Hi,

I just did my speed and knock sensor this past Monday... This morning my engine light came on again and I took it into my mechanic.

He did a scan and the scanner noted that it was a problem with the transmission control module (TCM).. Gave the error code P0600 .. It said something about a the possibility of a short circuit.. problem with a loose wire..

I'm not a mechanic so I am not entirely sure what that meant, but he said I have to take my car in and have him check around..

I remember when he was replacing the knock sensor, it was a real task to get into that spot in the middle of the engine block to remove and replace the part.. another mechanic with a small hand had to do it..

Anyone ever had a similar experience?

I've already dropped $450 last week and I figure I can only guess what this could be..

Cheers,


/Drakes..

 

What year is your Maxima? Is it automatic, or manual?

If you have changed (vehicle) speed sensor and still has the P0600 code, chances are that the problem may not have been the VSS per se. P0600 can come with the VSS code (P0500). Read stickies and pull the code yourself first to make sure P0600 (0504) is the only code you have. If you still have another code P0500 (0104) in addition to P0600 (0504), and your speedometer or cruise control seems to work fine, it's possible that there was nothing wrong with the VSS. At least that's what happened to me. I actually (and finally) fixed the problem recently.

 

He's talking about the TCM...it should be obvious.

 

The model is a 97.. and it is an automatic...

Thoughts?

/D

 

Get the code. If you still have P0500, at least the problem is not VSS. I don't know what I did (pull the instrument cluster and re-tighten screws) would work but it doesn't cost you anything....

 

I had a transmission shop put in a new tranny for me once and they had run a wire and got it pinched in a screw in the install.. it shorted out sometime later and screwed up my TCM. Needless to say the tranny was shot sometime after.. so if there is a problem with the TCM it will mess up your tranny very quickly.

 

I have the same exact problem. My check engine light is on and I got the codes. It gave me the following: Speed Sensor, Knock Sensor and Automatic Transmission Control Unit. My cruise control is not working properly. Sometimes shuts down on me. Should I try changing the Speed Sensor FIRST????

 

Yes. Just like I said in the other thread you started, the VSS code may come with the TCM code and there is a possibility that once you replace the VSS the TCM code will be gone. If you want to make sure that there is nothing wrong with the TCM, and your O/D light blinks when you start the engine sometimes, perform self diagnostic. It is in one of the stickies in this forum. If the result has something to do with a revolution sensor, I think the VSS is the culprit.

If you want to replace a knock sensor first, that's fine. A knock sensor is much more expensive than a VSS though. Since your cruise control is not working properly, I don't think you can make your VSS code gone by replacing a knock sensor. Is your speedometer working? If I were you I would replace a VSS first.

 

I'm now getting this problem with my 96 Maxima Auto (93K), and I went to AutoZone (very nice people), and they have the VSS for $150. But being an ORG enthusiast, I knew not to bite so quick. I did however pickup the Haynes Manual for $15.
Anyway, I'm getting this problem along with the Automatic Transmission Communication Line problem (P0600), but my RPM Meter is jumping around like Jumpin' Jack Flash when I accelerate. So what's the Nissan EM Part # for the VSS, I did get the AutoZone part # but I searched that and nothing came up (probably useless outside Az, duh?) and ofcourse i'll first try what someone recommended here, to pull the instrument cluster and retighten screws (assuming I can find it). And is there a Part # Guide for 4th Gens, did a Search and nothing good came up?