Well, my '01 Maxima GXE service engine soon light suddenly came on while I was driving home.

No symptoms whatsoever. It's got 83k miles on it and no engine/exhaust mods. The service engine soon light never came on before.

Anyone got any ideas? Thanks!

 

Before this gets ugly........... You should pull the codes then search, and then ask!

Just making life easier for ya.

 

TAKE IT TO AUTOZONE or advanced auto....and have them run the OBD II scanner on it, and report back with the code

 

Yeah, I am going to Autozone to pull the code.

One clue is that the car started to burn a little oil lately. Doest that tell anything?

 

Just pulled the code at Autozone.

P0420 = Catalyst efficiency below threshold bank #1

Explanation: The oxygen sensors monitor the catalytic converter's ability to store oxygen.

Probable causes:
1. Catalytic converter defective
2. Engine misfire or running condition
3. Large vacuum leak
4. Engine oil leakage into exhaust-valve guide seals, piston rings

I cleared the code and on the way driving back (8 miles) the light didn't turn on again.

Any suggestions? Due to the fact of recent oil loss, I suspect it is #4.

 

I've heard that you can get that code if the gas cap isn't on tight enough the same thing used to happen to me and after removing the cap and putting it back on the sel would go away after driving for a while... or it could be the o2 sensors... but after clearing the code and it not comming back I would suspecious of the gas cap.

 

Yeah, I heard of similar things.

Now I plan to have a long distance drive (400 miles), and wonder whether this will give me any trouble on the road.

 

Go with the easy fix and see if the engine light comes on again..And hopefully you are not into the #4 spot..Good Luck

 

There are about a zillion threads on PO420.

Short answer: it's usually an 02 sensor gone bad.
Long answer: there are other causes (including ECU glitch).

Do a search (type P0420 into the search box!), and you will find more threads than you'll ever want to read on this subject.