For a while now, I've been getting SES lights, and there is no useful info when the dealer pulls the code. They tell me that it's a random misfire, but that there's no bank info to further troubleshoot. They attribute it to "bad gas". Here's the info that I've collected on this:

The SES light only seems to come on while cruising the highway, and will go away on it's own, only while on the highway. For example, I drove 100 miles on the highway yesterday, it threw a SES light. I reset the code while stopped at a rest area. While on my commute home today (about 100 miles since the reset), it threw another code. If I don't reset the code manually, it tends to go away after a tank of gas or two, however it tends to come back within the next few hundred miles. It also seems to throw the code when I have less than a tank of gas.

I know my observations are all over the place, but if anyone has any input it would be greatly appreciated. Possibly a bad gas cap???

possibly relevent mods: frankencar intake, UR UDP, PR motor mounts, cattman exhaust

 

Bad gas cap would cause evap leak codes. Search the millions of threads here re: Ignition Coils on 2k-2k1 maxes. If you haven't already replaced all 6 coils, you're due.

 

Bad gas cap

 

My SES has been coming on intermittenly also for about a month. I thought it could be with the gas cap, but it wouldn't come on after i filled up. I first got it on the highway also, but ocassionally it goes away and comes back. I have yet to pull the codes, but will soon.

 

Replace all 6 coils on a car with 45k miles?
Hmm... I'll start with the gas cap. In dialog with the dealer, they too stated that they would expect to see an evap leak code, but with the limited info they're pulling I would think anything is possible.

 

A leaking gas cap seal will not cause a random misfire.
kthx.

And yes all 6 coils can be bad at 45,000 miles.

If I were a betting man I'd put my money on the coils or the MAF.

 

Alright, I asked the dealer to provide the slip that they use when pulling codes - there was more than the random misfire code, there was also an evap leak code - so I replaced the cap: $13.

The SES did come back, but not only at 1/2 a tank, it came on with fresh tank of gas, so I'll entertain the idea of replacing the coils.

What is the cost of a new set, and are there aftermarket options?

 

i just had the same probelm. The plastice peice that holds the gas cap was caught inside the cap leaving a small gap. I just adjusted it and the SES went away.

 

If that's a cap, can the code be P0505 (idle air control valve). Mine came up and showed that error. I reset it for now cuz I had to change the battery anyways, but now afraid if it will come back on after 100 miles?

 

dude what are the codes that u got--if u got a misfire code depending on the number--p0300-p0306--the 300 is multicylinder misfire and the the last number of the code 301-the 1 is for cylinder #1 so 302 would be cyl #2 and so on. the evap code was a small, or gross leak--mostly gross leaks are from gas caps. but there are plenty of things to go wrong. and I wouldnt worry about coils--i saw that ur profile on the left side of the post said you have a 2k2 max--those coils are good. and any ways u would have to take off the intake to get to the back--if its a 2k2 maxima

 

you should monitor the type of gas you are using. i was getting ses light but i got p0420 code. i noticed that the ses went away right when i filled up with chevron gas (literally the second i turned on my car after filling up). originally, i thought it was just all in my head, but the week after i filled up with arco gas and the ses came back on. and just to test it out i filled up with chevron again and the ses light went away and hasn't come back for a few months after about 1000 miles.

don't know how to explain it, but my ses light isn't on anymore