My 99 Maxima won't start. looking for help

[SnowboardChick]

Hi, I have a 99 Maxima with a v6. The car used to run excellent. It has just over 100000 miles on it. 2 years ago the alarm went off and I couldn't disable it. Someone who was there pulled the fuse out and the car worked great for another year. Then it started to give me performance issues like almost dieing occasionally while I was driving. I changed the battery and it hasn't worked since. It wants to start and sounds great, but it just won't catch. Actually, it will start after sitting for a while but only for a few seconds then it dies and won't start again. My friend put the alarm fuse back in and the alarm stills goes off constantly as long as the battery is hooked up, so we took it out. He changed the fuel pump a few times. He also tried starting fluid and it still wouldn't run. He checked for spark and said it looks fine. My other friend ran the computer thing and it has no codes. Everyone thinks it might be a security system problem? Can anyone help me? I would love to drive my car again

[Markc]

Almost sounds like a security system issue. Does it have a transponder key? The type with the chip in the head of the key. If so, and either the transponder chip or the recognizing system in the ignition switch is faulty, there is no way I know of fixixng it other than taking it to the dealer.

[loystock]

The 99 Maxima has an Anti Theft System (warning horn and flasher) and Vehicle Immobilizer System or NATS (Nissan Anti Theft System). The original ignition keys have NATS ID stored in the Immobilizer Control Unit (IMMU) and ECM. If you made a duplicate key or if your NATS ignition key has failed and you tried to start the car consecutively. twice or more, the NATS will go into LOCK mode. Only the dealer can unlock your Immobilizer system.

If you're lucky, maybe a re-programming of the IMMU and ECM is required (@ $100). You need to bring all of the NATS ignition keys so they can be entered in the IMMU and ECM. In addition to the NATS key, the problem could be in the ignition switch (NATS antenna amplifier), the IMMU or ECM.

[SnowboardChick]

it dosn't have a chip in the key. At least not a visible one. Is there any way I can go about further troubleshooting more possibilities?

[SnowboardChick]

Oh ok, so there is no way I can disable the system? I have to bring it to a dealer, huh?

[SnowboardChick]

Would I visually see the chip in the key? Bacause i'm pretty sure mine just looks like a regular key.

[loystock]

Every 28 seconds, a car is stolen in the USA. For that reason most newer cars have anti-theft system installed at the factory. If you car key has a big plastic head, that's where the transponder is.

How much more time and money are you going to waste before you listen. Your friend can replace the fuel pump a million times and that will not fix the problem if the immobilizer has been activated.

NICO members are here to help you in resolving car issues. But there are times that only the dealership has the resources to fix a certain problem.