[Mrshake]

Good evening.

I bought a used 2006 xterra se off a dealership and apparently they only had the valet key and no remote. Everything was fine except that when I locked the car and my passenger opened it from the inside the alarm went off. I put the key and turned it and it killed the battery. I tried disconnecting the battery. Ever since connectimg the battery made the alarm go off and inserting the key killed the battery. I was however able to defeat the stupid alarm by inserting the key, turning it to accessory, then reconnecting the battery, and turning the car on. It made the alarm go off again but the car started. Thanks half-ass engineering!. However whenever I park or open the doors the alarm resumes. I read online of a way to reset the alarm with a master key and remote. Is there a way to do it without. Note the valey key has RFID, but I made a 3$ copy and it started the car just fine. Do I need a programmed master key or can I just get a regular key at a dealership in order to reset the alarm? If anyone can help, i need this asap. Thnx 0

 

[Mogman]

Info on the keys and replacement / registration process can be found in the owner's manual page 3-2. The dealership should be able to hook you up with a set of keys and a fob.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/pdf/2006-Nissan-Xterra.pdf

 

[Mrshake]

Thanks for the prompt reply, but that information was irrelevant since my question was about resetting the alarm not getting car keys. Nevertheless, I left the car sitting overnight and in the morning the alarm did not go off, so I assume there is a reset timer for "I am being stolen" mode. Additionally the dealership states the stock alarm gets reset by turning the key in the driver side door. However this did not work for me earlier, so my only conclusion is that I have an after market alarm. Hope this helps someone steal their own car someday ...

 

[Mogman]

I wouldn't say the info is irrelevant. The vehicle immobilizer system is tied into the chip that's in the key. If it's screwed up, it will affect system function. It's entirely possible that the transponder chip in your key is faulty, because using the key should not set off the alarm.

You said it came with no remote and a valet key. Your keys are probably attached to the fob you don't have. The remote (key fob) is how you turn off the alarm, so as long as you don't have an aftermarket alarm the dealership can help you get a new one. The valet key will operate the locks and the ignition, but you won't be able to lock the glovebox.

If you have an aftermarket alarm you should be able to find out what brand by looking for the equipment in your X. Call the manufacturer and get a new fob.

 

[Mrshake]

Thanks, that's the info I was looking for so the FOB is part of the alarm system? The dealership costs of replacing are 125 for the device and 125 for programming, whereas I can get a $8 part on ebay and do the programming myself. Same with the keys, I can get a regular master for $40 and a programmed master for over $100, just wondering if I need to get the programmed key, since my car is able to start with a duplicate of the valet key.
Also how would I be able to tell if the alarm is stock of aftermarket? I assume if I can get the FOB programmed, it's a stock alarm? Thanks!

 

[Mogman]

The alarm and the vehicle immobilizer are two separate systems.

The alarm is armed and disarmed with the key fob. There should be a car shaped icon with a key in the middle of it that flashes on the instrument panel to indicate it's armed. Opening a door without using the key or keyfob (even if the door is unlocked by using the inside lock knob or the power door lock switch) will set it off. You deactivate it by pressing the unlock button on the key fob.

The immobilizer system works off registered keys. You can't start the vehicle unless you use one.

Per your owner's manual:
If the engine fails to start using a registered key (for example, when interference is caused by another registered key, an automated toll road device or automatic payment device on the key ring), restart the engine using the following procedures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK position, and wait approximately 10 seconds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device (which may have caused the interference) separate from the registered key.

If the no start condition re-occurs, NISSAN recommends placing the registered key on a separate key ring to avoid interference from other devices.