00-04 Nissan Xterra No Start - No Crank - Security System Relay

Having a no start - no crank situation on your 00-04 Nissan Xterra? Before spending money on a battery, starter, and other electrical parts...you can test this with 3 inches of wire and a couple of spade terminals.
The security system actually locks out the starter by design in the start circuit. If the security system relay fails, it can lock out the starter motor, even if the rest of the starting system is functioning. Use a short jumper wire to bypass the relay and test your start circuit to verify the smart entry control system is not preventing you from starting your vehicle!

[@sethwiles1255]

Thank you so much for a succinct and helpful video!

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help!

[@toonsesthecat3950]

Great work on the vids and patiently answering questions. Popped out the smart entry box and it starts fine. No power door locks though. Think I will try this out and hopefully get back locks.

[@XterraRob]

Should do the trick!!!! Good luck and let me know if it works!

[@toonsesthecat3950]

Relay is behind the hood release on a 2000 ... remove kick panel to get. It starts and has power locks!! Thanks again

[@XterraRob]

@@toonsesthecat3950 yeahhhh buddy!!!! Thanks for letting me know it worked!

[@motersickel]

Hey thanks for the video man....I run into the same problem and I was thinking it had something to do with the security relays I just didn't know where it was at... Cool deal...

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help!

[@sugarwalker89]

Great Job Dude!!!!

[@XterraRob]

Thanks man I appreciate it!

[@alonsosanchez1500]

Thank you

[@reesegarza9117]

Hey Rob, what is the switch identification number? in the video you turn it to fast to see. I pulled battery off 2003 xterra as i was doing some work. off for about a week. not its acting like the security system is blocking the start up. No key fob as vehicle was bought used. Thanks!

[@opticpoet]

(Lengthy, but I need help) So I have a 2000X, 4WD. Bought in 2018, Did a little tune up, new tires, drove straight down to Key West, round trip about 3000 miles. Did great. It did not come with a key fob. In Daytona, we got back to it from the beach, put the key in the lock, alarm started going off. Original owner had some screwy battery terminal. I disconnected the battery, let it sit. No more problem. Since 2018 it would rarely do something like that. This past summer it got really bad. Had to have it towed twice. Sometimes it just wouldn't start. Sometimes it was a complete dead car. I tried the whole turn key so many times, lock, unlock door, stand on one foot, stick your tongue out, you know, the usual. Got it to the mechanic. I suggested relay. He changed battery terminals. No problems since then, until tonight. It has power but I tried jumping it just to rule that out. Nothing happened. I disconnected the battery a couple of hours ago to reset it. I'm going back to reconnect and I suspect it will start and i can bring it home. Auto parts store said it didn't have a relay and I'd have to take it to Nissan to change the security module. That didn't sound right. I see you mentioned 2 relays. I'm going to try just changing it before the jumper, but is there one you would suggest replacing first? Does this even sound like a relay issue?

[@XterraRob]

It could be the relay I deacribed here. The second relay I reference is not related to start system...just mentioned it so you don't grab the right one. Try the jumper wire I describe here as a test to see if it helps. If it does then either the relay is bad or security control module.

[@judithhill2691]

I'm going to try to jump start my security relay like this , i have a no start no crank one click and it happened suddenly but i see where a wire is attached to one of my fuses and there is a 100 fuse under my fuse box down under the dash not sure what it was installed for because I'm the second owner of mmy 2000 Nisson Exterra. I think maybe the first owner did the same only a different way. I will let you know how it comes out,🤞🏼I hope i get a crank up...

[@judithhill2691]

If that security relay is bad will it stop all the fuses above it there except for the last two rows to show they are bad and not lite the tester lite up because I changed all those fuses and still the tester lite didn't lite up on any of those fuses only the last two rows of fuses still lite up the fuse tester lite.

[@santonucci]

I did a quick peek under the dash of my 2005 Frontier today after towing it home. I don't see the security relay? Do you know if it might be somewhere else? I'm deadstick on the key.

[@bluegill2030]

Hello… I have a 04 manual Transmission and today I replaced a oxygen sensor, ran the car for about 20-30 minutes shut it off…key in ignition in “off” position for about another 30 minutes then tried to start it again and it won’t. Is this security function the issue?? Can I do the same as you showed to disable it??

[@micheleahrens7142]

Yes I have a 2008 Nissan frontier I'm going thru the same problems, replaced crankshaft pos. sensor, new starter/solenoid, afew relays , fuses and still have no crank to starter. So I'm going to go try this right now.

[@soldierscraft9213]

Did it work??

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

You need to diagnose the issue and stop throwing parts at the car hoping for a fix.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

You need to diagnose the issue and stop throwing parts at the car hoping for a fix.

