Question 1

How do I spot a fake locksmith before I get ripped off?

Accepted Answer

A few things to watch for. If they won't give you a real estimate for your specific vehicle over the phone, that's a problem. If the quote is suspiciously low and they say they'll sort out the price once they arrive, that's a bait and switch. If you search their business name and find no physical address, no real reviews, or nothing but a stock-photo listing, move on.

For Nissan Intelligent Key work specifically, a legitimate locksmith should be able to tell you without hesitating that your 2006 Murano uses the Intelligent Key system, what fob battery it takes, and whether your situation needs a reprogram or a full replacement. If they can't speak to those details before they show up, they probably can't do the job once they get there either. Nissan owners on forums have gotten burned by low-ball quotes that ballooned once the "technician" arrived and realized the job was harder than a basic key copy.

Question 2

What exactly is a smart key, and why can't I just copy it at the hardware store?

Accepted Answer

The fob on your 2006 Murano is not just a remote. It carries a transponder chip that has to be registered to your vehicle's immobilizer system. The car checks for that chip's signal before it allows the engine to start. A hardware store can cut the shape of the blade, but they can't program the chip. A copy with the right cut but no programmed chip will unlock the door and then do nothing when you try to start it.

Replacing it properly means cutting a new blade to match your vehicle and registering the new fob to the immobilizer through a diagnostic connection. Both steps have to happen. One without the other leaves you with a key that's only half functional.

Question 3

What tools do you actually use to program a 2006 Murano key?

Accepted Answer

Professional key programming equipment with full Nissan coverage handles the immobilizer registration on this vehicle. The 2006 Murano is old enough that it doesn't require the server-based authentication or credentialed security data access that newer Nissan models do, so the job can be completed on site without factory network access. That's actually a point in your favor if you're comparing options: the process is more accessible on this generation than on current models, which keeps the job faster and the cost lower. I carry the tools, the correct fob housing, and the CR2032 cells in the van, so nothing gets ordered when you call.

Question 4

My 2006 Murano starts fine but the door handles aren't unlocking when I touch them. Is the fob dying?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. If the vehicle still starts and the fob's range seems normal, the fob is probably fine. Touch-unlock on this generation uses antenna sensors built into the door handles, and those can be affected by moisture, dirt buildup around the handle, or a wiring issue specific to that door. Owners on forums have reported one handle going unresponsive while the rest of the system works normally.

Try this first: check that your fob battery isn't getting low, because a weak CR2032 can drop the touch-unlock range before it affects anything else. If the battery is good and only one handle is affected, the problem is likely on the door side, not the fob. That's a different diagnosis than a key issue.

Question 5

I lost my only key for my 2006 Murano. Can you still make one, or does the car have to go to the dealer?

Accepted Answer

All-keys-lost on this vehicle is a standard job. It takes longer than adding a spare when you still have a working key, because the immobilizer has to be reset before a new fob can be registered. But it's done on site, in your driveway in Fanita Ranch, without a tow to the dealer. I bring the fob, cut the blade to your vehicle, and handle the registration through the diagnostic port. The car drives the same day. Dealer route on an all-keys-lost job usually means a tow, a wait for parts to be ordered, and a much larger bill. None of that is necessary here.

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