2000 ecu upgrade from dealer

[emaxima]

The folks at the nissan shop told me that I needed to get some new codes for my ecu. I recently replace my o2 sensor and was wondering if there are such things as new codes that need to be dowloaded into the ecu, as told to me by the mechanic. Are they pulling my leg?

[un4gvnbb]

it is possible... but highly unlikely, unless they changed the type or specs on the o2 sensor. its pretty damn hard to reprogram an ecu (car's computer). usually you have to get a new one, unless the pathways are pretty much the same. let me explain.

ecu's arent like computers where you can write a program and install it. its more like the processor where its hardware. it's called P.R.O.M.
or programable read only memory. think of it as a bunch of fuses that are originally all whole (not blown). in computer languages everything operates on 0's and 1's (0 = off and 1 = on) a blown fuses represents a 0 and a whole fuse represents a 1. so in this way it is possible to "program" hardware. but you can't put fuses back together. which brings me back to reprogramming you car's computer.

if all those fuses are blown, making a permenent "pathway" or program, then for them to "reprogram" it, every blown fuse for the new o2 sensor would have to be the same except for the ones they now, to give it a different output, have to blow.:bathroom:

thats why i say its possible but very unlikely.

i'd get a second opinion and see if the replacement o2 sensor is the same one as the old one.

[bk2kmax]

The folks at Nissan need to have their heads examined, first off I don't know of anyone including your local Nissan dealers who have that access to reprogram the ECU's data on the 2k and above engine, I don't believe Nissan has released that info yet and I don't forsee them releasing it until at least after one or two things happen first.

First, Nissan will probably wait until after 04 Model goes on sale, otherwise you are going to have Max and Altima 2k thru 2k3 models going in for a reprogramed ECU which will either make their Max's or Altima's faster or the same as the Z. I know that will keep people from buying the Z and it will also keep people from trading up for an 04 Max assuming it will have the same 3.5 slightly upgraded on power as the current Z. I believe the point in Nissan is to be able to sell its' newer models and hope that current owners such as us on the forum will trade up for more power, room and refinement in the Next Gen Max.

Second point is that who would want to buy a new Max if all you have to do is go to the dealer and have them reprogram your ECU and bam you got more power or equal power to the new Z.

Now, I'm not saying that the next Gen Max will have a 3.5 but if it does, I won't trade up as I'm sure most members on this forum won't either.
The next Gen Max better come with a V8 of at least 4.0 cylinders (320 plus HP) otherwise what would be the point of buying a smaller engine or same as the current size (even though the 8 in itself would be bigger) I just can't possibly seeing Nissan release it's ECU codes until the 04 is die casted as a hot selling V8 rear or all wheel drive car.

[NJMAXSELTD]

Yes they can change the parameters in the ECU's program. There is a TSB regarding that. If you log onto Maxima.org and search for the Technical Service Bullitans you'll find the one regarding the ECU changes. The change is for the threshold for the o2 sensors that monitor the cat. If you have an early build 2K, the threshold for the rear cat is to close and causes the CEL light to come on when there's really nothing wrong. There are also changes for the fuel cut off that should be updated in your cars ECU as well. (I think that was for 5 speeds thou.)

Updates to cars ECU's are released all the time. Some cars need them, while others don't. If Nissan is recommending you to update your ECU's program, that means they know your version has available updates. This should be covered under warranty if it's related to the emissions. By law, the emissions control system is warrantied for 5 years. Talk to your service rep and ask him if your covered.

[bk2kmax]

Originally posted by emaxima
The folks at the nissan shop told me that I needed to get some new codes for my ecu. I recently replace my o2 sensor and was wondering if there are such things as new codes that need to be dowloaded into the ecu, as told to me by the mechanic. Are they pulling my leg?

I should've asked this before I first replied, but were you asking in the way of power boosting or just for the TSB corrections to the malfunctions that NJMax was referring to?

It makes a difference to us, as far as power boosting, no the ECU program TSB isn't for you to get any gains, but for TSB corrections to the common malfunctions of your car, yes there are some ECU changes, I wouldn't call them upgrades in reference to power gains but definitely upgrades to correct those common malfunctions.