[@judystewart3487]

2007 Nissan same problem three ships later false codes thousands in parts that solved nothing. Been diagnosed Everytime. Last ship no charge for diagnostic because they said nothing wrong! It was no crank no start in their parking lot!!! So I will gladly try since no one has helped ​@@abdul-kabiralegbe5660

[@steven5810]

Hey Rob, I was doing a 5 min errand, walked in the place then walked out. Got back in the truck, turn the key. The starter did a 1/4 rotation and stopped. Tried again and nothing. Had it towed home. Checked all the fuses. Everything seems ok. Bought a neutral switch, will be replacing it this week. But I have a feeling this is the issue you have just described. Everything has power but the starter won't engage. So will see. Have any other pointers. PLEASE! let me know. Thanks 2003 SC XE

[@XterraRob]

First quick and easy things to try is move the gear shifter a bit to see if the park/neutral switch reconnects and allows it to start. Next would be to try this jumper wire as a test and see if it comes back to life. Otherwise I would focus on battery terminals, checking good grounds and battery health (try with a boost). Do you know how to use a multi meter to check voltages?

[@ExpoPerformence]

I’m thinking I’m having this problem the security light isn’t flashing anymore everything else work just no crank no start installed a new starter still nothing.

[@charlenearline707]

This happens to me at least twice a year, I have to give the battery a jump and the anti-theft light goes off the next time I restart the car. It's still frustrating to have to do that.

[@bluurrrppbleeepboooop4425]

Would this cause the doors to automatically lock when I hit the unlock on the alarm fob? It will do it for a few days everytime I hit unlock it automatically locks instantly. Then it will stop for a few days

[@XterraRob]

It won't do that...so to clarify: the car is locked and you hit the key fob to unlock? The doors then unlock briefly and immediately lock back? Is that it?

[@parker123ism]

I have a 03, would love to see you do a video on replacing the brake light switch. Absolutely brutal to get to or adjust. Thanks

[@XterraRob]

I havent had to do that yet...but rewatching the video...oof. Looks awful!

[@spasticnapjerk]

I thought I read something that said to just find an easier place to mount a switch.

[@missyhammons]

I have a 2004 and it won't start it will turn over but won't actually start I can hear the fuel pump it great car it runs great just one trip store wanted act up maybe any idea

[@XterraRob]

When was last time you had a tune up? Spark plugs, wires, distributor rotor and cap? If starter motor is turning but engine won't quite catch and run...sounds like fuel, air, or spark is out of wack. Check for air leaks in air intake too.

[@migueldlacruz5968]

My 2008 Xterra keeps blowing the 140 amp battery link fuse

[@Js_junkyard]

Our 02 is doing this thing where there’s no power to the dash or radio and won’t even crank. The first time, i jump started it, then cleaned up the battery terminals and tightened connections. I didn’t have my meter to check battery voltage. There’s no loose wiring. The battery sits at 12.6 volts. I have not pulled relays to test them yet.

[@XterraRob]

How old is your battery? Maybe your alternator failed and it's not charging the battery? That or try cycling the gear shift knob. Some times the switch that checks if the car is in park doesn't detect the shifter and locks out the start circuit.

[@Js_junkyard]

@@XterraRob the battery must be getting charged because it has good voltage and the kid has been driving it for the past two weeks. We tried the gear cycling thing.

[@itgirl1974]

Did this act up or have symptoms before it stopped working altogether?

[@XterraRob]

Nope...just one day a no start no crank issue spent all day testing battery, jump starting, replacing battery cable and clamps, cleaning up grounds etc. Took hours to find this one oddly specific thing.

[@garylp3]

Is your plenum coolant hose still bypassed? I'm thinking about bypassing mine. Thanks.

[@XterraRob]

Nah I put them back...just to keep maximum coolant capacity and help keep everything good. I replaced those two hoses with Nissan clamps and hoses and got all the drips taken care of.

[@garylp3]

@@XterraRob OK. Thanks,

[@TheGamer065.]

I've got a 2004 nissan exterra that when you turn the key it Makes a single click and nothing else

[@antoniomontejano4202]

My xterra is 2001 and I'm having trouble with it not having any lights on the dash but the security light keeps flashing will this relay fix my problem to

[@XterraRob]

Probably not...the relay is only to control vehicle starting or not. If you have no power to the dash, sounds like a wire harness issue not sending power to the display/gauges

[@paulcalif]

I bought my buddy's 99 Frontier (he passed away). I was helping him diagnose an intermittent no crank issue. We bypassed the clutch safety switch, and the fuse box relay. He decided to replace the battery against my recommendation. Then when that didnt help, he replace the starter, that didnt help either. Now that its mine, I'm suspecting the alarm/starter lockout relay. It looks like there was once an aftermarket alarm on it, as there is a led attached under the dash. There is a relay under the dash that I thought might be associated with the alarm system. Can I indentify the relay in your video by the color of the wires? I didnt get a alarm remote. It starts fine every 3rd or 4th try.

