Hello all,

2010 Nissan Maxima sv

This morning when I started my car, the instrument panel remained blank. I tried to turn the car off and pressing the button like normal wouldn't work. Eventually, I held the button in for around 5 seconds and the car shut off. Starts up fine and shuts off by holding button. I pressed the button twice to get power to the windows, just checking everything out. I pushed the start button to turn power off and nothing happened. I had to disconnect the battery to remove power from the accessories. I took it to the dealer and they want to replace the instrument panel but cannot guarantee that this is the issue. To the tune of $1800 I'm a little hesitant. Do you have any tips I should try before going this route? Could I just buy a used one off eBay and plug it in to see if it will work, or will it need programed? Trying to save some cash.

Thanks

 

Unless the dealer connected the vehicle to their Consult tester and performed a diagnostic scan for DTC's they do not have a clue. I would not go back to this dealer. The only part of the instrument panel that could cause this problem is the push button ignition switch. You do not need to change the entire panel and should be able to change just the switch. That switch connects directly to the Body Control Module which controls the ignition and accessory relays. It is also possible that your ignition or accessory relay is sticking. Although the problem may be more complicated I would focus on the switch, the BCM and the relays. Although there is good chance your problem is caused by something else those are items that you may be able to replace yourself.

If you end up having to take it to a dealer only do so if the dealer suggests hooking it up to Consult and performing a diagnostic test before they even start thinking of replacing any parts. The dealer should suggest doing this. You should not be the one to tell him to do it. Play dumb do not give the dealer any of this information that way you will find out if the dealer even as a clue as to what they are doing.

Once they perform the Consult test they may have an idea of what is causing the problem and can quote a repair. I don't know how much they would charge to hook it up to Consult but it should not be more than $100-$200.