Confused about Nissan Connect

[Geordie]

Hi.
We just purchased a used 2013 Leaf SL.
I'm trying to connect to Nissan Connect. I registered with Nissan Connect and added the VIN. But now only get the choice to activate Carwings, which it then tells me is defunct.

I believe the nav unit has been has been upgraded. The TCU ID is 2014-99002707
I can't get the car to connect. (The last Nissan update was in May just before the previous owner sold it)

Any help appreciated

If I'm in the wrong part of the forum, please direct me
Thanks

David

[LeftieBiker]

If you search "TCU upgrade issues" using Google and specifying this site, you should see a whole lot of posts from people for whom the upgrade either never worked, or drained their 12 volt batteries while the car was off.

EDIT: I searched, and found this for you: https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic ... 31&t=21573

[Geordie]

Thanks - Luckily my battery isn't draining.

David

[alozzy]

My confusion with Nissan Connect - how did such a buggy, unreliable combination of hardware (TCU) and software ever end up in a production car.

Trust me, it's just not worth the effort to try to get it to work. Your time would be better served watching presidential "debates", standing in line at the grocery store, cleaning lint out of the dryer trap...

[Stanton]

I can't believe how much FUD--and just plain wrong information--has been offered...so I will try to help the OP.
I suspect your TCU needs to be upgraded to the 3G version; at the very least, you may need the dealer to "associate" your TCU with your (new) account. Either way, a trip to a Nissan dealer is required. The TCU ID provided doesn't tell me much, but the Nissan part number for your model year (12/1/2012 - 9/30/2015) should be 283B0-3NF2B.

I use CarWings/EVConnect almost every day, and the time (and upgrade $) to "fix" it is worth it IMO. The service itself is "free", and it remains the only way to "talk" to your Leaf. Good luck!

[alozzy]

I can't believe how much FUD--and just plain wrong information--has been offered...so I will try to help the OP.

[sarcasm]

LOL, I take it back, I've never seen such an exceptional car app as Nissan Connect. It's absolutely worth every hour (there will be many) spent getting it to work properly...

And, as long as you enjoy going through the whole process every time the system forgets its settings, then you'll be thrilled with the two or three useful things it does.

Oh, plus Nissan rolled out those replacement TCUs with the latest 3G technology, so you can continue to enjoy it for another year or so before 3G signals disappear like the 2G before it.

... Verizon will continue to support "the remaining" 3G devices on its network through the end of 2020 ...

... AT&T will shut down its 3G network in early 2022 as the company shifts its focus to 5G implementation ...

Bravo Nissan, well done!

[/sarcasm]

[LeftieBiker]

I think that the truth lies in between the above extremes. Yes, a properly working TCU can be a joy, if you need to remotely start the climate control. Yes, many people have no trouble with the units - even the replacement 3G version. Yes, a malfunctioning TCU can be a PITA to get working properly - some people have given up after several attempts by a dealership to fix the 3G "upgrade" units. The biggest issue is when the "upgraded" TCU refuses to shut down with the car and drains the 12 volt battery.

[Geordie]

Thanks for all the comments.
If I have time on my hands I'll look into this deeper. Looking at the Nissan History, the car connected back in May just before it sold. So I assume it was upgraded.

David

[Nubo]

... Verizon will continue to support "the remaining" 3G devices on its network through the end of 2020 ...

... AT&T will shut down its 3G network in early 2022 as the company shifts its focus to 5G implementation ...

Bravo Nissan, well done!

I'm curious now -- are LEAFS subscribed to a particular network, or do they "roam"?

[alozzy]

Pretty sure they use AT&T, but that may not be for all states.