Service Engine Soon Light (01 Maxima)

[ISOKE9]

I AM BEGGING FOR ANY ADVISE.

I recently purchased a 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE with 40,000 miles.

MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON.

The dealer is stating that , the PROBLEM IS MY PRE-CAT,
and that the repair is 1000.00. I thought that the light coming on simply meant an oxgen sensor needed replacement.

What do I do?
How can I diagnose myself?
It sounds like they are trying to rip me off!
CAN SOMEONE OFFER ANY ADVISE.
I AM DESPERATE.

[ISOKE9]

What is the pre-cat? I AM SO CONFUSED

[Caracicatriz]

Go to Autozone. They check the codes for free. I believe a Pre-cat is in the y-pipe and that only costs about $200-250. I would definetly get a second opinion.

[ISOKE9]

Thank you. CAN ANYONE OFFER ANYMORE ADVISE.

I AM ON MY KNEES BEGGING FOR ADIVSE

[NickStam]

You can pull the code yourself from your car's ECU. That way you can verify that the code is correct.

http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/ecu.html

[desertmike1]

There is no such thing as a Pre Cat/Catylitic converter, you have one on each bank most likely, some vehicles Y pipe into 1ea cat. The term pre cat is indicitave of the O2 sensor at the inlet of the Catylitic converter.

Now the big Question is.
Is your sensor bad?
Or do you have an engine issue causing the O2 sensor to read out of range?

I find it near impossible for the dealer to put a price tag on the lack of information they gave you, demand more or take your ride somewhere else.

[rather_b_boatin]

I have an 01 Maxima that just had same problem. Should be covered under California emissions warranty, fedral mandate, not sure where to find info. I had to complain to get it covered (under warranty 8/80) at local dealership, would have been $1K.

Recently just had an O2 high voltage & circut time out code bank 1 sensor 2 trip the CEL. Does anyone know the difference between bank 1 & 2? And does this sound like a bad O2 sensor. Dealer wanted $611 to fix this one replace 2 O2 sensors and re-program ECU. Should I just replace the 1 bad w/ aftermarket, suck it up and pay the $611, or just keep clearing the code until engine fails and trade the peice of junk in???? Seems like its $800 every 6 months when CEL comes on.....Not worth it!!

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by rather_b_boatin

.....Not worth it!!

Stealerships do rippin for living.

Cheaper to buy those O2's an just DIY change or go any shop an ask to change ...½hours. Reprogram sounds balooney... ECU reset =take batt off for ½hour. Start reading FSM and become filthy rich... see bottom of page: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/1

.

[99redmaxSE]

i just got my car back from the shop cause my light went on. but it was my ignition coils..cost 700$

[rather_b_boatin]

Originally Posted by Nahkapohjola

Stealerships do rippin for living.



.

Thanks for the info, I'm going to DIY the affected sensor, disconnect batt for 1/2 hr, I'll let you know how I make out. Enjoyed the quote.

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by 99redmaxSE

i just got my car back from the shop cause my light went on. but it was my ignition coils..cost 700$

6 coils do NOT die at once. I am sure they did not give yours back?
Go bck and demand, they're yours!

Or... there's the happy nissan mech with 5 coils, like new... 500$ thank you. (btw. did he happen to rip the airbags off also... according the news, he did)

Oh boy, this is ugly txt. But mind u, the reality is still uglier...

.

[David1201086]

It Most Likely Is Your Oxygen Sensor. Are You A Kid? He Is Probably Just Trying To Take Advantage Of You. Get A Mechanic U Can Trust. I Have A 01 Gle And Mine Came On, Replacedthe Ox. Sensor Its Fine Now.

[David1201086]

Sorry didnt relize this is such an old post

[rather_b_boatin]

01 SE-Repacled what I thought is the affected O2 sensor. Bank 1 sensor 2 is what came up on code reader (P138 & 9; slow circut and high voltage) so I did the forward bank closest to radiator, 2nd sensor coming down from manifold, under the car. Disconnected lottery machine for .5 hrs. The CEL came back on in 11 miles. Beating my head against the wall w/ this stupid car. Did I get the correct sensor? Stealership on to something w/ this re-program lottery machine?

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by rather_b_boatin

...The CEL came back on in 11 miles. Beating my head against the wall w/ this stupid car. Did I get the correct sensor? Stealership on to something w/ this re-program lottery machine?

"Beating my head against the wall w/ this stupid car. Did I get the correct sensor?" ...noo. Wrong lottery ticket. Be happy for the 11...

Swap the sensor back, try another one. (could also be low voltage or gnd problem). check: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/14
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/10

If systems produce sham error messages that thousands of users complain, typically the ponytails will patch their shoddy work with even worse shoddy work. These are called updates. Better still, they might do nothing but start to proclaim that "this is a feature". Maybe the stealeship has one or the other to offer in this case? dunno. Oh boy, feel bad for u. And want to hang on my oldie...