Nissan Repair: Alarm/power lock problem, nissan maxima se, nissan maxima

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

This is a long one....

I have a 1997 Nissan Maxima SE, 5 speed.  For the past 2 years, I've been having problems that my mechanic can't seem to resolve. Here it is:
The problem started one day when I tried to unlock my doors with the key fob. Didn't work, so I used the key.  When I opened the door, the alarm started to go off, and the car wouldn't start. The only way to stop it was to take out the horn fuse under the hood.  After much fiddling around, removing/replacing fuses and relays, it finally started.
Sometimes slamming the door out of frustration did the trick!
Sometimes it wouldn't start at all so I just push-started it.   
This kept happening and I finally brought it to my mechanic.  He checked everything and finally told me it was a missing fuse and charged me over $300 for the time it took him to find it!!  I asked him if he could just disconnect the factory alarm, but he said it wasn't an easy task. A couple of days later...happened again.  I finally decided to keep my doors always unlocked so I wouldn't have to take the chance of it happening again. It's been about 8-9 months now and the problem hasn't reoccured..until today!  I manually locked all my doors, unlocked the driver door with the key..and the alarm went off.  I removed the horn fuse to stop the beeping and now I can't restart the car.  I've tried jiggling and removing/reseating both "alarm/clutch inhibit" relays under the hood, no luck.  Please help!  Another few things I should mention; 1- once in a while all the doors lock by themselves while I'm driving. 2- Sometimes (only SOMETIMES) the electric locks will work from the inside door switch.   3- The electric windows do the same, sometimes they'll work, sometimes not. (Usually NOT) 4-  The key fob never works.
Any help would be VERY useful!
Thanks,
Geoff



ANSWER: Geoff,

Sounds like the body control module is defective.  The lock thing and the keyfob not working lead me to this conclusion.  I would source one from a wrecking yard and replace yours.  It is a black box under the dash that drives the remote feature, the door locks and the alarm.  Once the body control module is replaced reprogram the key fob and you should be back to normal.

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

QUESTION: Hi Von,

Well, I found a used BCM at a scrap yard for $100.  Brought it home, installed it....no luck.  Locks, windows ans alarm still not working :(  and I'm out $100. I called Nissan to make sure nothing had to be re-programmed after the swap and they said no.  I'm really at a loss.  Any other suggestions.  When my mechanic checked last year, he said he checked all fuses and relays.  Can it be a relay?  I would think a relay is either good or no good.  The thing is sometimes, my windows and locks work.  Rarely, but sometimes....

Thanks,
Geoff  

Answer
Geoff,

Have you checked the master switch on the driver's door?  All wiring goes through this switch.  Also, the keyfob will have to be programmed for the new BCM and that part was the reason I said the BCM.  The following is the reprogramming procedure for the keyfob from nissan / infinitihelp.com.

REPROGRAM KEY FOB
QX4, 1997-2004 Q45, I30, I35,1999-2002 G20, FX, G35, M45, Most Nissan Vehicles
The horn chirp can be disable by pressing the lock and unlock buttons simultaneously until the hazard lights flash, and no enable press the lock and unlock until the horn chirp.
To reprogram (enter new ID) key fob (keyless remote controller) follow the steps.
1. Close all doors and lock all doors
2. Insert and remove the key from the ignition key cylinder more than six times within 10 seconds.
   (The hazard warning lamp will then flash.)
   NOTE:
   Key should be withdrawn from ignition key cylinder completely each time.
   NOTE:
   Do not rush the insertion/removal key cycling process. The side
   marker/tail/license lamps and interior illumination will flash twice when this step is
   accurately completed.
3.  Insert key on ignition key cylinder and turn ignition key switch to "AAC" position
    At this time, the new ID code is entered and original (previous) ID codes are erase.
4.  Press any button on the new remote controller once. (The hazard warning lamp will then flash)
    NOTE:
    Do not press the button more than one time in the above step. If the button
    is pressed more than one time, the programming procedure will not be successful.
    The side marker/tail/license lamps and interior illumination will flash twice when this
    step is accurately completed and programming is successful.        
         If there is only one remote controller skip  step 5.
         5. Additional  ID code entry
         Release the door lock, then lock again with door lock/unlock switch
         (In power window main switch)
6.  Remove key from ignition
7.  Unlock driver side door, open driver side door and then close the door. (END)