01 Pathfinder P420 P430 SES code

[butchokoy]

i went to the dealer last oct.2004 and the service advisor told me
that i need a new catalytic converter both sides at $990.90 cdn. each
+ tax. my pathfinder has 152,400 km and still runs good.the ses light
has been on for a year. i mention about resetting my computer which
they refused.
is the only way resetting my ecm is thru a dealer? Pls. i need help.
and thanks for any opinion is greatly appreciated.

[DRYGSXR]

Originally Posted by butchokoy

i went to the dealer last oct.2004 and the service advisor told me
that i need a new catalytic converter both sides at $990.90 cdn. each
+ tax. my pathfinder has 152,400 km and still runs good.the ses light
has been on for a year. i mention about resetting my computer which
they refused.
is the only way resetting my ecm is thru a dealer? Pls. i need help.
and thanks for any opinion is greatly appreciated.

My 01 Pathfinder had the service engine light on for quite some time as well. I never brought it in to the dealership though. Instead I bought a OBD II computer reader at Walmart for $100.00 and got the error codes myself (you can find the readers on Ebay as well). I figured that Nissan would have charged me a hundred bucks to read the codes. Another option would be to go to Autozone (if you have one by you) and have them read the codes (I just did not want to be driving back and fourth to Autozone every five minutes to have them give me a code). Another benifit of that OBD II is that you can reset the SES light. If there is a real problem the light will come on again quickly. I don't trust the dealerships at all. It would seem to me that having two catalytic converters go bad at the same time would be unusual. I'm inclined to believe that when you or anyone else for that matter goes to the dealership with a SES light on they see dollar signs. If either of my suggestions above don't work for you I would try taking the truck to another garage and get a second opinion (can't hurt). Good luck and make sure you post how you made out.

[clintryplug]

In addition, the guys at an auto parts store like Autozone or Advance will usually reset your SES light for you after running the codes if you ask them too. The auto parts stores will do all of this for free (at least they do where I live).

[lewisnc100]

Clearing the codes does not buy you anything, any codes will clear themselves after 3 drive cycles are completed with no malfunction. You've had the P0420/P0430 error codes for a year so they are obviously a problem.

Other things to check for these errors:

- Visually check the exhaust tubes and muffler for dents
- With the engine idling listen for an exhaust leak before the catalytic converter
- With the engine idling listen for an intake air leak after the MAF
- Injectors or injector leak