Alarm Problem

[racer_65]

I own a 2000 Nissan Quest minivan. Recently, I had this problem where the alarm cannot be shut off by unlocking the vehicle with a key. According to the owner's manual, there are 2 ways to turn off the alarm. One way is to unlock the vehcile with a key; the second way is to unlock the vehicle with the remote keyfob. My remote is no longer working, so I cannot use the second method.

Now I can no longer use the vehicle. The alarm sounds whenever I enter the vehicle, and it deactivates the ignition so I can't start it. Therefore, I was forced to take it in to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the problem to be something wrong with the vehicle entry module, which is an electronic unit. They want to charge to a whopping $800 for this job, including diagnosis, parts, and labor to replace the module.

Can anyone offer some advice? Is the dealer taking advantage of me since the car is not driveable (it was towed in)? How much should this job cost? Is this the kind of thing other independent shops can fix? Can I fix it myself? Thanks in advance.

[ponchonutty]

are u sure it's an OEM alarm?

[racer_65]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

are u sure it's an OEM alarm?

Yes. It's an integrated system. The electrical diagram is even shown in the Haynes manual. The actual name of the module is called "Smart Entry Controller" (except it's not acting very smart in this case).

[ponchonutty]

have you tried unlocking it with the key in the pass. door or rear door if you have a lock there?

[racer_65]

Yup, tried all those. The alarm still would not shut off.

However, before I damaged the remote keyfob, it would shut off when I hit the "unlock" on the keyfob.

[ponchonutty]

My guess is the "switches" in the doors no longer work since they've never had to before. You'll have to take it to either the dealer or alarm shop for help.

[Louie B]

I have a 1999 Nissan Quest with an OEM factory alarm that will not arm itself. The remote will only open the door, and the LED blinks only when the door is open. When I try to use the key to arm it, it still does not work.

[Wileman1001]

OK I know it's a old post. But it's one with out a answer. I just had to do this on a quest. Open the hood look for a rubber boot with a rod in it sticking up a little bit above the finder. When the hood opens it tells the alarm system the car is being repaired. Now don't unplug it. It has one 10mm bolt in the side of it. Take it out an turn the switch so the hood don't press it. Now you have no automatic door locking an no alarm going off. Good luck