Does nothing happen when the key is turned? Does it crank endlessly with no fuel delivered?

Trying to figure out why my Max won't start...without having to walk into the dealership like a lamb to slaughter...

 

I'm not absolutely certain, but I believe it will act like if the fuel pump fuse is pulled. So either how you describe, or it will run for a second then die.

 

First it ran for a second then died...then wouldn't start, only cranked.
Any idea why this would happen out of the blue? I tried both my keys, same deal...

 

I believe you had a thread about the fuse. Did you check that?

 

yeah check the fuse that has to deal with the fuel pump. are you useing a maxima key or did you get a key cut for it. is you got a key cut for it it will not start the car

 

Thanks for the replies:
--Checked all possibly relevant fuses but only visually and they looked OK, not blown. Tomorrow will get some spares and try them just in case.
--Using original Nissan keys that came with the car, both no-go.

 

sounds like something is wrong either w/ your keys or the immoblizer itself

 

Follow-up: Checked the codes only got PO325, Knock Sensor, which I believe is a shadow code....All relevant fuses OK. Security light stays on when cranking engine so seems to indicate anti-theft immobilzer... But:

How often does this happen? (I've owned this car for less than a year.)
Any code to override? What if it happens in the middle of nowhere?

Thanks for any help --
T.

 

Got towed to the nearest dealership today. Turns out it was the anti-theft vehicle immobilizer system that got triggered, somehow. The dealership did not have any clear reason as to why, my key with the chip in it could have been altered somehow by a magnetic field or something and/or I may have triggered the system by trying to start the car and turning it off 3 times in a row. The tech said if in the future I see that security light on steady when about to start the vehicle, DO NOT crank the engine as once done it will lock up, cutting off power to the fuel pump. Once it's triggered even the spare key won't start it but if you see that light and don't crank the engine then you have a slim chance that the spare key might start the car. They say it's not a rare occurrence but is unusual. They charged me 57 bucks including tax.

The big question I hope someone will respond to:

How often does this sort of thing happen?
Has anyone else had the same experience?
Thanks all,
T.

 

Yep, another immoblizer problem. Common for 99's. Usual cost seems to be more like $110-140. Nissan issued a TSB on this.

 

Hey
Just posting a quick reply. My maxima just started the same symptoms this evening that yours displayed. I.E. the engine will either simply crank forever, and afterwards the security light will come on solid, or the engine will turn over and die after about a second. Just wondering if you could give me any more details on what the dealership said, or if there is any other way to fix this besides a dealership?

-99 Maxima, previous owner lost the spare key

 

Yeah, that's it. What happens is power is cut off from the fuel pump so that's why it ran for a second and died. As far as I can tell you have to be towed to a dealership...it only takes them a few minutes to reset the computer so don't let them charge you too much. The dealership here only charged a 1/2 hour's labor...
When you first turned the key to the on position did the usual beeps occur?

 

i wonder if you could reset the immobilizer by disconnecting the battery (both terminals). to reset the engine ecu, they say disconnect the battery for like 12 hours. i know this would be inconvenient if the car is in the middle of nowhere, but if it is on friendly area (home freinds house moms house etc etc) you could take care of the problem yourself.

just a thought, possibiblity.

i dont have these problems as my maximas have the old style immobilizer system.

 

That's very creative thinking I must say. It makes sense. I hope I don't have to try it, don't want to go through this again.
Anybody have any comments on this suggestion? Anybody ever tried it?
Thanks!
T.

 

When I first put the key in the car I don’t recall anything being abnormal. The battery reset idea sounds appealing (I'm at college, so I won’t have a break in classes to get it towed to a dealership for a couple days anyways). The dealership service rep I asked about disconnecting the battery working replied "I would say no", but hey, the worst that can happen is I lose my radio presets, so I'll post back in a day and let ya know what happens.

 

good luck -- look forward to reading your follow-up.