[@XterraRob]

I don't know the frontier specifics ... But do a Google search for "1999 Nissan Frontier Factory Service Manual". There is a website called niccoclub that should have links to download .PDF documents of the service manual. There is a section for starting that has electrical schematics of your start circuit. That should systematically help you diagnose what's going on and confirm wire colors.

[@paulcalif]

Thanks!@@XterraRob

[@paulcalif]

I got it, I see how it works, I got the wire color and I should be able to track it down and troubleshoot it. Thank you very much!!@@XterraRob

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help and good luck...tell me what the problem was when you figure it out!

[@fuadal-bahathly9312]

Hello I have a 2001 nissan xterra that's doesn't crank or start I have replaced the battery and starter but still nothing I than put a wire from the starter straight to the battery and the car turns on without a problem but will not turn on when using the key

[@XterraRob]

Is this an intermittent problem or constant? I have another video about park neutral switch that can lock out the starter. You could try cycling the gear selector through the range and then trying to start. Sometimes the switch doesnt detect when it is in park correctly.

[@nickyjim12]

What is the number on the relay?

[@jimmieleonard8289]

Ha i hope you can help me i have a 2000 Nissan Frontier the door locks ,locks and unlocks on its own

[@XterraRob]

Does it not lock up right when using keyless remote or when using inside button? Like it tries to lock and then pops back to unlock? Or does it just randomly flip back and forth while driving?

[@jimmieleonard8289]

@@XterraRob flip back forth while driving

[@user-ed2io1lm3z]

can you just eliminate the relay all together

[@ExpoPerformence]

One problem is I cannot find the relay I’ve been looking for a good hour or so what I don’t understand is mine is an 04 like yours and it looks a little different

[@XterraRob]

Someone said theirs was behind the hood release and they took the kick panel off to find it. May try to remove some of the plastic dash trim to get a better look.

[@ExpoPerformence]

@@XterraRob i ended up finding it was really tucked up in there but I made a jumper still nothing I’m hoping the relay in the engine bay for the security system/lamp is the problem I purchased a new one today only reason I think it’s the problem if I turn the key it doesn’t click at all unlike the other relays

[@ivanhernandez9545]

Do you know it is the same in xterra 06?

[@XterraRob]

06 xterras are all different. They changed the whole vehicle in 2005

[@redemptiongemini]

I am having this similar problem right now …

[@trebochet]

I have a 5 speed manual 2000 nissan frontier 4 wheelie

[@TheMrbubl3s]

why tf do u cut after the brake pedal.. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@XterraRob]

Because it is an awkward place to film and as such the camera was shaking quite a bit and took a few tries to get the right angle while trying to get the view of it. The video and description I give you should be enough to find it....do you not see it on your vehicle? Or have you not looked yet?

[@bluegill2030]

I did this today and didn’t work, any other suggestions?? This POS won’t start!!!!!!

[@XterraRob]

What does it do when you try to start it? Nothing at all? Turn over slow? Try jiggling the gear selector or turn key to accessory, hold brake, and then cycle gear selector to drive and back to park. Sometimes the switch that tells the computer it's in in park doesn't send a good signal.

[@bluegill2030]

@@XterraRob Manual transmission. Everything works except it won’t turn over, does absolutely nothing at all. I was stuck for 3 hours the other day because of this and here I am again today stuck but this time at home with access to my tools

[@XterraRob]

Do a Google search for Nissan Xterra factory service manual. There is a website called nicoclub where you can download the .pdf manual for the vehicle. It is broken up by sections. Look around for the one that covers starting circuit and it should give you some things to try

[@bluegill2030]

@@XterraRob ok thanks. It’s just so dam random when it does it too so that’s why it’s so annoying

[@XterraRob]

I hear you man. I hate intermittent electrical things like this. You gotta look at the schematic for the MT version. I think the MT circuit still has a neutral switch to only allow starting with gear in neutral. May be a few others or fuses you can look at.

[@willardb682]

The relay is not your problem, it’s the smart entrance control causing your problem

[@XterraRob]

Yep...no good way to test the module itself that I know of so it was either the relay or module. Relay tests good on a bench but could be the connector on the harness not making good connection with the relay due to worn contacts. I considered trying a new relay just to confirm definitively...but just left it jumped and moved on with my life.