I Purchased a 2002 maxima that can only be started by pressing a button on an aftermarket key fob while the ignition is on....I searched everywhere on the car looking for a module (under the dashboard, rmeoved the glove box..etc...). Did not find any module of an aftermarket alarm system. Anyone have an idea what is going on here..thanks...

 

I've never seen anything like this. Does the starter crank the engine?

It could be something under the hood interrupting the wire from the ignition switch to the inhibit relay or to the starter itself.

 

Google the name / numbers on the key fob see if that thins the search?

 

I removed knee panel,cluster,glove box and everything is original..same for under the hood..There is no cranking.it only cranks when a button is pressed on the key fob while ignition on.

The key fob does not have one single marking on it! None.

 

Well, it looks like your predecessor's after-market system is one of the better theft-prevention gizmos out there!

 

Yea, thats why i want it removed. If i lose the key fob im screwed..

 

Did you look on the column instead of under?

 

Opened it up..everything original..

Is it possible for someone to hack or tamper with a pre existing module like the bcm?

 

Anything is possible, but this is highly unlikely. The BCM is a microprocessor controlled module, so someone would have to analyse the program for the microprocessor and then modify it. A lot of time consuming work.

Another point to consider is that if you have to press a button on the key, there has to be a receiver somewhere to pick up the signal that the key sends out. With all the searching you have done, it must be very cleverly disguised. There could be something that looks like a relay that has been added among the real Nissan relays.

 

Yea, has to be a module somewhere..Hidden really well..

 

You're going to have to trace the ignition signal wire very carefully. It cranks, but won't start or doesn't even crank (if you turn the key all the way)?

 

It doesn't crank at all..when you turn the key nothing happens, only a click from a brown factory relay near the glove box..To get it to crank, I put the key in the ignition on position, press a button on the mystery fob and then turn the key over.

 

After doing a google image search for "Advanced car alarms" I surprisingly came across an image of the same key fob..Led me to this :

Cyclops Paralyser 375

 

Maybe it's under under the hood...
I would check the starter relay or anything attached to wires that shouldn't be there.

 

You were right..it was under the hood.. the aftermarket system replaced the nissan inhibit relay..

 

Wow, that is sneaky. Excellent detective work.

 

So does it work with offending piece removed?

 

Yea,car starts fine now without any extra steps

 

Nice. You sounded so sure that you checked in the dash and when it didn't crank at all that tipped me off. That's very sly. Kudos to the old owner lol