The 2K2 Maxima and Altima both have a "delay" for the headlamps when in the 'auto' position. When you have the lights on 'auto', and turn off the ignition (when it is dark outside) the headlamps stay on for about 45 seconds after you get out of the car.

This isn't like the set-up for the 2K-2K1 Maxima's. When I have my lights on 'auto' they turn on when it is dark, but they turn off immediately when the ignition is turned off.

Another strange thing about 2K's is that when you have the headlamps in the 'ON' postion and turn off the ignition the headlamps stay on for 45 seconds or until you open the door. This is part of the battery saver equipment. But if I could only get the lights to NOT TURN OFF when I open the door! If I could find a way to keep the door from canceling the headlamp timer...we could have delay headlamps!

Anyone have any ideas? I think that it might be as easy as cutting a ground wire or something.

 

Just open the door before cutting off your engine.

 

That's the SECU(Smart Entrance Control Unit), which Dixit and I have called by a few other names if you know what I mean.

It's not as simple as cutting a wire. The "wire" is connected to the interior lighting circuit, so when ANY door is opened and the dome light turns on, the SECU is triggered and shuts off the headlamps. This is probably the SAME wire the interior lights use for POWER, so they would no longer work.

It's NOT impossible, but Nissan made things VERY difficult to change one system withOUT affecting others.

 

Nice try. Nope. Doesn't work.

 

I think that I have figured this one out..although it is going to take some help from some of you more 'astute' guys.

IceY2K1...You are wrong on one very vital account. Opening the rear doors does not cancel the headlamp and retained accessory power. If we can find out how the system knows whether or not a front or rear door has been opened we have this one figured out. Maybe the wires can be switched so the system will think that a rear door is being opened when a front one really is. Although, this will not work if you have someone opening a rear door...but I rarely do.

One other note: If we can figure this out, our retained accessory power will last for the full 45 seconds whether someone has opened a front door or not. You would be able to hit your express close on your sunroof as you are getting out of you car...or for your driver's window...without worrying about opening the front door and canelling the retained accessory power!

Someone can figure this out!

 

This may be an off the wall idea, but can't a 2k2 SECU be swapped into a 2k or 2k1? Might be prohibitively expensive, but I would think the connections would be the same, just the functions would be different..

this may also allow for key fob window control as well...

just a thought...

 

That's NOT good!

Do the rear doors trigger the alarm? I mean if you hold the switch closed, arm the alarm, then release the switch, does it trigger the alarm? Is there even a switch on the rear doors?

 

Just tried it. Yes the rear doors do set off the alarm. My idea will work..if someone can figure out how the system knows whether a front or rear door has been opened. Even the step-lights for the front doors come on when you open the rear doors!

 

I already called David Burnette w/Town North Nissan and he said that it would not be compatible. I have covered all the bases on this one.

 

Did he happen to mention what would be different?

I can't believe that with how cheap Nissan is in manufacturing (i.e. fuel filler issue), that they would do a complete revamp on that type of part..

 

As far as I remember the interior lights(dome, step lights) trigger the SECU.

I'll look at the FSM tonight to make sure.

 

My car is sitting in my garage only 20 feet away. I tried it. The rear doors do not cancel the retained accessory power nor do they cause the headlamps to turn off before the full 45 seconds. This will work if we can figure out how the system knows the difference between a rear or front door being opened!!

I understand your confusion though. What you were suggesting would actually make more sense. I wish I knew where the wiring for the doors went into the SECU.

Is the SECU hard to get to??

 

*snaps fingers*...darn.

 

Someone with a wiring diagram please help us out here!

This is a FREE MOD ...if we can figure it out!

 

Somebody get me a fax #, I've got the complete '01 headlight wiring diagram right here on my desk. It also has a pin breakdown for the SECU.
Regards,
David Burnette, Town North Nissan

 

Again, from a grateful .org....

way to go Dave!

By the way, do you have the front end cover in stock for a 2000-2001 we discussed on the phone a doy or so ago?

 

Dave you got mail..

 

Yup. Sure do.

 

Thanks DaveB.

I think Ice2K1 is going to be our guy to figure this one out. If we could just trade the pin locations on the SECU for the front and rear doors ...this should work.

I just got through taking both front and rear "door-open" switches off the driver's side. I thought that maybe our answer could be there. The switches for the front are different from the rear..even the connections are different.

 

does this mean we can have delay lights when we turn off the car and set the alarm for about 45 seconds?

 

Yes.

 

Pop the trunk and crawl out.

 

I just sent you mail.

I got how to do it, we just need YOU to be a guinea pig once I DOUBLE check the wire colors for a 2K vs. the 2K1.

BTW, Are you interested in deactivating the AUTO headlamp sensor? I know the 3-wires, just need a guinea pig to figure out which one needs cut.

 

If you need a guinea pig for 2K's, let me know. If I feel comfortalbe enough after seeing the diagram, I will be willing to do it.

 

Not interested in deactivating the Auto headlamp sensor, but thanks!

I sent you mail..Waiting for more instruction.

 

Let me double check wire colors tonight for a 2K(All I have right now is 2K1 schematic) and recheck that I'm not missing anything.

Basically, we are deactivating the front door switches from the SECU, then tapping them to the rear switches so the ALARM will still trigger when ANY door is opened. I don't remember Nissan wire color codes, so I need to recheck tonight on my car.

Plus, there may be something else connected to the deactivated wire, but I don't see anything on the small PIECE of schematic Dave B. sent me. I need a guinea pig to test that everything else still works.

 

That's alright, I'll get to it eventually.

Email you more instruction.

 

This mod does work! If anyone is interested post a reply to this thread and I will post a "How to" in the next few days.

Thanks again Ice2K1 for your patience and instruction! Thanks DaveB for faxing the wiring info to Ice2K1!

 

I would be interested.

 

im interested but i have concerns.

are they any risks of blowing a fuse?

or anything melting or shorting out?

 

im interested in knowing how to get delay headlights in 2k2... when will the instructions be up? I have a 2k max.

 

This question would be best answered by Ice2K1. I really don't think that we are messing with enough volts/watts to damage anything.

I will try to post a "How to" in the next few days. I don't live on the .org like some of you guys!

 

No, your not messing with power.

The only way you would blow a fuse is if you cut and connected to the wrong wire, which provides POWER for something(light bulb, lock/window switch, etc..)

These switches are just a GROUND that triggers the SECU. When you open the door, the switch closes, and the ground path is completed.

 

sweet.

 

Just posted this re-wire in "IMPORTANT -HOW TO DO" sticky at the top of the 5th Gen Forum!