If you get a CEL; my experience with other cars is that it is often (not always) an oxygen sensor issue. I haven't had this problem on my maxima yet but now I do. I haven't checked the code, but if it is indeed an O2 sensor, will the code tell you which one it is or do you just have to guess until you get the right one? I'm hoping to avoid replacing one that isn't the problem to avoid unnecessary expense. Any advice?

 

There are many reasons a Maxima can throw a code. O2 Sensors are not on the top of the list. Take your car to Autozone and have them pull the code. They do this free. Then look the code up in the stickies or a Haynes Manual. If it is indeed a O2 sensor then the code will tell you which one it is.

 

If you have the Hayes manual it tells you how to pull the code yourself and how to reset that damn light. I would do this first. Find out what code it is giving you. Doing that yourself. Reset the light. Sometimes if the elements are right the light will come on for nothing. Once it is reset if it comes back on then you know you have a problem. And no it doesn't tell you which o2 sensor it is. If I remember correctly when you look up the flashes it gives you in the Hayes manual it will only tell you if it is an upstream or a downstream o2 sensor. And I believe their is 2 of each not exactly positive on that though. Hope this helps.

 

The right DTC will tell you exactly which sensor (front or rear bank, primary or secondary sensor) it is that is tripping the CEL, as Dubbya already said.

 

Also why mess with turning little screws and figuring out the flashing code when a trip to Autozone will pull the code for FREE. Maybe Im just lazy that way?

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=104931

 

Also why mess with turning little screws and figuring out the flashing code when a trip to Autozone will pull the code for FREE. Maybe Im just lazy that way?




because it takes to minutes to do and its really easy to read the flashes

 

Yes but I have also seen many posts of people over turning or turning the screw in the wrong direction. Both of which are bad.

 

just invest in one of those pocket OBDII scanners...$50 shipped on ebay....

almost every car out on the road right now is OBDII...and the # will only continue to grow....i'm pretty damn sure the next car you buy will be OBDII....just invest in this small scan tool since you're going to be using it for the rest of your life anyway

 

Thanks to all for the help and the link to the codes. I'ts greatly appreciated.

 

Every car since 96+ WILL HAVE OBD2. some 94-95 have them as well. OBD2 will be phase out soon. Just like how we phase out OBD1 with the jumper pins and counting how many times the light flashes.

I just worked on a 2005 VW toureg. I put the VW scan tool on it and it told me the passenger side HID lamp has a intermittent short to ground. And that was exactly what the customer came in for. I don't know weither to call that OBD3 or what. But man i love that thing.


Oh as for reguards to CEL showing it. It only shows up if something is wrong with your emission system. More common stuff are, Cat problems, Mis-fires, 02 sensors. It won't be something like a coolant sensor wrong temp or anything like that. Strickly Emissions related.

 

So a knock sensor is emissions related? How about a Cam Shaft Position Sensor? Even coil packs? There are lots of things that can trigger a CEL. Its not just about emissions.

 

0115 i got on mine just today,looked up the code and tells me right bank running lean. and a second code 0304 knock sensor. i guess i got some money to spend