Okay this is a long story. In April my check engine light came on and gave off code 0309-Evap canister vent control valve. Well I took it to the shop and had them replace the valve. Six days later the check engine light comes on again, with same code. I took it to Nissan this time, they run a check and said its some loose wire that needs to be sautered back together. They sauter it and as soon as I get home from Nissan, the check engine light with same code 0309 came on. So I take it back to Nissan where they then tell me my ecu has gone bad and it's gonna cost me for the computer alone 750.00. They also tell me that not getting that put in right away wont hurt my car any. So I sit on it till the end of last month (aug) reason being I have to have my car registered and smogged by mid Sept. I take it to this shop recommended to me by my work, to get a second opinion. They also tell me after running numerous tests and going over the notes that nissan had on my car it was my ecu and also recommended me to change the evap canister, just to cover all aspects. So I tell them go ahead. So yesterday they put the new computer in and they said everything checked out fine and the code reset. I go to pick it up this afternoon at lunch and as they were pulling my car out of the garage this morning the good ol check engine light with same code came on again. So now they are saying that it never was the ecu it's the evap valve itself. Because I guess after my 1996 Max was made they modified the evap canister, so when I had the valve replaced the first time, the valve is made for the new canister and not the old canister which is attached to my car. Now the shop is telling me they cant find a valve for either the new or old canister. Because the old canister is no longer in use and they cant give a reason why no one carries the new valve. They think that if they get the new valve to fit the new canister and install the new canister that all will be fixed and I'll get my old ecm back in the car and save alot of money. But I want opinions..because all along I was saying it wasnt my ecm and I was right but for some reason I fell it could be electrical? But the mechanic is saying that it would be impossible because something to do with the wire harness...What do you guys think?

 

I had something like that too. Ended up being that the 2 hoses that go into the solenoid were reversed. Anyway, if you need an ECU go to http://car-part.com/ and get one. Make sure you get the right trans and year.

 

No I did have a new ecu put in and with the new ecu it still was giving off the evap canister vent control valve code. So they ruled out it isnt the computer. The computer came from Nissan too. But now there saying its the valve that connects to the evap canister. That it doesnt match up with my old canister because Nissan remodified the evap canister after my year. But if this doesnt fix it then I was wondering if it could be electrical?

 

14935 54u05 Vacuum Control Valve- 1996-1998
14950 56u17 Vapor Canister, Maxima, All to 4/1997 OR
14950 56u18 Vapor Canister, Maxima, After 4/97

Depends on VIN

 

Okay its not the evap canister , there saying its the valve to the evap canister....They said when I first had the valve replaced it didnt match my old canister, because nissan remodified the canister after 96...so the valve the other shop put on was to the new canister and the hole fitting is smaller then the old canister which I have. There saying its letting air in because it doesnt fit and theres not sucktion. I just talked to them last night and they installed the correct valve and now they have to run the car for a while to reset the computer. But after doing this and it still brings the check engine light on, then what? I installed a new computer valve, had my car checked by 3 diffrent shops including nissan who said it was my ecm...but wasnt? I dont know what to do should I think then its electrical? Would electrical just throw off 1 code all the time?

 

How did they get the old valve? It went out of production years ago...

Can you get me a part # on it- I have the same problem, which is why I know what I know. But I have to replace the valve and the tank/canister to have it match up...

 

There's a recall for this problem. I have the same problem what you guys just mention.
I have a 96 maxima. Take your car to the dealer and tell them there was a recall

 

I tried that. P8132 MAX MIL LIGHT - TSB NTB98-073

They would not do it for mine...

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=recall

 

I dont know if they got the old valve..I know they were gonna put a new evap canister on but didnt because I think they said the valve didnt fit but Nissan told them that was the right canister and valve so they just didnt install the canister, because they thought it was my computer. Now that they installed the computer and it didnt fix the problem they now think it is the valve. I dont know but when I go down to pick my car up today I will ask them for the valve part number, I know it took them one hell of a time to find the part number and part. They been working with the local Nissan dealership on this so I think he told me Nissan finally found the valve and part # for it. I will keep you posted on what happens

 

Well, I called a few dealerships, just to check my parts before I order them, and I was told for sure (all 3 times) that I need the parts that end in "05" and "17" to be compatible.

 

I have the same problem, and have been ignoring it for awhile... I finally got the evap control valve, but have not put it in yet. I got it from jerry rome nissan, and the part number is 149303M201 . phenryiv, if you need a pic to determine which one you need let me know. (since you are having trouble figuring out which one it is since you have an I30??? i forgot...)

 

That valve is not that hard to put in. Mine went bad and I replaced it in about 30 min

 

yeah, doesnt look very difficult... i just hope i have the right part.

 

Okay well now the mechanics said after replacing the valve that my car was fixed...but they tried to tell me that he suggest me keeping the new computer because it could have been part of the problem. Ya right if he put the new one in and it still was giving off the same code and he told me looks like it wasnt the computer then why keep it? So they wont be stuck with a expensive computer. I told him I wanted my old computer in the car and he got all mad and told me he was putting every old part back on my car and to go to Nissan. I should have went back to them in the first place then to this shysty guy! I'll tell you what Nissan says

 

Well the mechanic I took it too tried to stick me with a new ecm when after putting it in, it didnt clear the code for the evap canister vent control valve. So he took it out and sent me on my way. He told me it could be the valve to my evap canister because like I said before it didnt match my old canister. But he got so mad I didnt want the new ecm, he refused to put the valve on and sent me away. Now I go back to Nissan tommorrow and if they replace the valve with the correct one and it still doesnt clear the code then what? Should I then think its electrical? and if it is what could be causing my check engine light to give off false code and stay on all the time?

 

That is a good question. If it is not the valve, I would suspect a connection or electrical fault somewhere, btu it could be a lot of gremlins causing it. That is the really BAD thing about the EVAP codes- they are "jackpot" codes...

 

So no one else on here has had a problem with there evap system and there check engine light constantly staying on..Even after replacing a ecm?

 

i had the problem similar to that and nissan fixed it free of charge because it was a call back

 

whats a call back.. lol.. do you mean recall..