87 Maxima Computer and diagnostic codes..
 

Does anyone know where the computer is located on an 87 Maxima, and
and how to go about looking for and interpreting the diagnostic codes
??

Thanks...

I might know
 

I have the 1986 Maxima SE 5 speed, and its under the passenger seat. I had to remove mine today to look at it. I unbolted it, unpluged the wires and then pluged them back in with the computer out from the seat upside down. Then you will see a little hole with LED's in them 2 of them one green one red. The Nissan manual has good steps to check what means. If need help I will tell ya what to do. I hope this helps, the 87 and 86 cant be that different.

Re: I might know
 

Could you give me a few pointers on how to begin
checking the computer and codes for starters, or
perhaps a scenario of some sort...

thanks...

Simple, unbolt the seat its not hard. then there shoudl be a cover over your ecu. unscrew that from the body then there youll see the ecu. unscrew it from the body so you can see the side where the lights are. There should be a dial on there as well. Set the dial to mode 3 or mode 4 to check diagnostic codes. Youll turn the dial clockwise until it stops then the lights will start flashing in sequence blink once- mode 1, blink twice-mode 2, blink 3 times-mode 3, blink 4 times mode 4, blink 5 times mode 5. Right after it blinks to the mode you want it at either mode 3 or mode 4 turn the dial counter clockwise until it stops. After that it will blink codes at you in red light first, green light second sequence to let you know of the problem. After that search in your book to see what code it is and have the item checked or replaced. Oh and when doing the diagnosis make sure the car is at crrct temp. for the codes to go thrgh. Basically when doing this procedure make sure the key is in the on position not the car being on just in the on position, after its fully warm. After your figure out the code turn the key in the off position and any time when doing the diagnosis the ecu will automatically set its self back to mode 1 when the car is cranked up after doing the diagnosis. So there will be no need for a reset it automatically does it. And there you have it. Your diagnosis!! Have fun!!