Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key – PCF7936 Chip, 315 MHz, NSN14 Blade

Used across a wide range of Nissan car keys & fobs vehicles produced from 2007 through 2022, the Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key combines mechanical ignition access with integrated remote keyless entry in a single housing. Each Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key carries a Philips PCF7936 transponder chip and operates at 315 MHz, enabling both immobilizer authentication and wireless lock/unlock/trunk functions. For automotive locksmiths, this remote is a bread-and-butter SKU encountered regularly across sedans, hatchbacks, crossovers, and commercial vans. Owners seeking a replacement for the fob should be aware that the device requires both key cutting to the NSN14 keyway profile and electronic programming before it will start the vehicle. A properly cloned and programmed Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key restores full functionality — mechanical entry, transponder-based engine start, and three-button remote operation.

Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key: Technical Specifications

The heart of this remote head key is the Philips PCF7936 transponder, a widely deployed crypto chip in the Nissan Transponder Key – 4D60 Chip, NSN14 Blade Profile ecosystem of this era. The PCF7936 — sometimes referenced in locksmith catalogs under its Philips Crypto product family — communicates with the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) via a passive inductive coupling loop around the ignition barrel. Without a valid transponder response, the ECM will crank but not fire the injectors or ignition system.

On the radio-frequency side, the integrated remote module transmits at 315 MHz, which is the standard operating frequency for Nissan keyless entry systems sold in North American markets. The three buttons provide lock, unlock, and panic/trunk functionality depending on the specific vehicle platform. Multiple FCC IDs have been registered for units covering this configuration: CWTWB1U415, CWTWB1U733, CWTWB1U751, CWTWB1U816, CWTWB1U821, and KBRASTU15. These different FCC registrations correspond to production revisions and slight internal variations, but all share the same core transponder, frequency, and button layout.

The mechanical blade uses the NSN14 keyway profile, a unilateral cut pattern that Nissan employed extensively during this generation. NSN14 blanks are widely available in both OEM and aftermarket form, and they can be cut on standard code machines or duplicated from an existing working key using a standard key tracer.

Validated Vehicle Fitments

The following vehicles have been confirmed as compatible with this remote head key based on transponder, frequency, and keyway cross-referencing:

• Nissan Rogue — 2007 through 2013 model years
• Nissan Sentra — 2013 through 2019 model years
• Nissan Versa — 2012 through 2019 model years
• Nissan Juke — 2010 through 2018 model years (spanning two production runs: 2010–2013 and 2014–2018)
• Nissan Cube — 2008 through 2014 model years (spanning 2008–2010 and 2011–2014 production generations)
• Nissan NV200 / Evalia — 2014 through 2022 model years
• Chevrolet City Express — 2014 through 2018 model years (a rebadged Nissan NV200 sold through Chevrolet dealerships)

Notably, the Chevrolet City Express appears on this fitment list because it is mechanically identical to the Nissan NV200. General Motors sourced the van directly from Nissan, and the ignition and keyless entry systems were carried over unchanged. Locksmiths working on the City Express should treat it as a Nissan NV200 for key programming purposes.

Programming and Cloning Considerations

Programming the Nissan 3-Button Remote Head Key involves two distinct procedures that must both be completed: transponder registration and remote pairing.

Transponder Registration

The PCF7936 chip inside the key must be registered to the vehicle’s immobilizer system. For most Nissan platforms on this fitment list, the registration process requires a diagnostic programming tool capable of communicating with the vehicle’s BCM (Body Control Module) or IMMU (Immobilizer Module). Common tools used in the trade for this procedure include the Autel IM608, Smart Pro, and similar advanced key programmers. PIN-code-based registration is the standard workflow: the locksmith retrieves the vehicle’s PIN from the BCM or an external database, then uses it to authorize the new transponder into the immobilizer’s memory.

Some aftermarket versions of the key ship with a pre-coded or cloneable PCF7936, allowing technicians to use a dedicated cloning device to copy the transponder data from an existing working key. This approach bypasses the need for PIN retrieval entirely and is popular for add-key scenarios where the customer has at least one functioning original.

Remote Pairing

The 315 MHz remote module must be paired to the vehicle’s receiver separately from the transponder. Many Nissan models on this list support an on-board programming sequence — a specific series of ignition cycles and button presses that puts the BCM into remote learning mode. The exact sequence varies by model year and platform. If on-board programming fails or is not supported, the remote can be paired through the same diagnostic tool used for transponder enrollment.

NSN14 Blade Cutting Notes

The NSN14 keyway is a standard Nissan profile with cuts on one side of the blade. When cutting by code, the key data can be pulled from the vehicle’s door or ignition lock using standard Nissan decoding tools, or sourced from locksmith code databases using the VIN. When duplicating from an original, a jaw-type key machine with the appropriate Nissan clamp is sufficient. The blade tip profile and thickness should be verified against the original before handing the finished product to the customer — even minor deviations in cut depth can cause binding in high-mileage ignition cylinders.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Considerations

OEM units for this key are sourced through Nissan dealership parts departments and carry the corresponding Nissan part number. Aftermarket equivalents are widely manufactured and typically cost a fraction of the dealer price. Both OEM and quality aftermarket versions use the same Philips PCF7936 transponder and 315 MHz remote configuration, making them functionally interchangeable once programmed.

The primary difference between OEM and aftermarket units tends to be shell quality and button durability. Lower-tier aftermarket housings may develop button-pad fatigue or blade wobble sooner. For customers who need long-term reliability, specifying a higher-grade aftermarket shell — or transplanting the electronics into an OEM housing — is a common locksmith recommendation.

When to Contact a Locksmith

Vehicle owners who need a replacement for this key have two main avenues: a Nissan dealership or a qualified automotive locksmith. The dealership route typically involves higher parts markup and a wait for the key to arrive, plus a programming fee. An experienced mobile locksmith can often source the correct blank, cut the NSN14 blade, program the PCF7936 transponder, and pair the remote — all at the vehicle’s location — in a single service call. For owners who have lost all keys, a locksmith with the right diagnostic equipment can still program a new unit, though the procedure takes longer and may require additional security verification steps.