Just confirming this that there are only three sensors. I believe that the two front (upstream) are bank 1 sensor 1 and bank 2 sensor 1 and that the rear (downstream) is bank 1 sensor 2, correct?

 

Depends... are you fed spec or cali spec emissions?

Fed spec = 3 O2 sensors
Cali spec = 4 O2 sensors (2 downstream after each precat)

 

It's a fed spec. I asked the parts department at the dealer on Friday for a Bank 1 Sensor 2 and he gave me something for the upstream. I went in today (after taking it off friday night and realizing the problem) and he said it was my fault, because a bank 1 sensor 2 doesn't exist on this maxima and the original parts guy must have thought that I was talking about an upstream - according to the guy today bank 1 sensor 2 doesn't exist on a 2000 max because the downstream is just the "rear", but I think it's actually bank 1 sensor 2 for cripe's sake! The code scanner said bank 1 sensor 2 and the codes 138 and 139 are both downstream, so I know that I got the right sensor, down by the cat...

 

Try this PDF link. It has emission setups, sensor ID's and part numbers.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/TSBScans/sb628202.pdf

 

Thanks - that almost indicates that as opposed to this being an O2 problem it may just be an ECM problem, although the printout does say to change the O2 as well. I suppose that Nissan would charge me how much to update the ECM...? I have remaining powertrain, but I'm at 39k and out of the full warranty.

 

Technically, reprogramming/updating an ECM to prevent an incident from reocurring would be covered under the 8yr/80k mi Fed Emissions warranty. In other words, if you had paid the dealer to replace the O2 sensor(s), he couldn't bill you seperately for reprogramming, if that's possible.

If you're certain the TSB applies, have the right DTC codes and replaced the appropriate sensor(s), you could explain the situation to the service writer. Ask for a complimentary update. Bring a copy of the TSB in case he questions your source and methods. The worst that can happen is you'll pay for an hour of labor. At least you'll have the latest ECM data installed and avoid the other ECM related incidents.

 

Well I did replace it myself but it's worth asking him if he'll do a complimentary ECM update. I don't know for sure one was never done (only bought car 2k miles ago)...I will ask and if he charges I guess I'll not bother unless the light comes on again at which point I would!

 

I also bought a used 2k from a dealer. When I had an update done this summer to correct a different problem, it still had the original data per the service tech. I don't expect a dealer would invest that time looking for trouble. Good luck.

 

I'm confused about the o2 sensors. My dealer told me there were 3 sensors "down the line" in my 2000 and he replaced the 1st one after the check engine light kept coming on. Now the light went on again and he said this time it is the "main" o2 sensor and needs to reprogram the car which will take an overnight stay. Is this something (reprogram)that should have been done after the first o2 sensor went?

 

It depends what he means. If he means "Clear the codes" it's something they should have done - but they did - since when you got it back the first time the light was off. If he meant "reprogram" as in update the code on the computer yes, according to that .pdf linked above, he should have done it the first time.

 

After returning from my latest o2 sensor replacement, I left confused and frustrated. When they initially told me that this 2nd o2 needed replacing, they had said it was the front. When I went to pick up the car after the service, the dealer said it was the 'other rear' one and it happened to be the one that causes it to need reprogramming. On my bill,it doesn't say which bank was bad just that they replaced another o2 (22690-2Y921 heated oxygen)and reprogrammed the ECU. When I questioned them about the first o2 sensor replaced (4500 miles ago), they said that it was the B1 (226A0-4L713 heated oxygen) sensor and didn't need reprogramming. The question: Do they have to reprogram after each o2 or just certain ones? Also, when I asked about the Calif/fed Emmissions warrenty, the dealer said it only applied to the 'front o2'. Is this true?

 

OK based on the link above ALL 2001 Maximas are California spec. A 2000 Maxima is EITHER Cali OR Fed. Lift up the hood and the label underneath will tell you what it is. If no mention of Cali then it's a fed. If you have a 2000 you can also look underneath the car - look at that diagram of the .pdf file - if you are on the left side of the car between the muffle and cat you can see an O2 sensor; that confirms it's a fed spec.

If it's a cali it has 4 O2 sensors. If it's a Fed it has 3.

