Posted: Sep 15 2008 at 1:38am | IP Logged

Hello all,

I am new to these forums, but I am a car guy at heart. My other vehicle is a Toyota MR-2 spyder. Before I start off, let me just say that I used the search function, but didn't turn up much on my "unique" problem. I've been scouring google and other Nissan Frotnier forums for answers as well. Now that you know a little about me...on to the problem. 

Today, when I went out to my '98 Frontier the battery was completely dead. This baffled me as I drove it yesterday and after jumping it, I verified that there were no lights left on. On the way in to work I noticed the ABS light came on. Once I got to work, someone pointed out that my brake lights were stuck on (that explains the dead battery). It's dark outside, so I can't look under the dash for rubber brake light grommet at the moment (to see if that's the problem) so I pulled the fuse for the lights. Not a huge deal.

Here's where it gets weird. Now the OEM ignition disable system does not respond to the "key" thing that you have to touch to it before attempting to start the vehicle. So I can't start the truck at all and I'm a bit at a loss of what to do other than having it towed to a shop (which I despise having to do).

As a bit of history, the truck does have one other "issue." For around the last 6 months it has had a check engine light code for the vehicle speed sensor. As this was not causing any other apparent problems with the vehicle running safely/reliably and the speedometer seemed to be fine, I did not worry about trying to chase down the problem.

Now I am debating how the issues of the ABS, brake lights stuck on, and ignition disabler all popped up in the same day, seemingly unrelated. Part of me wants to say that it could be some type of faulty electrical switch that they are all connected to (I don't know, can't check wiring diagrams right now), or maybe part of it is related to the vehicle speed sensor issue. Regardless, the ignition disabler problem has me a bit stumped.

Any help would greatly appreciated as right now my truck is stranded outside of my work place and in 9 hours I get off. Thank you

Posted: Sep 15 2008 at 10:28am | IP Logged

Well here's a quick question for you... have you tried putting the brake light fuse back in and seeing if you can start it? 

I'm not sure exactly what is up with your truck, and for some reason I can't access Mitchell on Demand right now. 

It very well could be that for saftey sake, the vehicle is disabled if the power for the ABS or brakes is removed or cut. 

Posted: Sep 15 2008 at 10:37am | IP Logged

The ignition/starter disable will not respond whether the fuse is in or out.

I even tried to put the key in the ignition and turned it to the accessory position. At this point the disabler thing beeps several times and then I put the little "key" thing up to it. It doesn't work, but when I'm holding the "key" to it, I can hear that it distorts the noise a little. That probably doesn't mean anything, but yea.

Is this disabler thing on all nissan frontiers, or was it an option?

I would think someone else must have had a problem with this thing in the past.

Posted: Sep 16 2008 at 4:09am | IP Logged

Update: I found pieces on my driver's side floormat of the grommet that is at the base of the brake pedal. That explains the brake lights staying on.

It seems this would indicate that the ABS light and ignition/start disable problem are not related to the brake lights.

I may be reaching, but at this point, the only thing I can think of is that perhaps when I had my battery jumped (it was done properly) perhaps it might have fried the theft warning relay or Smart Entrance Control Unit (SECU).

I have done some research and it seems the "starter interrupt," as the manual calls it, is controlled through a theft warning relay. From the relay, the power signal goes to the SECU.

With what little daylight I had today I checked all the fuses I could think of and haven't found anything bad yet, but I still have a few more to check. I also checked many of the secondary functions that typically don't work when the SECU is on the fritz (so I've read) - door locks, windows, dome lights, chimes, etc. All of it works fine.

Also, I'm no electrician, but from looking at the electrical schematics, it seems that if the relay were functioning properly that the starter circuit would close regardless of whether the SECU was working or not. Am I wrong?

Does anyone have any insight?

Posted: Sep 20 2008 at 4:49pm | IP Logged

..

kingoni;

Thanks... We do care!

Have a good one while you can still laugh about it.. Don S..

I used to be quite indecisive but maybe now days I’m not so sure!