is unable to send a signal to your car, causing the remote starter to malfunction.

Solution: Check your key fob batteries first. If they’re low on charge, you’ll need to replace them.

The fob usually uses the remote coin cell batteries, which you can easily find, from your local auto parts shop or retrial store with an electronics section.

If the issue was the batteries, your remote start should be back up and rung after new batteries.

Incorrect remote start use

Sometimes, you may not follow the correct procedure when remotely starting your vehicle.

This is especially common for vehicle owners who are not used to the remote start feature or those who use it less often.

Solution: To troubleshoot this issue, check your Nissan Pathfinder user manual for the correct procedure for activating your car’s remote engine start.

Follow these steps to correctly remote start your Pathfinder engine:

Step 1. Aim your key fob at your vehicle

Step 2. Press the lock button to lock all your vehicle doors

Step 3. Now press and hold the remote start button for approx. 2 seconds. You’ll see the turn signal lights and tail lights come on. And the engine will start shortly.

According to the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder owner’s manual, the remote start may fail if you don’t press and hold the remote start button for at least 2 seconds.

It may also fail if you don’t press the remote start button within 5 seconds of pressing the lock button.

You’re out of range

Vehicle remote starts typically come with a limited range within which they effectively communicate with your vehicle. Therefore, if you’re too far away from your vehicle, the remote engine start may fail to engage.

Solution: To address range issues, ensure you’re within the recommended operation range for your Nissan Pathfinder remote starter. This is usually around 328 ft. (100 m).

Also, check for electronic devices or obstacles standing in the way as they may also affect the signal range and make your remote start malfunction.

More than two remote start attempts

Your vehicle remote starter also has a limited number of remote starts you can make consecutively.

If you have started your car more than too many times, the remote starter will be disabled temporarily and won’t start your car again.

Solution: The maximum number of start attempts for Pathfinder is two times. If you make more than two attempts, you’ll need to use your manual key to start your vehicle.

This will help reset the remote starter so that it can continue with normal functionality.

Hood is not securely closed

For safety reasons, your vehicle remote start will also fail to work if it detects the hood is not properly closed.

This is important given that an open hood could cause damage to your engine components when you start driving your vehicle. Someone could also be inspecting the hood and may get harmed.

In some cases, an improperly closed engine hood may abruptly spread all over your windshield when driving, resulting in unsafe driving conditions.

Solution: Check your hood, close it properly, and latch it, before you attempt to remote start your vehicle again.

The door and liftgate are open

If your Pathfinder doors or liftgate are not properly closed, your remote start will also stop working. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle.

In the case of the doors, it also helps keep the vehicle occupants safe in case you start driving with unclosed doors.

Solution: Close and lock the liftgate as well as all your doors and then try remote starting your vehicle again.

Ignition switch is not in the OFF position

This is a standard requirement for remote engine start across all Nissan models. The ignition switch in the ON or ACC position goes against the remote engine starting programming. As a result, it stops engaging your vehicle startup components.

Solution: Check whether your vehicle ignition switch is in any other position and adjust it to the OFF position and then try remote starting your vehicle again.

Hazard warning lights are ON

The remote starter will also be disabled if the hazard lights are flashing on. As you already know, these emergency flashers usually come on in the event of unsafe conditions or due to potential problems.

The remote start function, therefore, assumes that starting your car remotely (while you’re not near your vehicle) may be unsafe and simply stops working.

Solution: Check whether your vehicle hazard lights are turned on and switch them off before trying the remote start process again.

The vehicle alarm system interference

If your vehicle security system is currently activated, it will also keep the engine from starting. This is a safety measure to prevent unauthorized access or start of your car and to deter theft.

In some cases, the security system may malfunction and interfere with the remote start system as a result.

Solution: You’ll need to properly disarm the security system in your vehicle to enable your remote start function to continue working.

If you suspect your security system is faulty, have it diagnosed by a qualified Nissan mechanic or dealership.

The I-key indicator light is ON

The I-key indicator light on your vehicle dash usually alerts you that there’s an issue with your key fob or your vehicle immobilizer system.

Consequently, your vehicle may fail to respond to the key fob remote start button.

Solution: To troubleshoot this issue, check whether the key fob battery is low/depleted and replace it. You may also try using your spare fob to check if the key fob itself has issues.

Moving closer to your car may also help improve the communication between the fob and the car.

If nothing works, have a qualified Nissan technician inspect your remote system for any potential malfunctions such as reprogramming needs.

Vehicle is not in P (Park)

Is your vehicle shift selector in Park position? If not, your vehicle may also fail to respond to the remote engine start command from the key fob.

This is a safety measure to prevent the likelihood of your vehicle unintentionally moving and causing accidents.

Solution: Simply put the selector in the Park position before attempting to remote start your vehicle again.

Sometimes the shift selector may appear as if it’s in Park but it’s not, so it’s important to confirm in your vehicle display.

Remote start function is disabled

The remote start function may also be disabled in your vehicle settings. In this case, you won’t get any response when you try pressing the remote start button.

Solution: Check your vehicle information display settings on whether the remote start system is enabled. If not, simply enable it and then try starting your car again.

The brake is pressed

Another condition necessary for your Pathfinder remote starter to engage is that the brake pedal must not be pressed.

If your brake pedal is stuck in a pressed position, your remote start will not engage. This is a safety measure to prevent accidental starting and any potential hazards that may come with it.

Solution: Check whether your remote start is depressed. If yes, you’ll need to release it to enable your remote start to work.

Key fob is inside your vehicle

If a key fob registered to your vehicle is detected inside your vehicle, it may also stop the remote engine start from engaging.

The system assumes that someone is already inside your car and thus stops your engine from starting. This can help prevent your car from being accidentally started or stolen.

Solution: Make sure all the key fobs registered to your Pathfinder are outside your vehicle and out of the operation range and then try to start your vehicle again.

Your engine is still running

The Nissan Pathfinder manual also states that if your engine is running, the remote engine start will not work. In other words, your car engine must have stopped completely before attempting to start it with your remote.

Solution: If your engine just went from running to off, give it at least 6 seconds before you attempt to remote start again. However, note that this doesn’t apply in cases where you’re extending the engine run time.

Consult your owner’s manual

If none of the above helps, you may want to consult your user manual for additional troubleshooting tips for your Pathfinder remote start.

Also, you may consider taking your vehicle to a certified Nissan technician or the nearest dealership for further assistance.

While Nissan Pathfinder owners occasionally grapple with remote start malfunctions, it’s noteworthy that this isn’t an isolated concern. Owners of other Nissan models, such as the Altima, often face similar challenges. To dive deeper into these challenges, consider checking out our detailed article on Nissan Altima remote start not working. In a different vein, if you’ve ever experienced issues with your vehicle not starting accompanied by a clicking noise, our piece on GMC Yukon won’t start with a clicking noise might provide some invaluable insights.

Conclusion

Your Nissan Pathfinder remote start function can malfunction from time to time. When this happens, the key culprits to consider include a dead key fob battery, incorrect remote start sequence, being out of range, hazard lights on, car not in Park, disabled remote start function, hood/doors/trunk not securely closed, vehicle alarm system interference, illuminating I-Key indicator light, many remote start attempts, and others.

To find the exact culprit causing you trouble with your remote start, we advise you to troubleshoot each of these issues. Start with basics like key fob batteries, correct start procedure, getting in the proper range, switching off hazard lights, ensuring the doors, liftgate, and hood are closed, etc. If you’re unable to fix the remote function issue on your own, don’t hesitate to consult a qualified Nissan technician for expert assistance.