New here and feeling like I'm being screwed by the service department! SES light came on - the dealer says it's a catalytic converter thing and the ECm needs to be reprogrammed.

The car is 4500 miles over warranty. The Nissan consumer service center said it wouldn't be covered even if it were still under warranty. (What does bumper-to-bumper mean??)

Anyway, I'm feeling like I shouldn't have to pay to have this done. Any advice out there? Anyone have a similar experience?

I really appreciate any help! (Although I can always just scream at the service manager!)

Becky

 

I'm assuming 4500 over 3yr/36K, but I'd point out that it's part of the emissions system(ECU, cat, 02-sensors, etc.) and that's covered until 8yrs/80K miles according to this: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/warr95fs.txt(Credit: Galo)

I'm not sure if that's out-of-date, but I'd still try and argue it's part of the emissions system and THAT is covered for longer then the 3yr/36K.

Even if they charge you, it should only take 20-30 mins., so it won't cost but maybe, $35-$50. I know it sucks, but sometimes the fight just isn't worth the hassle.

 

Catalytic Convertors are covered under the powertrain warranty, not the regular 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Are you over the 4 years/50,000 mile period? If so, you'll have to pay for the repairs. If not, then NNA should cover it. Call 1-800-Nissan-1 if they give you crap about it.

 

Thanks for your suggestions!! They will get me started.

They're charging me $180 so I was a little perturbed.

And in the meantime, I'm having to drive a Ford 150. I want my car back!

Thanks again!

Becky

 

I doubt it's the cat convertor.

The ECU is just too sensitive and needs to be "smacked" with new limits it should accept.

 

Either way... it's still covered under the powertrain warranty since the SES light code was a cat-related code. What they have to do to fix it doesn't matter, but the powertrain warranty should cover it all.

 

Becky, I also had the same exact issue with my 2K SE. I called the stealership and they told me I need to have my ECM flashed with the newest software rev. Then when I actually brought it in to the Stealership they tried telling me I needed a new pre-cat. I argued/questioned the Service Advisor about this for about 35 minutes and they suddenly realized that there was a newer rev of the ECM software ($80 to update the software). They were trying to make me pay 600+ dollars for the part and 240 for installation. It has now been over 2 weeks 1K+ plus miles and the light has yet to come back on. A couple user in this forum have had the same problem and their dealer swapped out the actual CAT Converter and it went away. California Emmission cover Cat Coverters for 8 years 80K miles.

Good Luck!

 

I get nervous about this.... I bought the first 2000 Max that came into town (8/99), I have NEVER had any types of these problem. Never had any ECU issues whatsoever. I hope my ECU never goes bad because it seems like the first version of the software was the best!!!

Knock on wood

 

I don't believe the powertrain warranty covers emissions equipment, but the FEDERALLY mandate emissions warranty *SHOULD*. However, she'll still have to FIGHT them inorder for them to do it at no charge, since it's not the cat. The cat is specifically listed under the emissions warranty, but the ECU is a grey area and the dealers will even argue that it's not covered under the powertrain warranty.

Although the ECU is REQUIRED for the powertrain and emissions systems to work, the dealer will still try and argue it's not covered.