I just bought a 98 Maxima GXE with 25k miles and manual transmition last week and it was running fine. Then, I noticed that the service engine light was on. I was surfing through the net and landed a helpful tip: to disconnect the battery cable for 45 minutes or so..... I did that and it solved the problem. Then, the service engine light came on again. Any suggestion would be helpful! Thanks.

 

On most cars there is a button somewhere that turns it off. All that sensor is is a light that comes on after a certain amount of miles, letting the owner know it should be serviced soon.

 

The Check Engine Light is evidence that something is wrong. That
"something" may be any number of things, some major and some minor. It
might be nothing more than a loose fuel filler cap. The Engine Control
Module (the computer) detected a problem and turned on the Check Engine
Light. At the same time it stored one or more Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
Get someone to do a DTC readout for you. This is not a big deal, does not
require specialized "dealer only" test equipment, and should take less than
an hour. When you know the stored DTCs, you will have a fair idea of what
repairs are needed.

If you like to do your own "wrenching" you can do a DTC readout for
yourself. Get a Chilton's or Haynes manual for your vehicle. You can get
these in any major bookstore (Barnes & Noble, BookStar, Borders), auto parts
stores, or possibly borrow one from your public library. The book contains
detailed instructions for doing the readout and a table which "translates"
the numeric codes into words. Doing the readout requires no tools more
sophisticated than a screwdriver. You will also find instructions to do a
DTC readout and reset the Check Engine light at Steve Cutchen's excellent
MaxFAQs page:
http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/max_faq/

 

Lets face it you bought a lemon, j/k well maybe

 

That second part is not true. The check engine light is an integral part of the engine managment system. It only comes on when there is a problem. But, go to the site listed above (http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/max_faq/) and retrieve the code for yourself to see what is causing the light. I went to the dealer and they had to charge me a whole hour's labor to check it to tell me it was a faulty O2 sensor which I then changed myself. One of those "If I knew then what I know now..." kind of things.

 

Not really. I think the check engine light is the main fault with Maximas, well Gen 4s in general. It's not a major one, like Firestones losing tread or something ;-)

I had trouble with my light too. Learning more about it I realized that most check engine issues are just emissions related none critical stuff. O2 sensor failure, no biggie, just replace it. Feul vapor leak, fix the leak.

There is a mode of the check engine light that comes on when there's serious trouble, tho, the light comes on and blinks. But, by that time, you've probaly noticed because your engine will probably be shuddering or smoking or something disastorous.

DW

 

i think it still has warranty. new & low miles..

 

Well I just bought my maxima and the light was on, then a few days of driving and it went away. Pretty weird anyone else have it come on and then off again?


Rob
Sin City

 

Your car should still be under warranty. I have a 95 GXE, just last month the "Check Engine" light came on. Took it to the dealer, and they replaced all of the oxygen sensors at no charge--there was a recall on those things.

 

The code is 0903 - Vent Control Valve.

I've got that now, but it's not affecting the performance or fuel economy. According to the FSM, it's for testing purposes only.

 

No, this is entirely normal. The Engine Control Module makes a variety of tests and turns on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp when a problem is detected. The same computer logic will turn off the light if the problem goes away.