I was driving this morning and the Engine Service Soon light came on.

There was nothing wrong I could feel. Car drove fine but I stopped it. Since AutoZone here no longer reads codes for free, can anyone provide some insight before I go out to buy a code reader?

My car is a 2001 GXE with manual shift, with 101k miles.

Thanks!

 

Autozone reads codes for free.. I was just there mid-week to get my 4th gen scanned.

If they're being lazy douches and won't scan your car, get a scanner for yourself. I just bought the Autel Maxiscan MS300 off Amazon and it'll be here Thursday. I'm excited.

 

pepboys scans codes

 

My light just came on as well,I work at a dealership so i got a tech to scan it for me,But yea PepBoys and AutoZone

 

Just ordered the scanner too.

For $21 it saves me from driving there and potential hassle. Last time I was at AutoZone (this is in SF bay area in CA) they didn't scan it for me.

 

Thinking of picking this up too, been getting a decent amount of codes lately, and I'd rather be able to go outside and scan the code instead of driving 2 miles to the auto parts store.

 

Yup. I figured I might as well buy it too, to save me the hassle. Also, Autozone doesn't erase codes. The scanner above does and it can also scan vehicle systems and check VINs ('02+ years). It's a great buy for $21.

 

lol at autozone lying to you. advance scans for free too..

oh and congrats on FINALLY owning a maxima, you dont own a maxima unless you have a SES light

 

Does anyone know what the difference is between the MS300 and the MS309? Whatever it is, it's not obvious... other than the display.

 

I couldn't find any different info on the MS309 so I just went with the MS300 since there's a few vids on YouTube showing that it works and is simple.

 

Seems the MS310 does live data streaming, but your currently SOL if you're trying to update the device with a Windows 7 client.

Neat. Something to keep in mind... I've always wanted a scanner.

 

I think the MS509 has live data streaming as well with a few other features but I don't need all that. Plus, it's twice as much.

 

This is such a common problem for this car

 

That is the quote of the day

 

P1320 primary ignition fault code here!

 

dont mean to hijack the thread but i have code witch i cant clear with my scanner any idea on how to clear it?

 

Reset the ECU.

 

To the OP, there are at least 2 codes that I know of which will not make your car feel any different when they come up as you drive; P420 and P430. Those two codes typically have to do with the precats. You'll have a better idea of what's wrong once you get the actual code(s) your car is throwing.

 

Ordered cam phaser today,Hopefully install tomorrow

 

autozone here in socal doesnt do it anymore. they claim too many mechanics complained because they wouldnt make money off people wanting their codes pulled anymore. and i told them straight up that they are idiots for caring about the mechanics pockets. before people got their codes pulled and bought replacement parts right there and then from them. now they lose customers.


ps maximas are pretty reliable. my 4th gen of 8 years only blew an alternator and starter on me. and my AE has been bullet proof for about 16k now. knock on wood.

 

umm bring that u have the about the same milage as me im guessin its probably the 02 sensors

 

In L.A., Autozone doesn't not scan codes anymore, ever!

 

If you have a Android Phone, download the app OBD DroidScan Pro or Torque App. You will also need the wireless device:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170661576475...84.m1439.l2649

 

I think it's CA wide and it's probably nothing more than them wanting to make money. I got my 02 scanned for free at an Autozone in Santa Clara when I first bought it about four years ago. Now they won't. They can either scan it for free or sell you a scanner. I'll let you decide which they'd rather do . It is stupid, but then owning a scanner is much more convenient/worth it/might as well they aren't that expensive.

 

Thanks for the pointer. That's my suspicion too.

But my car just passed smog last month. Well, it can happen. My scanner should be here tomorrow then I will know for sure.

I have owned my 2001 since new for almost 11 years now, currently with 101k miles. The repairs so far: replaced alternator at 75k miles, replaced rear shocks at less than 50k miles, replaced clutch hose (it is a stick shift) at 100k miles.

The rest was all maintenance. In my experience the Maxima is pretty reliable and, more importantly, much more sporty and fun to drive than Toyota and Honda.

 

You are right!

Just pulled the codes and got a pending P0420 catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 1.

Now please tell me what's wrong and what needs to be done.

 

If that's the case then they better stop selling ALL parts, because theoretically every time I buy a windshield wiper blade, it's profit taken out of the mechanic's pockets because I didn't pay them to do it.

 

A while ago i had an 2000 max an i didnt care what gas i put in it, cheap gas caused the SEL to come one, filled one tank of premium, SEL went away. Your loght maybe a million of other things but if you have been possibly putting in cheaper gas, this is the cheapest way to try to fix the SEL... Just my past experience, hope it helps...

 

If your 5th gen doesn't have an SES, then it's not a true 5th gen, return it and get another.

 

Haha funny, but sadly true

 

*pounds chest*

 

People with vq35 motors should just invest in Uprev Cipher diagnostic tool.

 

That' the rear pre-cat. From the little I know, the cause of that issue is not too easy to pinpoint. Some people say to go the "easy" way first and replace the offending Oxygen Sensor. There are 2 per pre-cat; one before the pre-cat and one after it (in your case, H02S1-B1 and H02S2-B1 on the picture below). I just can't remember which one should be the faulty one. Hopefully someone will chime in on this. Other people swear by just replacing the precat and be done.

 

Thanks!

Are they easy to change? Or do I need to take the car to a shop? Where is the best place to get the sensors? I searched online. They seem to cost $100 each.

 

That all depends. Are you willing to try it? Have you changed spark plugs before or changed your own oil?

I would say that if you can do both of the above without worrying a lot, you should be able to handle it. Changing the oil, you learned the proper way to jack and support a car, and with spark plugs you've worked with electrical connectors and know not to use an impact wrench to install the new threaded parts.

You WILL need a special socket to remove and install the old sensors. I think it's in the $15 range, and it's a good one to throw in your toolbox and have handy for either your next sensor that goes bad, or when the cute neighbor comes over and says "My o2 sensor needs replacing." Then you can stand there with your hands on your hips and your cape flapping in the wind as you say "I can fix that for you!"

I ordered all four of mine from www.oxygensensors.com and I was very pleased with everything about it. Fast shipping, reasonable prices, and completely plug-n-play.

I say don't take it to a shop unless you have more money than time. If you're going to drive a Maxima, you need to get comfortable tinkering with sensors and electronic gizmos.

 

^^^^^words to live by^^^^^^

If you gonna do it yourself make sure you have some WD-40 or similar very handy cause you will need it...if your O2 sensors are really stubborn like one of mine was the O2 socket wont work(although it usually does on most) I had to go buy a combination wrench(dont recall size) and use the 12 point closed end because even the O2 socket was stripping the sensor.

 

I will DIY since I have done spark plugs, oil change, and belt change.

 

Yes sir CA Autozone no more code readers for customers I bought one off ebay 50 bucks gives the code # and a explanation of what it is...love it....

 

FWIW, I bought this one a few years ago. Hasn't let me down yet.

http://www.harborfreight.com/can-obd...enu-98568.html

 

The Autel's we bought look almost exactly the same and is a third of that price.

I'm extremely happy with my scanner. It took me less than three minutes to scan and clear my codes on my 4th gen. I also scanned my mother's car and found three codes on hers that I was unaware of. No codes on the 5.5