check engine soon
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 342
Tag,
The whole purpose of CEL is to alert you of a problem with your car so you can take
care of it before it becomes problematic. If you have a chest pains you wouldn't
ignore it so don't ignore your car's problems. Just my 2cents worth
Mike
The whole purpose of CEL is to alert you of a problem with your car so you can take
care of it before it becomes problematic. If you have a chest pains you wouldn't
ignore it so don't ignore your car's problems. Just my 2cents worth
Mike
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 371
Ive heard from some people that CEL comes on periodically so you would take your car to the dealer. While this might be so with hondas or toyotas(i dont know if its so for sure, just the person who told me that was a honda/toyota driver), this is definetly not so with nissans. CEL means there is a problem or signs of an upcoming problem. Take it to autozone to clear this up, or even any mechanic. Most of them will agree to scan your car for codes for free.
i work for a nissan dealer and i will tell you there is no truth what so ever to the claim that the mil or check engine light comes on just because it is a problem of soe kind and depending on what code it is it may still be under the factory 8yrs 80k warranty. get it checked now because it may be minor and you could prevent a much larger problem from happening.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 35
Good advice...
While I agree with everyone that the CEL means there's a problem, and simply turning it off (by whatever means) is not a wise course of action.
But there may be a case where it is logical. In my case, I just got a Max. It came on a train and was bundled up on the train for two weeks getting here (slow train, ya, ya). When I got it the CEL light was on, and well $300 later and a couple oxygen sensors later and it's out. But in retrospect, I wish I had turned it off first (disconnected battery over night) and watched to see if it came back on. It's possible that sitting and bouncing on a train all week or so caused a minor problem code to show up without true cause.
So in some rare circumstances it may be ok to try to reset the CEL and see if it returns. But for the most part it will and you need to address the cause and not the symptom.
Jerry
But there may be a case where it is logical. In my case, I just got a Max. It came on a train and was bundled up on the train for two weeks getting here (slow train, ya, ya). When I got it the CEL light was on, and well $300 later and a couple oxygen sensors later and it's out. But in retrospect, I wish I had turned it off first (disconnected battery over night) and watched to see if it came back on. It's possible that sitting and bouncing on a train all week or so caused a minor problem code to show up without true cause.
So in some rare circumstances it may be ok to try to reset the CEL and see if it returns. But for the most part it will and you need to address the cause and not the symptom.
Jerry
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 300
The CEL has logic associated with it that will turn the light on *only* if it is something that has happened for the second time. In other words, the first time there's a fault, it stores it in memory and does not turn the light on. If the same fault comes up the very next time you drive, it will turn the light on.
If the fault has happened only once and in the next three drives it does not detect the same fault, it clears it from memory and you start over with a clean slate.
I'd recommend retrieving the code (don't need to go anywhere just need your ignition key). Then, reset the light and see if it returns.
If the fault has happened only once and in the next three drives it does not detect the same fault, it clears it from memory and you start over with a clean slate.
I'd recommend retrieving the code (don't need to go anywhere just need your ignition key). Then, reset the light and see if it returns.
Originally Posted by Jeraldo
While I agree with everyone that the CEL means there's a problem, and simply turning it off (by whatever means) is not a wise course of action.
But there may be a case where it is logical. In my case, I just got a Max. It came on a train and was bundled up on the train for two weeks getting here (slow train, ya, ya). When I got it the CEL light was on, and well $300 later and a couple oxygen sensors later and it's out. But in retrospect, I wish I had turned it off first (disconnected battery over night) and watched to see if it came back on. It's possible that sitting and bouncing on a train all week or so caused a minor problem code to show up without true cause.
So in some rare circumstances it may be ok to try to reset the CEL and see if it returns. But for the most part it will and you need to address the cause and not the symptom.
Jerry
But there may be a case where it is logical. In my case, I just got a Max. It came on a train and was bundled up on the train for two weeks getting here (slow train, ya, ya). When I got it the CEL light was on, and well $300 later and a couple oxygen sensors later and it's out. But in retrospect, I wish I had turned it off first (disconnected battery over night) and watched to see if it came back on. It's possible that sitting and bouncing on a train all week or so caused a minor problem code to show up without true cause.
So in some rare circumstances it may be ok to try to reset the CEL and see if it returns. But for the most part it will and you need to address the cause and not the symptom.
Jerry
Why did you pay for O2 sensors if the car is new and under warranty?
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