Nissan Repair: Nissan duplication of keys, nissan maxima, nissan dealership

Question
QUESTION: I own a 1999 Nissan Maxima.  I brought it to the Nissan dealer in NYC to duplicate my ignition key.   The dealer was unsuccessful in reprogramming the key on their computer and the two new keys did not turn on the ignition.   I brought the car back twice.  The keys that they cut do not work on the ignition although they will open the doors.   They charged me $400 to reprogram two keys that do not work.   They claim that a device called an "Immobilizer" does not work and that it has to be replaced for $850.   I spoke to another Nissan dealership and they informed me that the immobilizer ONLY reprograms the remote and would have nothing to do with the ignition key reprogramming.  Can you please explain. How is a key duplicated and if the the keys were all reprogrammed how is it is that my original keys still work to turn on the ignition? Thanks for an explanation for the above.  Jane

ANSWER: Hi Jane -

I do not quite understand the situation and would need further clarification if you don't mind.

Your key, is it a regular key with the buttons to lock/unlock the doors at the head of the key? Just to ensure what we are speaking of, I don't think there was keyless ignition in 1999, but just want to make sure.

When you say they reprogrammed ignition key, what did they do that cost $400? Cutting a key should only cost a few dollars. Seems a bit fishy to me.

So, are you saying that your new keys will unlock the doors. Is this from the remote, or manually inserting it in the door? But it does not turn the ignition?

Let me know please
want to get an answer to you -

aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The keys that were reprogrammed are NOT attached to a remote.   The 1999 Nissan Maxima had keys that required a computer to program then in order for them to work in the ignition.   The remote is a separate issue and has NOTHING to do with reprogramming the keys.  If the remote were not working it also would have to be reprogrammed but by a separate method...involving the immobilizer.   At least that is what I was told by another dealership.

Answer
Hi Jane

OK. There is a chip in the key for your particular model, however it should not have cost more than $130 to get the key and program both of your keys together. Key is around $85 and the programming for your key is easy, so it shouldn't cost more than $45 or 1/2 hrs. of labor. Those keys are easy to program, not like the new style (I-key) that Nissan uses now adays. Your key is the old school key/old style. The dealer is RIPPING YOU OFF if they are charging you $200.

I think most locksmiths can do it.

But, since you have taken it to the dealer already and it is not working, I would take it back and have them fix it properly.

The second dealer is correct, nothing to do with the ignition keys. I think the new key is not being read by the chip in it because it is incompatible. For this reason the old code (your old key) is not erased, so it still works.

hope this helps -
aloha
calvin