I have just recently purchased a 2000 nissan maxima SE with 106,000k. The car needs a new wheel bearing, and a new tie rod which i can do easily. Other than that i have a concern about purchasing the key fob online since mine did not come with one. The factory alarm (security) light is not on and does not blink like it is supposed to. I found a switch on the dash that the previous owner had hooked up but that also does not light up anymore. I havent had a chance to trace the wires back to where they go yet but im assuming that since the security light isnt on anymore they may have disabled the alarm and installed a seperate (aftermarket) alarm. does anyone have any input on this situation? i would love to have a key fob instead of having to manually unlock/lock everything.

 

The security light should blink with the car off/keys out regardless of whether or not you use a FOB. Are you saying that that LED never lights up, at all?

You can get a FOB and program it yourself to the car any time. I bought mine off ebay for about $35 (and some new keys too) when I first bought it.

If it has some sort of aftermarket alarm in it that you don't want you can always uninstall all that junk.

 

the security light NEVER comes on. doesnt blink doesnt do anything. I assume then the previous owner disabled the alarm? could i still use a key fob to unlock and lock the doors. my area isnt bad so im not worried about the alarm. even though it would be nice. i may have to go out to the car after work and see where those wires lead and see if he disabled the stock alarm. nothing easier than looking to see if they spliced into the wires right?

 

bump

 

try to set the alarm via the red button on the remote... who knows it might work... might just be a burned light bulb...

 

You need to look under the dash and see if there is anything wired in that is not stock. You have to figure out what that extra switch is all about. Look for wire splicing and objects that are held in place by zip ties or electrical tape or chewing gum and baling wire. It would probably be easier to remove the lower dash trim panel that is below the steering wheel when you are looking.

Also, trace the wires that connect to that extra switch you referred to. Let us know what the wire colors are, the Nissan wire harness wires, not what attaches onto the switch. Maybe we can figure out what circuit that switch is messing with.

There is a fuse for the security LED that you can check. It is a 10 amp fuse, # 12. Fuse # 12 is the left most fuse in the middle row.

 

Here is an image of what the wires run to. There are connections on the ends that seem to fit into where a fuse would go. Also when i take the key out and let it sit, the light does start to blink! Hopefully i still have everything in tack and can use the key fob. i will order one soon. also i looked and saw one zip tie but it did not seem to have anything to do with the alarm.

 

LIke we all said (and you did at first) you will have to get under there, trace everything down and yank it - or at least figure out what is up.

Sounds like you weren't sure how NATS works - if your LED IS blinking then you're fine. You can buy a FOB and program it yourself like I was saying. Just figure out the aftermarket crap first.

 

i apologize for sounding so confusing. i did trace the wires under the dash it doesnt look like the previous owner had an aftermarket alarm in the car. the wires were ran towards the battery and ended right by the fuse box. it was weird because it looks like the two prongs go into where the fuse would normally go in the box. then its ran to a switch on my dash. ordered the key fob today, just confused on what that wire might have been for. i normally cant find things out on my own and have done tonssss of car wiring but i wasnt sure if this was a normal thing the maxima owners do for a DIY setup. thanks a bunch man you were very helpful

 

bump anyone know what that wire in the picture could have been for?

 

Since the wires are disconnected, only the previous owner can say. My guess would be some extra lights, like maybe aftermarket fog lights. But it could have been anything. Since it is not hooked up, I would take those wires out. Also I noticed in the photo that the negative battery cable has a disconnect switch built into it. That's not stock Nissan but not necessarily a problem, either.

You say that the wires may have been plugged into a fuse socket. Normally I would say to look in the fuse block that is next to the battery and see if a fuse is missing, but not all fuse holders have a fuse in them. It depends on what options are installed on the car. I am thinking you don't have the detailed knowledge of the car at this time to know all about which the exact fuses that should be installed.

So far the only thing you have found that is not working is the alarm and the alarm doesn't use any of the under hood fuses. There a 4 fuses that may affect the alarm system, #1, #10, #12 and #13. Give them all a check.