a few nights ago my car wouldnt turn on. first time its EVER done that and i was freakin out. had one of my friends "jump the car" and it started right up and the CEL came on and stayed on. i thought its probably just the battery or the alternator but i guess not. i just did the self diagnostic test and got code 0101 which is defined as.....

"You identified DTC 0101 as "upstream oxygen sensor heater or circuit fault." Please double-check this number. My book says DTC 0101 is caused by the Camshaft Position Sensor (Phase). This sensor is located on the engine front cover facing the camshaft sprocket. It detects the cylinder number signal. The Engine Control Module uses this signal to control spark plug firing order and also to sequence the fuel injectors correctly. If the CPS is bad the ECM will fire the plugs at the wrong time, or not fire them at all. This would account for a no-fire symptom."

now i have no clue what this means, so can someone please explain this is english? is it a major problem and that i would need to fix asap and not drive the car until its done? or is it a minor issuse? mild issuse? would you say its costly to do? would i be able to do it myself and what parts would i need? ANY KIND OF HELP OR INFO IS APPRECIATED! THANK YOU

 

First of all what book are you reading the codes from? My Haynes manuel gives both of those DTC's for code# 0101. If you have the Haynes manuel there is information on chapter 6 section 13 (6-13) that has instructions on how to test to see if the camshaft position sensor is bad. You need to check the resistance of the sensor with an Ohm meter.

Have you tried resetting the CEL & see if it comes back on when you start the car?
When you try to start the car does it fire up or not?

If it does run, then more then likely it's not the camshaft position sensor but it's the left bank 02 sensor causing the CEL to come on.

Let me know about these questions then I can attempt to help you get the problem fixed.

 

i dunno what book its from.....i got it from here http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=235667 .

yeah i reset the CEL and it does not come on anymore and the car fires up ever time. but it keeps giving me code 0101

 

If it's not coming on anymore how are you still getting code# 0101?

If your car starts up & you keep getting the code then it's your 02 sensor. It's the one closest to the front of the car. This is easy to fix & you can do it yourself. the sensor will cost you about $80 bucks or more though. I think there might be a group deal going on for the sensor.

 

well why wouldnt the car turn on because of an o2 sensor? yeah i probably do need to change the o2 sensor anyways cause i have a little bit over 100k miles and theyve never been changed before. i'll check my ecu again tomorrow night and see if i get 0101 again or any other codes.