My car cranks but does not start
 

I have a 99 maxima. new battery and starter. the car cranks but does not start.
Security red light is on, someone looked at my keys try to reprogram them he couldn't figure it out. took it to pepboys they got no idea first they said it was fuel pump after replacing the fuel pump it is doing the same thing. Its not the immobilizer cause i did the 5 second on and off thing. Plus the key guy said if it was the immobilizer then it won't crank either. is my computer fried any idea or anything else before i take it to dealer and get screwed.
thx

Have u checked the fuel pump fuse? I don't know why it would have blown, but it wouldn't hurt to check

When you turn the ignition key (and don't try to start it) on you should be able to hear the fuel pump run for 1 second. The fuel pump will then stop and only run again when the ECM gets a signal from the crankshaft position sensor that the engine being turned by the starter.

The fuel pump is located under the back seat. No motor noise, no fuel.

the car cranks if the immobilizer doesnt sense a good key. i have a walmart key and my car will crank all day but wont start. im leaning towards this being the issue because you were messing with the keys.

3 things will cause an engine not to fire. fuel, ignition, and compression. in the case of a 98-99 the immobilizer as well. go to the dealer with your vin and have them reprogram your key.

check your fuel pump fuse, listen for the "zzzzzztt" from the pump during cranking

pull a coil and ground it to the valve cover have a friend crank and check for spark.

i would like to rule out a compression problem just because it a VQ but if you never change your oil or underfill it i would recommend a compression check.

He has been immobilized - is red security light is on. When immobilized, the engine will crank but the ECU is not firing the fuel injectors. He needs to have all his keys re-programmed to the car, either by a dealer or a locksmith that has the Nissan software.

On a 98 you need your keys programmed? How is it my car was stolen without hot wiring it?

Its the immobilizer. Immobilizer allows cranking, and only kills fuel or spark. Solid red light indicates NATS has immobilized you. There is no "5 second on and off thing" afaik.
99 is the only 4th gen with NATS, 98 does not have it.

Go to the dealer or a better locksmith, not another "keyguy".

thanks everyone
 

I'll take it to the dealer to get it reprogrammed.

to maxedout 99 , good point it is not making that zzzzt noise right before cranking.

One more thing if that makes any difference, i got an after market Key made about 3 years ago which was working just fine until i guess now. Anyone got any connection at nissan dealership in Los angeles.

Aftermarket keys work fine, that is what I have on my key ring. It isn't mandatory to get a key at Nissan. A good locksmith can make a key and program it for less money than dealers charge. The only point in the dealer's favor is that they will make a key from the cut codes. If your old key is getting worn, maybe the dealer is the better way to go.

There probably isn't anything wrong with your old key. The NATS security system seems to hiccup once in a while.

I could be wrong but I swore I read somewhere that the 98 has Nats as well as the 99 this is why JWT doesn't want to touch these two years but like I said its all here say I could be wrong

Everything that I've read says that NATS started with the 99 year model. The 98 Nissan Maxima FSM does not mention NATS.

What is a possibility is that the 98 Infinity could have had NATS. Many features are on the Infinity before they get offered on the Maxima, but I don't know if NATS is one of them.

dont forget other than the fuse you also have a relay for the fuel system.
swap the relay with a known good relay and see if it starts (if the fuse is good)

i am still leaning towards the NATS though

Two weeks car still not running, dealer wanted to charge me 1500 to replace the computer which they are not sure if it is bad or not. any one knows good nissan mechanic in Los Angeles. going crazy. this mechanic guy came over, he put some spray in the intake manifold car then started for a second.

Is the ecm or ecu unit same for all 99 maximas. my car is SE someone has one for 99 GLE i am getting it for real cheap. how do i know which computer is for my car. thanks guys.

i feel your pain went through this my self and was lucky enuff to still be under factory warranty , my buddy Los did to but was not so lucky he just parted his car out , hope the new ecu works out for you , you will have to get your keys reprogrammed as well so think about that before you start buying the new ecu , is there so way to swap out for a NON-NATS ecu ?

Yes there is but you have to depin and repin the ecu.

OP, did you check your fuel pump fuse and relay?

Fuel pump has been changed first thing pep boys did. anyone out there thinks this could be the ecm. will my car still crank if the ecm is dead. someone came in yesterday very knowledgeable key maker he tried everything still same security light. is the only thing left to do is change the ECM.

Have you checked for Check engine lights? Usually OBDII scanners will tell you if they cannot establish communication between the scanner and the ECM. Then you know you have an ECM problem. If your car still cranks then that most likely means your ECM is in working condition.

If you're security light is still on upon ignition you are not going to get no where with a new ECM until NATS module is cleared and reprogrammed... Trust me. I had my share of NATS fun...

I re-pinned my car to a 95ecu and it is possibly one of the best mods I have done, considering I am 3.5 swapped. Makes emissions a breeze!!:laugh: