So I bought the wife a 05 Maxima today got her cheap 500 on account the key was broken in the ignition cylinder. I drove it home. Drives like my 04 even opened it up on highway. Lots of power .anywho, I was looking at new ignition lock cylinder/switch assembly. They come complete with 2 new keys but they say nothing about programming. Even comes with what looks like a nats module but idk. So question. Since I'm replacing the whole assembly is any programming needed or is programmin only needed if I'm using a new key to the old lock switch/cylinder

 

Just swap the transponder chip of the old key to the new and you're good to go.

 

Have you pulled the stub of the old key from the lock? I don't understand why you need to replace the whole thing.