If your reverse lights are coming on the switch is doing its job as far as i'm concerned. Maybe i'll make better sense of it after i get some sleep.

 

sleep make sense at this time... Have a good night. Thanks.

 

OK, so I'm no help. I don't know much about modified Maximas, since everything I work on is stock. But I can tell yout this - the park/neutral switch code you are getting does indeed refer to the switch in the transmission. I was confused the first time I encountered that code myself. Seems that Nissan does not give a seperate code for autos and manuals, just the same one you are getting. I don't know how you would get rid of it unless you wire in the switch to your existing harness somehow. The ECU must have this signal to operate correctly. You see, it does more than provide the connection for the reverse lamps. It also tells the ECU when the trans is in NEUTRAL for ignition and fuel delivery decisions, and to kick out the cruise control should you place the trans in neutral while driving WITHOUT pressing down the clutch pedal.

That said, I don't think you would have to actually do that to generate the code, because the ECU is constantly monitoring the car's functions and would see the error during normal operation. If you ever shift to neutral and the ECU just happens to require this signal, it would not be present.

 

Thanks for backing me up on this. I am not cut and paste literate, but I have worked on a lot of Nissans.

 

Sorry to hijack, but my problem is somewhat relevant. I have a thread posted in the 5th gen. on this same subject, but maybe someone over here can help out. I have a stock 2000 SE 5-speed and I am also getting this code. I have checked and my back-up lights do come on when in reverse, so the ecu is getting it's signal. The cel will come on for a day or two and then go off for a while. It seems like something may be loose or on the verge of going bad, but I don't know what to replace. The black wire for that switch is on the driver's side of the tranny held in by one small bolt....correct? Is this the same thing that most people recommend removing when draining the tranny fluid? Just making sure I have the right switch. Anyone know what could make the cel come on and then go out by itself or what I should replace? Thanks

 

Yes, that is the switch in question. There are two sets of contacts in there, one for neutral and one for reverse. Perhaps you are only having a problem with the neutral set. If you remove and examine it, you will see that it is a rather flimsy design. Why in the world the designers decided to immerse the entire assembly in hot gear oil is puzzling. I've seen plenty other Nissan manual trans that do not use this type of switch, but they were RWD.

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess this will give me an excuse to change the tranny fluid to amsoil if this problem persists.

 

Thanks for the reply, and sorry for the miscommunication. What do you recommend? Change that switch? And see what will happen?

 

Not a problem, we just want you to get that CEL out. So yes, pop for the new switch at the dealer. Mine usually keeps them in stock, so that says a lot right there. The switch has two parts, the large round outside part and another smaller part inside the trans. They come as a set with a single part number.

Your going to lose all your fluid when you take the old switch out, but catch it in a clean container and it can be reused.

 

Thanks. i will get that replaced.