Trouble Code P1800 - the infamous VIAS solenoid trouble code
 

2002 Nissan Maxima. Have pulled and erased CODE P1800 several times to verify that it is a legitimate and permanent trouble code. Some folks mention that they are able to repair their VIAS rod which breaks and causes this trouble code, however, this is not relevant to this engine as it has a different VIAS setup. My question for you all is this... how often is this issue resolved by simply replacing the actual solenoid itself?

Thank you.

Actually that is what it needs, a new solenoid. They don't last forever, and replacement is easy.

If you want to confirm this, just take some jumper wire and power the solenoid up on the bench. It should click on & off when 12v is applied & removed. Polarity is not important BTW.

Get a block off plate and done deal!

you guys are awesome -- looks like I will be ordering a new solenoid. I have read that disabling the system by a block destroys some of the low end power. Any truth to this? IF that is the loss, what/where is the gain? Anyone know who sells this solenoid most inexpensively?

Courtesyparts.com Nissan
 

Hi guys, my 2002 was throwing the same code (P1800) 2 days ago, yesterday when I got in the car to go to work, I started her up and the SES light didnt come on?

Does this code just go away? It confused me to say the least...I was just about to order Valve Assy-Solenoid,Valve Timing Control from Courtesy Nissan, do I still need to?

I would not buy it from the dealership, it is waaaay too expensive, like $139 we're talking at my local stealership. I found one online for $39 a few weeks back. Now... if I could only find it again. Anyone?

Did you order it from Pep Boys , Auto zone...etc? Or was it Rock Auto or another online retailer?

Thanks in Advance

I have the same P1800 code; a lot of people told to put a block of plate but Whould my SES light come off?

Actually, you guys wont' believe this but the solenoid was not bad at all. THE MAF HAD FAILED AND IT WAS CAUSING A SECONDARY FALSE POSITIVE P1800 CEL FOR THE SOLENOID. So... I replaced the MAF with a genuine NISSAN, year 2000 MAXIMA MAF (a 2003 MAF from a 5.5 gen is 450 bucks vs. only 90 for the 5th gen. Y2K MAF which is 100x better to begin with and does not require idle relearn after installing -- read the DIY post on the MAF swap and it will tell you how to do this and why). Not only did the erroneous error code go away, BUT MY IMPOSSIBLY HIGH IDLE FROM THE THROTTLE BODY CLEAN PROCEDURE AND 60 FAILED IDLE RELEARN PROCEDURES COMPLETELY NORMALIZED TO 650 RPM!!! And... AND...THE CAR FREAKING DRIVES LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL NOW! I mean it has more pep and torque than day one off the lot. No joke!

This is so important we need everyone to know about it that has a 5.5 gen Maxima. GET THAT STOCK MAF OUT OF THERE AND SWAP IT WITH A GENUINE Y2K! EVEN IF IT IS WORKING JUST FINE!

Where did you find it for $39. I have searched everywhere and can only find it for $150 from the stealership.

If you mean the MAF, here's one for 87.xx$

http://www.courtesyparts.com/22680-m...957_1973_1976&

I was looking for the VIAS solenoid

I was just searching and came across this.....thank you as I am throwing the same codes. Time for a MAF.

Good Luck and report back if it helped.....:D

I've got P1800 too. Bench tested the solenoid with 12vdc and click, click just as expected. Also verified that air flow was properly deverted. Vacuum lines and actuator react as expected. ECM seems too difficult to access to perform voltage measurement at pin 27. Others mention the MAF could be triggering the P1800 code. Where do I get the Solenoid for a great price? Car drives with no noticeable issues. Could this still be a MAF sensor? My previous car (1996 Infiniti I30) had a bad MAF that presented itself with infrequent, brief, erratic performance issue, never with a code or MIL.

RockAuto.com sells a VIAS for 2002 Maxima for $17.31. The parts they sell seem to be of good quality. The MAF is still suspect; from my experience, the only way to find out is two swap it for a good one. I managed to borrow one from a another car ..... I now keep an spare MAF in my garage.

Hey bro...i'd be willing to bet "there is no way that Rock sells a VIAS controller for $17 bucks."

That piece usually runs about 80-100 bucks online.

Try and find it on Rocks website...for $17.

The part is 80 bucks: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...515&cc=1431961

.

Yep...exactly.

I don't know WTF that guy was looking at...but, I GUESS he tried.

I was getting that code of the p1800. Locally I was told that it was the timing solenoid and not just the solenoid valve. This and other places told me it was just the valve. I replaced the solenoid valve but was still having issues with it stalling. Thankfully due to this forum and the mention of the Mass Air Flow Sensor causing false ones I replaced that and suddenly no problems. So that is something to check. Also wanted to add I got all my parts off of Amazon and it was a lot cheaper. The solenoid valve was only 12 and change, the Mass Air Flow Sensor was only 19.99. I also bought the VIAS Timing Solenoids, 2 of them for 44 and change. (Locally they were 164 each). So definitely shop around.

Every time I go to the junkyard I grab 2 or 3 of those solenoids if they test good....and pocket them! I must have about 2 dozens of them...They're about $85 each (Rockauto) and $187 from your local parts store. It's just a simple solenoid!

There's tons on ebay for less than $15

Bought a NWP block plate and got rid of the butterfly door