I also have a 98 altima, its a gxe. power locks and windows, but i don't have a keyless entry remote.
will it work if I just buy a remote and program it?

 

if you buy the factory remote, yes...

 

it should work with no problems

 

even if I have never used a remote with it before?

 

if you have the keyless entry module installed, you will just have to program the remote to the car. probably using the same method as for a maxima, its in the stickies.

usually if you have that flashing security light, that means you have the keyless stuff.

 

k thanks thats what I needed to know

 

yeah, follow the steps as if you were programming a fob. if the flashers blink you have it. I just purchased a used fob on ebay and programmed it yesterday. Steps are...
Get in the car, lock the doors and put the key in the inginition between 6-8 times within 10 seconds. If the flashers blink twice you have it.

 

On a related note, are the 95-96 and 97-99 factory keyless modules any different? I haven't checked to see if my car has the module already, but I have found a few kicking around in the local junkyards and wouldn't mind adding keyless. They look the same externally (and the wiring looks to be the same), just wondering if there were any internal differences between the 2.

 

to check for keyless entry module, go in the trunk and peel back the liner on the right side. its a square box with some wires going to it:


(minus the dynamat)

or at least thats where it is for 99's....i would assume 97 would be the same

 

Yeah, it's in the same spot 95-99.

 

is that in back of the anntenna

 

its next to the antenna, forward from the jack