How To Program The Key FOB On 1998-2002 Nissan

Programming a new remote (key FOB) for your 1998-2002 Nissan isn't hard. In this tutorial I'll explain the steps. I'll also tell you where you can buy one that'll cost you a lot less than at your local parts store (or Nissan dealer).

NOTE: These instructions apply to:

• 1998-2000 Nissan Frontier.
• 1999-2002 Nissan Quest (1999-2002 Mercury Villager).
• 1996-1998 Nissan Pathfinder.

You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Programar El Control De Alarma 1999-2002 Nissan Quest (at: autotecnico-online.com).

Programming The Remote (Key FOB)

Here are the step-by-step instructions to program your new (or old) key FOB (for the vehicles listed above):

1. Enter the vehicle and close all doors. Now, lock all doors using the door lock switch on the driver side door. Don't lock the doors using a remote. To see the location of this door lock switch, go here: Location Of Door Lock Switch.
2. Insert and completely remove the key in the ignition switch 6 times within 10 seconds. It's important to insert and completely remove the key within 10 seconds (use a watch to time yourself). After inserting and removing the key 6 times, you should hear the flasher for the emergency lights start clicking and the exterior lamps should start flashing (outside the vehicle).
3. NOTE: If the hazard lamps flasher did not activate and the exterior lamps did not start flashing, then:
   • Unlock the doors (using the door lock switch) and open the driver side door but don't exit the vehicle.
   • Now, close the driver side door, lock all doors using the door lock switch on the driver side door.
   • Insert and completely remove the key from the ignition switch 10 times within 10 seconds (instead of 6 times within 10 seconds).
4. Once you hear the hazard lamps flasher clicking (inside the vehicle), insert the key in the ignition switch and turn the key to the ACC position.
   • NOTE: To find out more about the ACC ignition switch position, go here: Ignition Switch Positions.
5. Within 5 seconds, after turning the key to the ACC position, press the lock button on the control. If everything is in order, the hazard lamps flasher will activate. This remote is now programmed and ready to use.
6. If you have another control or the original one, continue with this step, if not, go to step 7.
   • Unlock all the doors using the door lock switch on the driver's door (don't use the remote).
   • Within 5 seconds (of unlocking all doors), push the LOCK button on the remote that you're programming.
   • If everything is in order, the hazard lamps flasher will be clicking inside the cabin. This remote is now programmed and ready to use.
   • Repeat this process with the other remotes you want to program.
7. Once you have programmed the remote (or remotes), turn the key the OFF position and remove it from the ignition switch. Now, unlock all doors using the door lock switch on the driver's door panel (don't use the remote).
8. After exiting the vehicle, test the remote (or remotes) to see if they lock and unlock the doors.

Where To Buy The Nissan Remote (Key FOB)

Ignition Switch Positions

The ignition switch has 4 positions, these are: OFF, ACC, ON, and START. To program the remote (key FOB), the ignition switch has to be in the ACC position.

Location Of Door Lock Switch

The door lock switch that you need to use to lock/unlock the doors (using the instructions above) is on the driver door master window switch assembly.