99 Pathfinder Won't Start/Stay Running/Pwr Windows/Security

[pingram3541]

HI everyone, ok this is a multi-part issue. Car was fine except occasionally was finicky to start and has death sway yet to be fixed but hey, picked her up for 1k and been driving locally in town for a few months. We had changed the plugs and swapped dist cap a few weeks ago, starting has been much better, fires almost every time...until....

Initial problem:
Fan/Blower was stuck on all of a sudden and temp dial stuck in heat - not good out here in Cali when its hot outside, so wife bought used fan control unit

New Problems:
-Car won't start, it turns and sometimes even starts for a few seconds, battery strong, swapped fuel pump relay and checked ALL fuses (2 locations under hood and 1 location on drivers side dash area)
-Power windows don't work now, all 4 doors, depressed drivers side window lock up/down no change - everything else seems to work, yes door locks work too, just no windows

What we've done/details:
1) Found that fan control main harness was burnt/fried, so that is why fan was stuck in on position regardless of dial position
2) Replaced fan control unit (sort-of, will open a new thread for that part but its only about securing the two "vent" flap controls)
3) While I was working on this, wife changed overhead bulbs for driv/pass lighting next to garage opener/sunglasses holder - one of them blew when she snapped the cover back on??? (not sure, maybe helpful info, maybe not?)
4) Checked all fuses - all light up with 2-pin tester
5) Re-assembled dash but car won't start except to run for about 2-3 sec occasionally
6) Security light flashes slowly with key out or in in ALL positions, even on position, not lit solid, just slow 2.5 sec flash, tried reset with back hatch, remotes have never worked, tried both keys, also tried disconnecting battery over night

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[asnorton44]

Hows your negative battery cable look?

I was having issues with my truck; it wouldnt start; power buttons and windows worked then didnt work....ended up needing a new negative battery cable which fixed everything.

[pingram3541]

It appears to be good. Battery is new and is strong turning over. All the dash lights works, power locks etc. Just no windows across all 4 doors and more importantly, won't start. =(

Can someone confirm that when the key is turned to ON position the security led does not light at all, not even blinking or is this normal?

[asnorton44]

Does it start better/longer with a jump?

[pingram3541]

Yep, tried to jump, same thing. Battery is brand new, new plugs, everything was running great until we swapped the fan/temp control panel. Also verified relay for power windows is good, they still don't work either. Just found out dash lights don't work either (gauges and gears are dark) but cluster panel shows the icons, ie cel, abs, fuel etc. are all lit, and interior lights work too.

no start (rarely runs for 3-5 seconds TOPS! - can audibly hear fuel pump prime and after several tries there is a smell of gas, tried with and w/out pumping or holding pedal while turning over, cranks good, verified spark...)
no pwr windows (all 4 doors, nada)
no light on speedo (dimmer does nothing)

Next test, pull fuel pump fuse then spray starter fluid into intake while turning over and she if she runs.

[pingram3541]

Yep, runs if I spray directly into intake and manually open throttle while someone turns her over. Definitely a fuel delivery problem. Dagnabit, there is no test valve on the fuel rail...makes it kind of hard to troubleshoot but I can hear fuel pump prime every time ign switch in "On" pos. Also checked fusible link, voltage good, but seriously did this have to be bolted in underneath, should just be able to pull it out like a fuse, jeez nissan??? Going to call locksmith I've been told is the guru on this stuff...save me a tow and hopefully gets to the bottom of this.

[Towncivilian]

Have you tried changing the fuel filter? It usually doesn't cause starting issues but if it's really plugged I suppose it can.

[pingram3541]

Locksmith came out and within seconds found the problem. There is a security ring around the ignition assembly for the immobilzer system, he had a special ring tool that you hold against the column and insert the key through it into the ign switch and it's supposed to light up showing that that immobilizer module is reading the key. It did not light up. =(

$135 OEM, supposed to be plug n play. Local dealer will have tomorrow morning. Bonus! Locksmith didn't even charge me for the visit!

Part# is 28590-C990A

I'll post back if this isn't the fix. Thanks for the help.

[jleippi]

Im having similar issues was that the problem the immobilizer. You say you should see a Light????

[pingram3541]

Locksmith coming back out today. The manual says the security light should not be lit when turning the key to the "on" position but it remains flashing every 2.5 sec. My wife says she thinks it's always flashed, on, off, driving down the road etc.

Locksmith previously came out and had a small white ring with 3 leds on it. He said when holding it against the ign switch and inserting the key that the leds should light up on his ring tool indicating the immobilizer is reading the key. His tool did not light.

He said the replacement unit should simply be plug and play but the nissan parts guy said it needs to be programmed. The nissan parts guy gave me the number of a mobile locksmith since we can't get the vehicle to the dealership without tow...lol, he gave me the number of the same locksmith I am using =)

Swapped out unit after disconnecting battery and airbag fuse (just in case). The security led does not light or flash at all, in any key position and vehicle still doesn't start nor do the pwr windows. Locksmith will be out in about an hour, says $60 to program it.

[pingram3541]

New unit did not light up his tool. He called his Nissan master tech but could not troubleshoot any further over the phone. Going to have to have vehicle towed to dealership and probably be exposed to exorbitant fees =(

[pingram3541]

Vehicle is now fixed, sort of. Took to Quality Nissan in Temecula Ca.

First, I dropped it off after hours and left specific instructions to call me before doing any inspection or work. They did not call for 2 days nor follow my instructions. They called me only after I called requesting a status update. When they did call, they told me they found that the problem was the immobilizer main control unit and would cost me $440 parts and labor and was a special order item. I got pissed. I told the service writer I was upset they did not call me first as requested and that I had already troubleshot the control unit purchased FROM THEM for $115, they were trying to sell me another one for $180 now!!! Additionally the labor was ridiculous since I already had the dash and column apart and was not asking them to put anything back together, so swapping the unit was literally unplugging the harness and plugging the new one in, taking all of 2 seconds! I told the writer to find the new unit in the glove box and call me back when they figure it out. I authorized $200 to trace the electrical.

Again, no call for a few days, had to keep calling back for updates. Tech never called me as requested, even though I told them I had a lot of troubleshooting info to share saving them time and me money.

A week later they said they found a short behind the drivers side fuse box and said my old immobilizer main control unit was also still faulty and they had to use the new one I had already purchased and reprogram it (haven't put the old one back in but I'm skeptical this is truthful since they knew I wanted to return it). I asked them how much to hook up the air control unit we were originally trying to fix, since the flaps for hot/cold and vent positions was a real pain I really didn't want to mess with it but told them that I could put the rest of the dash and column back together. They told me $100 of which I ok'd.

2 days later I called to get another update and they said it would be ready that night and that the tech had gone ahead and put the dash and column back together as a courtesy and at no additional charge for my troubles. I was impressed but that was short-lived.

Picked up the car and drove it home only to find that the temp controls did not work at all and that my other set of keys also no longer work...the next morning I found that the stereo was not even screwed back in as it slid out while accelerating. I paid $300 and really feel taken advantage of but the car does now start and the pwr windows are also now working.

Needless to say, I'm never going back nor referring anyone to Quality Nissan!