ok sorry if this sounds like a stupid question but how do i check for codes on my 88 maxima. i know where the ecu is under the passanger seat but i dont know if i need to buy a code reader or not
if you have any ideas please let me know.
the reason i ask this is because my dads chrysler minivan has the ability to turn the key back and forth 4 times and then leave it on the 4th time and the chek engine light blinks to give codes. dont know if my maxima can do anything like that or not. also i noticed my car doesnt have a check engine light or service engine soon light. is there any lights that come on to alert the driver of a problem. thanks for any help,
matt

 

never mind i answered my own question i did some hard core research and found out how to check codes with the greeen lights sorry.
now however can someone tell me what the throttle valve switch does and what symptoms would be if it went bad. thanks

 

The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) moniter how much throttle your giving the motor. From that it allows the ECU to choose the proper fuel curve and timing map that would allow the motor to work the most efficient.

 

thanks for the quick reply while you were typing it i went outside to take a look at the sensor and it has a huge crack going down the side. i tapped it with my flashlight and the cover shattered in a million pieces. i guess i dont know my own strength . oh well i guess i get to find out the hard way if that was what was causing my hard starts.

 

does anyone know what takes the place of the check engine light if the car doesnt have one?

 

check engine lights were only on the california models and the 85-86 models I think. So pretty much there isnt a replacement for the non californian 87-88 maximas. Nissan gave it up to us to feel our own cars, lol. The only way is to check for codes.

 

85-86 didn't get a CEL light....they had a sensor light, but they got disconnected after 90k miles.

S

 

YeahI remember seeing the sensor light on the dash but didnt know it becomes useless after 90k

 

I don't think the TPS on our gen of Max has the sensor that
you're thinking of.

On our cars it is only a switch (I've taken one apart to see
what was inside).

It doesn't have the windings inside to be a potentiometer
like the newer style TPS.

Ours is nothing more than a switch to tell the car it's at idle
and for the automatic cars, when it's at WOT.

Scott

 

you have to unhook this yourself right?? Anyone know how to go about this? cause mine is still on from the last time and if I reset it now it goes off agian in 10,000.

 

Sarin may have to answer this one he has the 85-86 version of the 2nd gens. the 87-88s are different

 

yeah, at 90k, in the owners manual it says to unhook it. They even clearly tag it Sensor light. I believe it is indeed the same on the 87-88's as well.

S

 

where do you unhook it from tho?

 

it's a harness the just unclips. It's near the driver side kick panel near the main harness.

S