ANyone know why my service engine light went on?... i just installed the y-pipe recently and it seemed to be fine until 2nite when i was driving pretty heavy with it and then all of a sudden, the light goes on...anyone know how to check the error message without going to Nissan ?

 

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 the DTC readout for
yourself. Go to your public library and borrow a Chilton's or Haynes
manual for your vehicle. It contains detailed instructions and a table
which "translates" the numerical codes into words. No special tools are
required. 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/

 

got to: http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/max...aintenance.htm
the following is an exert from the page:
Q: I have a 95+ Maxima and my "Check Engine" light just came on. How do I diagnose the problem without going to the dealer?

A: The ECU is to the right of the accelerator pedal. There's a black cover in front of it held there by two plastic rivets. Just pull the cover off (the rivets won't break... they'll just come loose. You will be able to reinstall it afterwards... well at least I was able to..).

Once you have access to the ECU, you will notice a screw on its side. Turn the key to the "ON" position but without the engine running. Your check engine light is now on.

Turn the screw all the way to the right.

Wait at least two seconds.

[This is the hard part] While stretching your head to see the check engine light, turn the screw all the way back to the left. The check engine light will start blinking.

There will be a series of L..O..N..G.. blinks and a series of short blinks. This pair of series will be repeated.

You must count the number of long blinks and the number of short blinks. This is your code. (Long blinks == left two digits of 4 digit code. short blinks == right two digits of 4 digit code).

[For example, my check engine light came on and I did this procedure. It repeats the following pattern: 7 long blinks and seven short blinks. Which means code 0707. Which translates to "Rear O2 Sensor" when looking it up in the service manual.]

go to these links to check your code: http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/max_faq/engcodes2.gif
http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/max_faq/engcodes1.gif

 

I have done this several times and it is very easy to do, but if you get stuck just post again and we will help you. The blinks will repeat until you reset your ECU so don't worry if you don't get them the first time they go past. Also, if you have an Autozone where you live then they will most likely do it for free, at least mine does. However it is a good thing to learn how to do if you are going to continue with modding your car. Hope this helps.

 

thanks alot guys...i think i'll let one of my mechanic friends use his ECU reader thingy to check it out first...hope its something minor...is it true dat it might light up because my mileage is reaching the 60K mark?

 

Your engine light is very sensitive and it could just need to be reset without any repairs. Mine went off once when I did not screw my fuel cap on tightly enough, so it just depends....... What year car do you have anyway???

 

No.

 

thanks again guys...its a 97 SE...love it...