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No, it's not stolen! I'm just sick of buying freaking $100 keys! We go through like 1-2 a year!!! Drop them they break, chip falls out, too many keys on the ring, the key breaks, etc...

I know I can put a NATS key in the column but I don't want to. I don't want someone to find out it's in there and taking it for a joyride!

How does it all work exactly?

My understanding is... The antenna reads the key then sends the signal to the IMMU and if the key is legitimate (programmed) the IMMU allows the car to start. Right?

So, if I emulate the signal from the antenna (key 'X' is read and signal 'Y' voltage is sent), if should work, right?

On the wiring diagram it looks like there are two signal wires and if I put the key in and measure the output, I should have the voltage that I have to send, right?

Too simple?

 

Not quite, the pickup sends the key signal to the IMMU, if it's a legit key the car can be started. It's not a voltage you can measure per say, unless you have an oscylicsope(sp?) to look at the actual signal and something to duplicate it with.

You can hide a key near the cylinder, then you'll basically be bypassing the system. Ton's of 4th gens on the road without IMMU systems don't get taken for a joy ride on a regular basis.

Honestly, how in the world do you lose or break keys? 10 years and I still have all my keys and key fobs.

Do you lose your house keys that often as well?

 

I feel the same way - my car has lost its' mind twice at the drag strip and left me "immobilized". The NATS signal that goes to the ECU goes over one wire, so it must be a data stream of some sort?? Too simple if it's a just a voltage, right? But, if the ECU ain't happy, no one leaves the barn.

I wonder if a remote wireless starter is possible with the NATS Maximas? I suppose you could ask any good car thief how they would do it.

 

You're making it harder than it really is.

If you are worried about the key being discovered, just conceal the chip portion of the key behind the steering column cover. You could do something as simple as filing down the ridges in your key to make it inoperable, then hide it. You will still need another key from your pocket to start and drive the car, which will make it just as hard to steal as any other 10 year old car is.

 

The better half does... I have yet to lose, break one!

 

If you want to bypass the entire system, just throw in an earlier ECU, repin the engine control harness, problem solved.

 

More detail please.....

 

This is the way to go. You only need the plastic top of the key. Well really only the transponder chip to be near the antenna. The car would not know the difference then if you used a standard key. (remove all the chips from any other keys)

Why would you want to go through any more work than that? Everything else you do will be more work with no better function.

FYI: I installed a 2000 maxima motor into a different car. Overriding the NATS is not an option (maybe in japan some hackers could but no where in the states). I installed all the NATS componets and taped a key top to it. Vrroom.

 

I'm down to my last key (chip). If the chip goes bad I really don't want to hassle with it.

Plus, I like the challange....

 

As someone stated above, I think the easiest method would be to hide the chip near the ignition and then use a $2 copied key.