viper 5501 smartstart, 2000 maxima se

Hi, I'm in need of some guidance please. My son recently purchased a 2000 Maxima SE, auto trans. Neither the seller (a wholesaler) nor my son were aware the vehicle had the Viper5501 with SmartStart installed not operational) even though both Viper remotes were still with the keys and factory remote pods. The problem, 2 weeks or so after delivery my son got a new cell phone, the instant he plugged the car charger into the front power socket the fuse blew as did the next 3, at this point I told him to stop replacing fuses. A few days later the blower motor, hazard flashers, turn signals, and "some other things" as I was told stopped functioning, this is when I got involved. Once the audio and Climate control was removed I found a power lead Scotch locked (shield was missing) at the base of the power socket / cigar lighter. It turns out this was the beginning of my problems with this installation, wires are stripped and twisted together, Scotch locks are in use everywhere, no shrink tubing, soldering, or crimp connections and I have a section of factory wiring harness removed after it had been cut, my fear is that a module / control unit had been removed from the vehicle with the missing section of harness. This is the area where I could really use help from someone here - it is an 18 pin white connector with 13 wires cut, Where did this harness go? I am a former "Hands On" Certified Master Technician (18 years), former GM (Chevrolet) Master, as well as a former assistant service manager with a Nissan dealership, with over 25 years in the field as a working tech / diagnostician. I have access to the factory wiring diagrams as well. My problem is getting around and in and out under the dash, a few years back I required several spinal surgeries, the last was a complete front and rear spinal reconstruction, as a result I can barely move forcing my retirement some 15 years earlier than planned. S.S. disability doesn't leave much at the end of the month and my son just purchased the car with help from my wife and I, my point being I can not afford to send the vehicle to a shop to do what I once did on a regular basis. Any help would be greatly appreciated by all here. thanksRich12524

H2/1 LIGHT GREEN/ BLACK (-) 200mA OEM ALARM DISARM OUTPUT H2/2 ORANGE / BLACK (-) 200mA AUX 4 OUTPUT H2/3 GREEN / WHITE (-) 200mA OEM ALARM ARM OUTPUT H2/4 VIOLET/BLACK (-) 200mA AUX 2 OUTPUT H2/5 WHITE/ BLACK (-) 200mA AUX 3 OUTPUT H2/6 WHITE/ VIOLET (-) 200mA AUX 1 OUTPUT H2/7 GREY/BLACK (-) DIESEL WAIT TO START INPUT H2/8 N/A H2/9 VIOLET/WHITE TACHOMETER INPUT H2/10 DARK BLUE (-) 200mA STATUS OUTPUT H2/11 PINK/WHITE (-) 200mA FLEX RELAY CONTROL OUTPUT H2/12 ORANGE (-) 200mA ACCESSORY OUTPUT H2/13 PURPLE (-) 200mA STARTER OUTPUT H2/14 PINK (-) 200mA IGNITION 1 OUTPUT H2/15 GREY (-) HOOD PIN INPUT (N/C OR N/O) H2/16 BLUE/WHITE (-) 200mA 2ND STATUS /REAR DEFOGGER OUTPUT H2/17 BROWN (+) BRAKE SHUTDOWN INPUT H2/18 BLACK/ WHITE (-) NEUTRAL SAFETY INPUTTed

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

if i were you, i would remove the system entirely. From there, start rewiring/prepping the harness.Ted

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

Thanks Tedmond, that's what I am doing, removing the systems. I am missing sections of the harness though. For the life of me I can't figure out why someone would remove the section that was clipped. I've seen and repaired some awful butchering over the years but this one wins the Gold medal. I can't see how a "professional" was responsible for this install, I have yet to see a diode with this install so I am expecting my troubles will continue beyond the removal. I appreciate your guidance and help. One question, I was just looking at and printing the 2 body and 2 engine harness diagrams (I found 3 cut factory harness wires under the hood as well today) and was wondering if you might know if the 18 pin connector (female) might have come from the rear of the in cabin fuse panel, on paper it looks to be the M19 connector. I left my hand written sheet with the wiring colors in the car out in my garage where it will stay tonight, done all I can do today. I may need more help if you don't mind. Thanks again, RichRich12524

I hope the image uploaded, I believe it is worth more than 1,000 words. Please tell me this isn't a typical install, wiring stripped and twisted into the ignition switch harness was secured and insulated with cable ties only, no tape, connectors, solder, nothing. I got a kick out of the three 30 amp fuses installed onto the large ignition harness - all for one wire also hand twisted onto that mess. I offered to send Directed the FCC and serial numbers so they could track down who installed the units but haven't heard back from them, I sure wouldn't want this install representing my products. The harness connector I had inquired about is indeed the "M19", it plugs in behind the fuse panel. Thanks again for the info, RichRich12524

no problem, in downloads there is the entire install manual if you need it. hope it all works out.Ted

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

WOW!    Haven't seen one like that recently!    I'm surprised the car was still running.   Will the wholesaler do anything to help? Soldering is fun!

Thanks Tedmond, I will take another look in downloads, I had located, downloaded and printed the generic installation for the 5501, is this the one you are referring to? Still ticks me off that whoever is responsible for this cut out the sections of three harness sections. I'm pulling the dash out tomorrow to get a better look at the situation, at that time I'll decide whether to repair or order and replace the harness(es). What a waste. Thanks once again, RichRich12524

Hi kreg357,

No help from the seller, as is sale, period.  I agree, once I found the extent of the cut wiring I was amazed that the car ran, either the installer is a genius (not) or the 5501 made up for a slew of mistakes - for awhile anyway.  The only problem this car had was an intermittent no voltage from the front O2 sensor.   When I scanned the system I assumed it was a "lazy" sensor, since it was pretty cold at the time and my garage had become a storage unit for the rest of the family I told the kid to just drive the car until the weather here in NY got better, we would replace the sensor then.  It's a good thing some of us consider soldering "fun", this is going to require a good deal of it.

thanks, Rich

Rich12524

Hi Tedmond,

I "think" I have discovered what the missing module may be.  If you would please confirm (or not) my suspicion it would be greatly appreciated.  I have OEM printouts of the approximate module locations, some of the  connectors, some interior harnesses ( I can't get anymore until sometime next week, my "guy" is out until then ) and the prints on AllData just aren't cutting it.   From most everything I have read I should have an SECU module mounted on the steering column, I don't have anything there.   Is the SECU module where the heavy harness connector plugs into?   In the photo I posted it is the one with the 3 heavy gauge wires twisted together with the add on fuses ( it also has purple, pink/blk, red, white, etc. color wiring ), the one that is near or in the middle of the wiring mess in my photo.   I can't go by positioning with original wire length, so much was added to this I have at least 12" of travel, I have not had any luck finding where this particular connector plugs into which somewhat confirms my suspicion that parts had been removed.   As I explained in my original post I have very limited movement and I am unable to lay on my back.   Fortunately I have enough removed from the car to give me a pretty good view of things top down and straight on.  The problem with OEM diagrams as you know is everything is pristine in a factory state, no alterations to wiring and everything is assumed to be in place.   If the SECU is missing / removed is this a single, isolated, electronics only item or does it have anything piggy backed to it such as a relay, another module, etc.?

My son is currently driving my 06 SE, a low mileage, non beat on, no scratches, you get the picture, I want my car back before something happens to it, I was hoping to wrap the 2000 Maxima up by the weekend if at all possible, again, any help you can give me is truly very much appreciated.

Thanks, Rich

Rich12524