Hey guys. I've noticed that since I had my Y-Pipe put on 3 days ago the check engine light has come on. It didn't come on right away after the Y-Pipe was on, but rather after a few miles of driving. The car runs fine, nothing seems to be wrong.

So I decided to reset the ECU by unplugging the battery. I unplugged the negative lead from the battery for about 5 minutes and put it back on. The check engine light still came on. So I decide to unplug the battery overnight hoping that it might do something. Next morning I reconnect it and start the car. It seemed to work. The check engine light was off! But alas, I drove it for a couple more miles and it came back on.

So now I'm thinking that the mechanic might have not been careful with the O2 sensor, maybe he threw the old pipe on the ground with the O2 sensor in it and messed it up? Who knows. Would the car still run normal with a broken O2 sensor?

I did some searching and found that there are a few threads involving the Y-Pipe causing the check engine light to come on. Unfortunately none of those threads seem to address the problem. Everyone just says to reset the ECU. Someone even replaced the O2 sensor and the check engine light still came on? Like in this thread: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....gine+warpspeed

So what do you guys think? Should I buy a new O2 sensor? Are they easy to replace? Something I could do myself? Most importantly though do you think it would fix my problem?

And does unplugging the battery really reset the ECU or do I have to do that thing where you turn a screw on the ECU, etc...

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it!

 

I think you should run the ecu code and find out what specific code it is.

 

How much does that cost?

 

About $10,000




or free if you look around

 

10k wtf I might as well buy a new car!!!





Oh wait there's fine print

 

I know on my Z on the passenger side you can lift up the carpet and there is a board there. Unscrew it lift it out and there is the ecu. There is a screw on the side of it and you turn it clockwise then counterclockwise, then the check engine light will blink a number of times giving you the diagnostic code telling you what is wrong with the car. Not sure if you can do the same for the maxima don't see why not haven't tried. Also if there is an Autozone near you they will test it for free!!!!!!

 

that is how you do it but the ecu is in the dash right behind the radio you have to remove the passinger access panel 2 srews and there it is then follow the instructions above and you have to have the key on in the run position to pull the code you could also search and find more info on it

 

Click on this link here and it'll give you a better idea or you can still check out autozone

Here it is http://www.ttzd.com/tech/diagnostictech.html

 

I guess my ECU is on the other side....

 

ecu is behind radio on floor as other poster said it can be accessed from passenger side.

 

Also, I don't beleive autozone will check the codes for you. At least the autozone that I went to wouldn't, they said that their computers only wnet back to 95.

 

they'll check only ODB-II cars, as far as I know.


on a 3rd gen, the ECU screw (or whatever you want to call it) is on the DRIVER'S side. remove the panel just beside the gas pedal and go to town.
look in the FAQs for a link to the chilton's manual, and it will tell you how to do this stuff in there.

Also, might want to try jacking up the car and make sure the sensor is actually plugged in.

 

I've always accessed my ecu, from the passenger side not the driverside next to the pedal. Am I looking at the wrong thing. It always gives me the codes I need.


Also, Matt when did you get new wheels????

 

Hmmm... maybe I'm messed up in the head.. I've actually never looked on my VE, but my Altima is on the driver's side... hmmm.. come to think of it, I think my VG was on the right side too.

okay, I'll shaddup now.

Got the new wheels last week, but I'm not using them yet... just put 'em on for the pic and put 'em in the attic until I have enough money to tell Kelly that I can afford them.

 

ok stupid question:
who's kelly?

 

Kelly is his wife.


And you didn't tell her that you bought them????

I guess next time I see you, you will look like this

 

Ahhh the joys of being married.

 

well, considering my current wheels (and all three sets in storage) are bent and my tires are completely bald in the back, it's time to buy some new rims.
I'm tired of buying used ones and being told they're not bent, then finding out otherwise after I pay $100 to ship them. f*** that. I'm buying new ones so I KNOW they're straight.

Problem is I'm still unemployed and don't need to be spending money on new wheels.... but these were at a price I couldn't refuse, so I bought 'em.

 

What kind are they???

Oh, and how did the interview go in OKC??

 

I'm not telling.

interview went well. I was supposed to know by yesterday on it, but the guy's been really busy and hasn't returned my phone calls. called again this morning and still no answer, so I'm going to wait till thursday before I call again.

 

If you want the job I hope you get it
If not then