Immobilizer Removal

[trundlebox]

Hey guys--
~3 years ago I pulled up to a secure gate in my 2009 Nissan Sentra. I cut the engine and leaned out to punch in the number code, and as I hit the last number, the gate started to open just as I cranked my engine. My engine made a weird noise and shut down and the anti-theft light came on. Tried everything to get it started (so did the two truck driver when he arrived) and finally had it towed. The mechanic said it was the immobilizer and no one but the dealership would work with it. So I had it towed to the dealer and told him I thought it was interference from the gate that did it, but the first mechanic told me he'd never heard of that happening. Dealer mechanic said yeah, he's seen it and that was absolutely what happened. He reprogrammed it for $90 and I got also bought a ridiculously expensive spare key.

A few months ago I was trying to unlock my car with my one key fob at the exact same moment someone next to me in the parking lot was trying to unlock his. It wouldn't unlock the car, so I used the key. When I got in, I couldn't start the car and the anti-theft light was flashing. I let it sit for a few days and tried a bunch of stuff, including the spare key at home, and replacing the fob battery. Eventually a tow truck driver was able to get it started. The fob never worked again after that, but the keys did.

Now suddenly the key isn't working to unlock the car at all. Neither key is, in fact, and the fob still isn't working. I can't even get into my car. (EDIT: I was just able to get in by simultaneously pressing the buttons on the fob and turning the key, but it locked me out again as soon as I locked the car).

I can't afford this anymore. I'm on disability, and trust me when I say the disability that I paid into isn't even enough to cover medicare premiums, rent, the 20% over-assignment the doctors are allowed to charge medicare patients, and necessities. I have GOT to find some way to disable the immobilizer. I can't afford for this to keep happening. But tons of googling has gotten me nowhere. Has anyone accomplished this? Is there a link to a tutorial anywhere that I'm somehow missing?

I've found tons of stuff on bypassing a WORKING immobilizer, but there's something really weird going on with the either the immobilizer, the antenna, the key chips, the fob, the ECU, or all of the above. Taping a key to the ignition isn't going to solve this I'm afraid. I want to yank the thing out--is there any place I can buy a used ECU that isn't "keyed" to an immobilizer, and just remove the immobilizer and use the keys like regular keys like cars used to have? I'm desperate here. I'm a decent troubleshooter--I worked in IT, but I have no real understanding of electronics and I've never done anything more complex on a car than changing my brake pads. I'm flat-a** broke and not afraid to try though. I can probably borrow most tools that I might need. I just need to know if this is even possible? I can probably scratch up money to buy a used ECU--sell some stuff, donate plasma--but if I do that am I just waiting for this to fail again? I don't want this "feature" at all. My car is NOT a theft-magnet and this s*** anti-theft stuff has cost me so much in fear/money/frustration. Last night I got stranded miles from home because I couldn't get into my car.

I would appreciate any tips, pointers, stories, advice anyone can offer.

[VStar650CL]

There are three devices involved, the ECM, BCM, and IMMU, and the latter two aren't reprogrammable for security reasons. There was no "dumb key" version of the Sentra in '09, so transplanting hardware isn't an option. So the short answer is, no, it isn't possible.

[Josr]

Not sure if this would work on a Sentra.
On a G35 or 350z you can get an uprev tune and bypass the nats (security).
You can get a remote tune from seymore4 if you have a windows laptop.
He will send you a cable.
He’s on G35 driver forum or my350z forum.
Just search his name on either web site and ask him.
He’s a premier tuner and very helpful.