Susan enjoys travel, art, writing, and natural products. She lives in Kent, just outside of London.

I have learned the hard way that if you leave a Nissan Micra for a while without driving it, the battery can go completely dead. This isn't usually a big problem, except for the fact that the electronic locking system won't work either so you can't get into the car to open the engine. If you can't get to the engine, you can't get a jump start, and you can't get the battery out to put it on charge. It is difficult to do anything at all!

How to Get Into your Nissan Micra when the Battery is Flat

Nissan made a hidden keyhole so you can get into your car when the battery is dead and the locking system doesn't work. You just need to know where it is, and you need to have a flat-head screw driver along with the key to your car. Here is my guide, with photos, on how to open your car door when the electronic locks don't work.

1. Go to the Passenger Door

2. Look for the Tiny Key Symbol on the Door Handle

Look at the handle - you will notice the door handle is split into two sections. The smaller part of the handle has a tiny key symbol on it - you have to look really closely as it isn't obvious but once you locate it you'll wonder how you have missed it all this time!

3. Pop off the Plastic Cover

This part of the handle has a plastic cover and it will pop off if you know how to do it. Bend down and look up, underneath this part of the handle you will see a small slot about 1cm across - it's just the right size and shape to put a screwdriver head into.

Put the screwdriver in the slot underneath and gently but firmly pull the screwdriver outwards to prise the cover off; it is just clicked into place so get the angle and pressure right and the end section will pop off. You don't turn the screwdriver, just use it to lever the cover off. Don't be too rough or you will break it as it is only plastic, but you will have to put some effort, in otherwise you won't budge it, especially if this is the first time you have removed it. I had to try a few times before it popped off, but it did in the end, you just have to persevere.

5. Underneath the Plastic Cover Is a Hidden Keyhole

Once you have this bit off you will see a regular keyhole. Just unlock your car the old-fashioned way by putting your key in the lock and turning. You'll been inside your car in no time with access to the battery.

6. Don't Forget to Put the Cover Back

Once you have the battery powered again, don't forget to put the keyhole cover back on. Just put it in position and press, it'll click back into place.

© 2015 Susan Hambidge

Comments

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on May 30, 2020:

You are most welcome Janice.

Janice on May 29, 2020:

Thank you for this. Had no idea about this. Great post .

Vivian on December 03, 2019:

Hi this sounds like a good idea as I can see so many testimonials. I can’t wait to try this on my Nissan micra 2005 model. I am so frustrated as I have an exam to attend and my insurance couldn’t help either. Same problem, a key fob with one immobilizer and I can’t open any door. I changed the key battery but still wouldn’t budge. I really do hope this works for me. Thanks Susan Hambidge

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on November 04, 2019:

I am glad to have helped Colin.

colin fraser on November 04, 2019:

Many thanks, Came out to a totally flat battery and had no idea how to get into car, till saw this post.

Mr JH on February 12, 2019:

Thanks very much for this - was a real help on a freezing cold day :o)

Thanks again for sharing.

George on January 26, 2019:

Hi, i made a new key with no buttons(not from nissan dealership). It just has the immobilizer for starting the engine. But when i open the doors from the drivers(or the passengers) door, the central locking is not working. Why is that??

Karel on October 02, 2018:

Thank you a lot!

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on April 08, 2018:

Hi John, I believe it will. It will only unlock the passenger door, then you have to reach over to open the driver door because the central locking system won't work until the battery is connected and charged.

john myring on April 08, 2018:

will the manual key/door lock unlock the car door when the battery is disconected

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on March 18, 2018:

Thank you Alex. Glad it helped! It's still snowing here - I hope mine starts in the morning haha!

Alex on March 18, 2018:

Thanks for posting this. It has made life so much easier on a snowy day. Entry easily gained to car so we could jump start it :)

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on February 12, 2018:

I am glad it helped Sophie

Sophie on February 12, 2018:

Thanks for posting this - helped me get in to the car as the battery has died!

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on February 09, 2018:

Thank you John - I am glad I could help!

John on February 09, 2018:

Great help!!

Thanks very much

Michael on January 08, 2018:

Thanks for your great help, Susan

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on October 10, 2017:

Ah! I guess the manufacturers can only think of so much! I don't have the solution as I only write from things that have actually happened to me - and so far .........

Nicola on October 09, 2017:

One problem , the passenger side door is up against the garage wall! Anyone any answers?

Mrs Viv Oxley on June 09, 2017:

Thats amazing. I have a 2004 micra auto and had no idea how I would get in it if the key battery died. Thanks so much. From Viv in Devon

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on February 25, 2017:

I am so glad it was helpful to you. Thank you for leaving a reply.

Nigel on February 24, 2017:

That's absolutely amazing, I had no idea this lock existed, you have got me out of a lot of trouble! Thank you so much for posting!

Mechanics Guy from NY on June 16, 2016:

Very good to know

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on August 06, 2015:

MG that sounds like a scary moment. All these new fangled improvements to cars are fine when they work, but when things don't work they are frustratingly hard to sort out. Or expensive to sort out!

MG Seltzer from South Portland, Maine on August 06, 2015:

Good info to have! About seven or eight years ago I was stuck in a car which had only electronic locks. A rainstorm had wet the electrical wires and then the driver was having some trouble with the ignition as well. The windows were rolled up and we couldn't honk the horn for help as it was electronic too. She finally jiggled the key and got the engine to start and we could get out. After that I wouldn't ride inthat car unless at least one window was down! Interesting Hub and I hope I never have this problem!

Susan Hambidge (author) from Kent, England on May 13, 2015:

I was really confused to be honest - flat batteries happen, but to stop you being able to open the hood seemed plain daft. The reason i wrote this - with good pictures - is that i found many answers to this problem on line but I could not make head nor tail of them!

FlourishAnyway from USA on May 13, 2015:

I'd be cussing and crying at this point.