When posting a technical question please provide the model year of your Maxima, the odometer reading, mods (if any), and recent repair history. A detailed report of symptoms would be helpful.

 

95 maxima se
72,000 miles
stillen high flow intake
recent accidents- some intrepid hit my front right bumper and shifted everything to the left. but the engine check light was on before that. also we replaced the muffler and catalyc converter but the light was on before that also. so any ideas?????? thanks

 

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.

If you like to do your own "wrenching" you can do the DTC readout for yourself. No special tools are required. Read the Sticky ECU Diagnostic Trouble Codes. It contains pointers to instructions for doing the DTC readout and an explanation for some of the codes.

When you know the stored DTCs, you will have a fair idea of what repairs are needed.

 

what kind of person would know how to do one of these tests?

 

You, after you read the instructions at http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/ecu.html

 

alright i got it done and the codes were
0503 and 0304 which were front right heated o2 sensor and the knock sensor do you think i should replace those or are they even important? and where would i get them replaced if i do? thanks for all the help though

 

Oxygen Sensors are a vital element in the engine management system. I suggest you replace the Oxygen Sensor and reset the Engine Control Module. This one repair may clear both Codes.