2003blackMaxima

I have a 2003 Maxima that came with a Viper 150ESP remote starter / keyless entry.

Everything has been working great except the Red Valet key. I can use it to open the doors but I can't start the car. It tries to start but doesn't turn over.

Is there any magic to starting the car with the Red Valet key?

fd3rew

the key is probably not programmed into the ecu or maybe the chip was used for the remote start?

2003blackMaxima

Is there any easy way to test this? I have a multimeter if that helps.

fd3rew

If your regular key turns and starts the car then there is nothing wrong with your anti theft system. The red valet key should do the same if it is programmed correctly. The only difference between the red valet and the black key is the thickness of the key. The red key is thicker and wont fit in your glove box or trunk.

I'm not sure and can't remember off the top of my head but go to your car and start/crank the car with black key and red key and watch the factory alarm led by the clock to see if it is acting any differently. The led might indicate that the red key is invalid.

2003blackMaxima

Thanks, I'll try that out. Both black keys start the car just fine.

I was also able to drive the car with the red key by remote starting the car and then turning the red key to "on".

fd3rew

is the chip still in the red key? you should see a blue plug on the key somewhere.

It is possible that the previous owner gave the working valet key to the alarm installer to bypass the remote start and had another key just cut but not programmed or the installer took the chip out of the key to be used for the bypass module.

2003blackMaxima

Good point, I guess they would've needed a chip from somewhere. I don't see a blue plug on the key either... http://imgur.com/a/yHPLq

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

The plug is there. Look at the 5th photo you posted. On the right side is the "plug" that fd3rew referred to. It's just not colored blue, it matches the rest of the key. The color doesn't make any difference, the piece is just a little tray that holds the rfid chip.

2003blackMaxima

Ah, good to know. How can I remove the tray to see if the chip is in there? (I tried searching but couldn't come up with a good search query)

fd3rew

I guess your key has a red plug on it. Check to see if there are any pry marks on it, or better yet.......You can try to bring the key to a local homedepot or a locksmith and have them check to see if you have a transponder in the unit. Not sure if h/d by you have a machine or not but the one by me does. Homedepot will not do any programming what so ever, they don't want to be liable for disabled car, they don't even have a machine to do it but they do have a machine to check to see if a key is chipped or in your case if the chip is still inside. They use the machine to inform people that their keys are chipped and the copies that they make will only allow them to get in the car. If your homedepot has a machine, they can at least tell you if you still have the chip inside. If the key shows up blank then you know where your chip went. If the key has a transponder inside, then all you need to do is have it programmed into the bcm for it to be fully functional.

2003blackMaxima

Got it, thanks. I'll stop by Home Depot this weekend to get it checked out.

How difficult would be the programming? Is that something that I can do myself or does the dealer have to do it?

fd3rew

Dealer will charge you big money. Locksmith might be able to do it much less but still won't be cheap. You need a programmer plugged into your odb2 port. No regular code scanner will work. Not sure where you are located, if you do find someone nearby, bring all your keys with you together for the programming. Some alarm installer might even have the machine to program too.

2003blackMaxima

Got it, in that case I think I'll pass. It sounds like it'll be cheaper to get another viper remote and have it re-programmed into my car.