Both the Cali and Fed specs have TWO front O2 sensors. These are specifically Bank 1 Sensor 1 and Bank 2 Sensor 1. The Cali spec has two rear sensors: Bank 1 Sensor 2 and Bank 2 Sensor 2. The Fed spec has only one rear sensor: Bank 1 Sensor 2.

According to that link a reprogram is needed if EITHER of the REAR O2 sensors go (either of the two on the cali, or just the one on the fed).

In regards to warranty I have spoken to Nissan head office and a dealer and both said that the O2 sensors are only covered under the 3 year/36k. It seems that SOME people may have gotten lucky with this, but for me it didn't seem covered.

I know it's a hassel, but what you can do in the future when the light goes on is go to an autozone that checks codes for free. The two in my area do it for free. One of them was too stupid (wrong code reader) to do it and he said that the OBD-II socket under my dash was probably bad. I took it to another autozone and they read fine (because they had the nice $150 scanner). This is exactly how I diagnozed my specific error codes (P0138 and P0139 rear O2 sensor: bank 1 sensor 2 - mine is a fed spec BTW). This way you'll know EXACTLY what O2 sensor went bad in the future. I'm sure that you could ask your dealer though exactly which sensor went wrong. Was it B1S1 or B1S2 or B2S1 or B2S2 (if cali).

Unfortunately I didn't get the ECU reprogrammed. I'm going to call Nissan now and see what they'll charge or if they'll do it for free (yeah goodluck hehe).

EDIT: Just called Nissan - they want $65 to reprogram the thing. I'm sure that will take them all of about 4 minutes. I think I'll wait until the engine light pops back on (if it does - hopefully this new O2 sensor I put on the weekend will prevent that).

 

I browsed through all of the above comments because I too have an o2 sensor problem. My question is if Nissan knows/realizes there is a problem why wont they simply fix it ? It is a sad day that they are not accountable for manufacturing a quality product and can get away with it. They know the parameters are set too narrow in these cars and will not resolve the issue, why should they, last I checked they were the only provider of these parts. Last I checked there were not after market o2's being manufactured. Nissan somewhat has the market on the o2 sensors for these cars. I have not heard of so many o2 sensor, and brakes issues as I have with this automobile. These are items that protect the environment which we live as well as stopping the cars which we drive, yet they will replace these items until 36k miles and after that they dig in our pockets again to fix their engineering issues. While an ECN(engineering change Notice) is probably in order they will not accept accountability. Put not so politically correct this is simply PURE B%$*SH** and I will not own another Nissan..I have enjoyed it but I am very near throwing the towel in on this pipe dream of a quality engineered vehicle.

 

Amen. We already have two Infiniti's in the family, a Q45 and a G20, and have never had a problem with customer service... EVER!! After buying my Maxima in 2000, OMG I've never stressed so much about taking a car into the dealership.

 

Well I suppose you can't really compare infiniti to nissan, since the infinit is such a pricier vehicle - one should expect better quality and service.

I know these problems on these cars IS BS, but unfortunately when you're not spending $40k on a luxury vehicle you may have to expect them. At least we don't own Chevrolets

I only bought this car a month back to complement the 93 sentra I've had for a year. The only run ins with the dealer I've had is getting the wrong O2 sensor the first time (and the guy who then swapped it with the correct one still insists - wrongly I might add - that I asked for the wrong part, which is why I got the original wrong one. I suppose that's why he is in parts and not a mechanic), and they also wanting $65 to update my computer with newer proper code. Personally I think that that should be free. Also the driver door was sticking (the lock) and they wanted $150 just to open it without parts. $150 to dismantle the freaking door? I DON'T think so. That's like a half hour job tops.

Oh and then the sentra 8k miles ago was diagnosed with a "massive oil leak". They wanted $600 to repair (front crank shaft seal and the difficult to get to rear main seal). Of course they didn't say "I wouldn't bother on a car this old", so I had to get that info from other people, and I've been running fine since then topping it off ocassionally.

Like I said I've had no experience with other dealers since the sentra was my first car, but all I can say for sure is that Nissan loves to charge you up the *** in labor it would seem.

Still I love my cars

 

That's right, btw how do you change the Rear o2 sensor (behind the Cat)?

Thax

 

Really? I got an 01 which technically all 01's are cali spec, I only have 3 o2's...