MY2000MAX

Ok, went to autozone and had the code pulled. Heres what I got:
P0420
"Bank 1: Catalyst efficiency below threshold"

What do I do?
I bought the 2000 SE last year with 54,000. Now I got 70,000 and I've had the SES on for just about the whole time I've owned it.

Whats broken, how do I fix it and how much will it cost?
I dont want to deal with the stealership unless its my last resort. I want to know anything and everything about this problem. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

smoon629

iTrader: (1)

gahh. these code gives me the chills. its possible that its the o2 sensor or even the cat. you can take the risk of bringing it into the dealer and get it diagnosed and pray that whatever it is, is still covered by 8/80 warranty. just unplug the neg side of the battery for several hours, which will reset the ECU. it'll clear the SES light, but if the problem still exists it'll come back. i've even heard people say that the P0420 code is actually a glitch in the ECU of our 2K's and can be fixed with a ECU reflash at the dealer. This should be covered under 8/80, but try the battery method first. let us know how it goes

Lontar1

iTrader: (5)

I tried the battery thing and it didn't work.....you can get used to it like me........ or go to the dealer and pay them for nothing........

HKMax

There is TSB out that might fix this problem. And this TSB should be under emission warranty. I have the same problem and I haven't gotten around doing this. If your car drives normal and I think this is most likely it.

MY2000MAX

Getting rid of the SES light is not a problem, i've done it before. The max drives great, never a problem. Its just that the light comes back within days. I'm used to it but I am getting sick and tired of it.

What is the TSB? And what is the emission warranty?

NisMo-Max

iTrader: (40)

Emissions Warranty Covers Up To 50,000 miles only.

MY2000MAX

I thought it was 8yr/80,000?

acMAX

i think its the 02 sensor.....

hasei

iTrader: (5)

You probably need either:

(1) ECU reprogramming; or
(2) CAT replacement.

From what I heard from others or read in this forum, in most of the cases you only need ECU reprogramming.

I had the same P0420 problem with my 2000 I30 since I bought it last fall, but last month I went to an Infiniti dealer. They fixed it under warranty. I haven't had a single occurence of P0420 or SES ever since.

It doesn't take long to reprogram ECU but you need to have a Nissan dealer to have it done one way or the other. The issue is whether or not if this is going to be covered under warranty for you.

Larrio

iTrader: (10)

guys, stop spreading wrong information.

Just read this:
http://forums.maximaracing.org/viewtopic.php?t=96

HKMax

Warranty information is here:
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/e...m/act/warranty

According to this and I quote: "The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty extends for 2 years/24,000 miles for emission-related parts and 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device."

So this warranty covers cat AND ECU regprogramming.

The TSB is located here: http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/NTB00-070a.pdf

Your's sounds like reprogramming.

Maxout160

iTrader: (2)

I went to Nissan Dealership and showed TSB to them. They told me that only covered under 36/36,000 and for me to called Nissan USA. I called them and I was being nice to the people at Nissan USA. Nissan USA keep telling me that only covered under 36/36,000.
I still have P0420 code and I got about 62,000 miles.

Larrio

iTrader: (10)

take it to another dealer. I didn't even have to show a tsb for mine. They charged $85 to pull the code, but once they found the P0420 the fee was waived and new program downloaded

HKMax

It's a federaly mandated warranty. They should honor it. Like Larrio said go to another dealer.