I've been hoping to find a scanner tool that will work with the Maxima, so to make diagnosing problems easier than going through the manual code reading process.

Apparently NISSAN has the CONSULT tool, which runs about $6500.

I've called Parts America and have been told that there is no aftermarket tool available that can scan/clear codes on the Maxima.

Is anyone familiar with this and have any options to suggest?

 

You can go snap on for about 5000. 3500 used.
Or go gensys for about 2500 new. Those will work for the max.

 

I was hoping to get something for $100 or less. Am I totally off base here??

 

you can try one of those code readers from kraegen,or checkers or autozone. They cost about that. I don't know how good they work. But you get what you pay for.

 

all the stuff ive seen at autozone is for OBDII and will not work on our maxs

 

FAQs are free.

 

Nprobe will work on the VE and do everything that CONSULT does for $500.

 

There are a bunch of OBD1 code readers at Autozone, Schucks, etc. I have one downstairs. They work fine.



Jon

 

about a year ago I saw someone posted here a DIY interface for the maxima using your laptop and a third party program. He also included the schematics for it, and as the thread goes, they were estimating it like around $30-35 (me thinks).

maybe you can find it and resurrect that thread.

 

?????????

Hard to clearly read your intentions...but I'm

I've gone through all the stickies in this forum, as well as search the FAQ section for all the forums. I see references for the scan codes and what they mean, but nothing referring to a recommendation for an inexpensive DIY scan tool to use.

In trying to do a manual check the other night following the procedure outlined in the FSM, I determined that either a) my O2 sensor is not functioning or b) I'm a and can't figure out how to read and follow instructions. Since my car is in essence running okay (getting great gas mileage I might add) and passes emissions tests, I almost have to rule out (a) above. So, to double check my manual efforts I'm trying to find something that can be plugged in and facilitate the code reading/diagnostic/clear process.

All the "legitimate" options suggested here seem to be very $$$ and certainly not worth it for a DIY guy like myself - spending more for a tool than what the car is literally worth . Instead of running around to all the parts stores to find if an inexpensive scanner exists, I figured I'd run it by the people here...

If I've missed something in the FAQ's, then I guess I would appreciate some help finding it. I've followed this forum now for nearly 3 months and have never seen this question come up before - as opposed to lots of other questions that even I have seen a dozen times now and I know get frustrating for the more experienced members on this forum.


Thanks!

 

Thanks, Jon. Do you have a brand name/model # recommendation?

 

I found one of these on the net also, but it was for the 350Z. I'll see what I can find in searching past posts...

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=311138

What the codes are and how to obtain them.

 

Been there, done that! Got the FSM and the Haynes...

I was just looking for a tool so I didn't have to use that procedure, that's all...

Thanks!

 

afaik. Most of these code readers do just that. Nothing more. Other than finding that consult hack software, you will have to ask the dealer to run your car on the their Consult. Cost is about $70

 

yeah, that was spipedong90 or something like that but he was never able to fully get it working though
I used the same schematics and software and tried it out, but no luck. I'm very confident in the hardware part of it. I was gonna try to mess around with it some more in hyperterminal since I found some info about interfacing the Nissan ECU but didn't have much luck with that and kinda gave up on it.

 

I have an Equus for my Ford vehicles. It works fine--it is on the cheaper end of the scale, no readout or anything flashy. If I were you, I would spend the extra few bucks for a scanner with a digital readout, so you don't have to count beeps. I'm sorry, I don't have a model number for you.


Jon

 

Yeah that was me. I did the DIY interface, never quite got it working, but it was close. In fact, it worked perfectly for about 30 minutes, but stopped when I jostled it. I was going to build an etched board and experiment more, but I wrecked the car before that came about. For some reason I can't dig up the thread but of anyone finds it, feel free to post it here.

 

is their any program from adobe that i can use.i have a program for my dsm and its great.also how much for the program