Hi Guys
I was driving to Calexico today (nice Place NOT)when my Service Engine Soon Light came on, How do I reset this light ????? or do I have to take it to a dealer????
Also is it because the car has just under 15000 miles on it that it came on or what makes it came on ??

Thanks for your help in advance.
Richard

 

I don't know what's wrong, but you can reset your ECU by disconnecting the battery for a few hours.

 

Try unplugging your battery for a few hours... Sorta like cold-booting your car.. (in computer terms)... If that doesn't help, perhaps there is a reason for the Service Engine Soon Light... Besides, your dealer should look at it for free if it's under warrenty (sounds like it is)... They **should** (in theory) be able to tell you what's causing the light..

-Tom Z.

 

Did you change anything on your car?

 

Had the same problem at about 20K miles.
Took it to the dealer and their diagnosis:
catalytic converter malfunction. They replaced
it under warranty.

Good luck

 

The light could have turned on due to the gas cap not being tightened. I have heard of this happening. When I bought my car, the dealer told me they would reset the light once for free, if it was caused by the gas cap. After that, I would have to pay.

 

reset it for free once? does that sound stupid only to me? i mean, you can reset it yourself. if it wasn't the gas cap, they'll charge you? man, what's this world coming to?

-kafene.

 

hey rich, when you got the car, did it come w/ a warranty from the dealer? i wouldn't reset it, i'd take it to the dealer. 2k maxes have a problem with a faulty precat. my dealer has already replaced 3 of them under warranty. this may not be your problem, but if you reset it, the dealer can't check anything unless it comes back on again. have it checked by the dealer.

kafene.

 

There is a service advisory for what your problem sounds like.

My check engine came on solid two weeks ago for no apparent reason.. checked gas cap..etc.

I had it diagnosed at my dealership (Habberstadt Nissan). There appears to be a ECM paramater problem in some of the 2K Maxima computers that mis-diags the catalytic converter as being bad when it is not after 15K miles.

I have a printed copy of the advisory and will try to scan it in and provide more details.

As long as the service engine soon light isn't flashing (indicating detonation) that may be the problem.

I'm currently waiting for them to fix their reprogramming equipment so I can have the change made.. in the mean time.. they reset the service light and it has not come back on.

- Bryan

 

if you don't have a y-pipe, you should bring it back to the dealer for a check up. before my y-pipe, the SES light came on and took it back to the dealer. they said there was a problem with my main CAT and they replaced the part for free. they didn't charge me for the computer dignostic either. just bring it back to make sure everything is a-ok.

 

here are the details :
Classification: EC00-024 Reference: NTB00-070 Date: 8/31/00
Title: 2000-2001 Maxima MIL "ON" with DTC P0420 Stored - Three Way Catalyst Function

Applied Vehicles: 2000-2001 Maxima (A33) - Except 2000 Maximas with Federal Emissions Spec
Applied Vins: Vehicles built before: JN1CA31A*1T102405
JN1CA31A*1T301962
JN1CA31D*1T607073
JN1CA31D*1T804828
Applied Date: Vehicles built before : July 30,2000

Service Information:
If an applied 2000-2001 Maxima has a MIL "ON" w/ DTC P0420 (3 way catalyst function) stored in the ECM, there can be 2 causes:
- DTC may be the result of an internal ECM Program MisDiag, which may occur after 15,000 miles on the catalyst. If this is the cause, the catalyst should not be replaced. This bulletin provides updated ECM data to reporgram the vehicle's ECM to correct the condition.

-A damaged catalyst that is the result of engine misfire. A DTC confirmation procedure is provided in this bulletin to check for a damaged catalyst. If a damaged catalyst is confirmed, the catalyst must be replaced after ECM reprogramming.

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There are some more notes after this.. but the above is the main text.

Go to the dealer.. but as always.. it's nice to be educated.

- Bryan