viper 5501 smartstart, 2000 maxima se

Rich, send me your email by PM. i will send you the full printout of this car (wire connectors etc) maybe it will help you. From my knowledge the secu is just for factory security. it might have been taken out because the previous installer did not know how to bypass it. the secu can be taken out with no problems to the vehicle, just keyless remotes no longer work (which is the use of the 5501 start/keyless) the secu also monitors door triggers, trunk release etc. I have a feeling the secu unit went bad (common problem for pre 02) so the previous owner just had it removed, and the 5501 installed. Edit: PM Sent Ted

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

tedmond, the 5501 must be one heck of a unit when installed properly considering that - a: the car ran AND b: just about everything did operate, amazing when looking at all that was cut up and bypassed one way or another. I'm guessing this is why the 5501 system started to fail - as indicated by the features / accessories that stopped functioning, again a "guess" on my part at the time. When my son brought the car home I drove it for 2 days to feel the car out, motor, shift points, climate control operation, how it handled, etc. Anyway, I recall that the vehicle did not respond to either of the Viper remotes, however both factory remotes did lock / unlock the doors, the front windows went down when holding the unlock button and the horn announced properly, what did not function was the Nissan Security indicator, the red flashing lamp. Since this is a NATS vehicle, my neighborhood is fairly decent and everyone that knows me is aware of the 12 gauge at one door PLUS the additional security "measures" I keep throughout the house I wasn't all that concerned if the alarm actually sounded, this was something that could wait until warmer weather arrived, as we know that all changed quickly. Thanks to you I now know the secu has been removed and I have a better "picture" of everything. Your input, guidance and assistance has been more help to me then everything else I have been able to gather since I started this repair, I can't thank you enough. Rich Rich12524

To fix this spaghetti of a mess, I would recommend buying some heat shrink tubing. Whichever wires have been tapped into, cut it solder and shrink tube. This will make the wire like factory. Once those connections are fixed, then proceed to reinstall and solder/tape. It must be tough working with a mess, but might as well do it right now that everything is apart. as mentioned, always willing to help out a 12volter that knows what they are doing.Ted

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

Thanks for the advice, I agree 100% since I need to add wire to make up for what was cut out, that's the only to do this repair, otherwise I could end up with all kinds of problems should they vibrate or pull loose, especially at the highest or innermost end. When I finish this job I plan on leaving the lower dash panels off for a week or so while it gets used, if all is good I will button it up then, two things I hate, a "comeback" and taking things apart twice. As you said, do it right the first time and be done with it. RichRich12524