I took my car apart earlier to do the VIAS fix and I found that there was nothing wrong with my VIAS linkage at all. In fact, it was very clean in there and looked pretty new (113,000 Miles).

I had a question about my ECU. This car was a "Fleet Vehicle" In Carfax, so Im guessing it could have been a rental at some point. Is it possible that the ECU was flashed either by Nissan Factory or the Rental Car Company to disable the VIAS? I have heard of them limiting the Radio volume, etc.

The only reason I even made this connection is because I have heard from many reputable people on here and on the Shift_Ice website that the VIAS problem affects 100% of 5th gen maximas.

Please help

-Ryan

 

It's doubtful that it was reflashed for reduced power or other things, but you could always have a dealer take a look at the software revision with a CONSULT-II; that'll tell you.

It's possible it was just driven lightly it's entire life, with it never or rarely having even hit the VIAS activation point. That, or it was replaced at some point...have the service records?

 

you can hear it when it's open.
it's a click noise when you press more than half way of the gas pedal.
and the engine sounds different.
listen this vid starting at 4:15
first reving was no VIAS open, second one was open.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9FDefVBUTo

 

I have an 01, and I cant really hear as much of a difference as in the video. It is going to the Nissan Dealer tomorrow around 2pm for an ECM Reprogramming and I will ask them about that at the same time

-Ryan

 

you can see the vacuume pulling and releasing the valves if you open the hood.

 

Dealer checked my car out today, it has the correct ECU version. They told me no need for updating. Car threw a code on the way up there, they pulled it and said it was an o2 code. No worries, the pre cats are going in the trash and the rear cat is getting replaced w/ a fastcat so unless a sensor is toast, I should be fine there.

Dealer didnt charge me a dime

-Ryan

 

Same here... recently while doing my rear valve cover gaskets at 168K miles.. I opened up the VIAS only to find it was still solidly intact.

Seeing the way the system was setup it just looks all driven by vacuum lines and no ECU interference.

 

the open and close switch is controled by ECU tho.

 

so is it worth my time taking it apart? i was planing to now i dont know

 

It only takes maybe 45 minutes to take it all apart. It is worth it to know for sure

-Ryan

 

VIAS only opens at 5100 for the 00-01s, not about throttle percentage for us.

VIAS is also controlled electronically, the guys in 4th gens do not hook up the vacum lines they just cap them off and use an RPM switch.

 

so should i give it a try or do not bother?

 

Give it a try