I have a 2001 Maxima SE with 17800 miles on it. Today the Service Engine Soon light came on. Anyone have experience with this? I saw the post of one person who seemed to have have a similar problem and it turned out to the catalytic converter. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. I don't tend to trust mechanics even though my father and grandfather are both mechanics (come to think of it that may be why I don't trust them) and my dealership is well... a dealership. Can't ask my father because I have seen him in 20 years... but that's a post for an entirely different board LOL.

Thanks for any help.

 

How's the car drive? Any problems? If could be something simple or bad. You would really have to goto a shop that has one of this Diag scanners. I went to Pepboys and they pulled my code for me. Usually any AST certified place will have it..

 

Could be something really simple. First you should try resetting the ECU by unplugging the battery for a few hours (others say overnight). If it comes back like it did with my car, then take it to the dealer. They fixed mine free. Tech said that some new software had to be downloaded.

 

As a former driveability tech, try this. If you are not having any noticable difference in the way it drives, just check your gas cap. Make sure its tightened down 3 or more clicks. Just trust me on this one.

 

Your still under warranty, go back to the dealer.

 

I need to order a new rear o2 sensor for my 2000 Maixima SE, do I need a 1 wire sensor or 3 wire sensor, do I need one with a flange and should I order a platinum-tipped sensor? On the same subject: What type of o2 sensor is used for the front, are they the same?

Help, I don't want to work with the dealership, they have been nothing but difficult to work with.

 

I do trust you, because I read the same thing in the manual. It said that this MIL was related to emissions and that it could be the gas cap. The car is running fine. I did check the cap and clicked it a few more times. Also I filled up with gas making sure I put the cap on tight. The light is still on. Any other ideas? I saw that there were 2 new TSB's on MIL's relating to emissions. The website wants you to pay $35 to see them though. Thanks for the help.

 

It could be something simple as having your dealer upload some new code to your ECU....

 

After you click the gas cap back into place the light will not go off until after you have gone though what we call a "drive cycle". You can disconnect your battery overnight and if it comes back on I would definitely take it in to the dealer. The dealer does have calibration reprograms for your pcm. Most of the time they are not related to MIL issues, but it is possible.

cya
Ryan

 

Thanks, I will disconnect the battery tonight and see if that does the trick. "Disconnecting that battery" is that what you meant by "drive cycle"? You have me curious. Thanks again for your help I never would have known to do the battery thing. BTW I love my car, best car I've ever owned.

 

I had the same problem and it turned out to be my fuel cap. Check your fuel cap, give it a few days of driving and the light should off. if it doesn't take it to the dealer.

 

a drive cycle is between the time you turn on your car and drive between 5 and 15 miles. This is SUPPOSED to be done when you buy your new car by the new car prep guys. So if you buy a new car with less than 10 miles on it, they never prepped it right. The drive cycle is the time that the PCM "checks" all of its components to make sure they are within correct operating voltage.

cya
Ryan

 

Hmm seems like everyone is getting this problem around 20k miles, i had the same problem a couple weeks ago, u can search for the post. I took it to the dealer and had it fixed with no charge, it should be under warranty, according to the sales guy the o2 sensor was messed up
and they replaced it BTW does anyone know where the O2 sensor located on

 

As someone else previously mentioned, just take it to the dealer. You are covered bumper to bumper 3/36, let them do the dirty work.

 

I disconnected the battery last night and this morning the light was off. So it seems to be solved...for now. I still plan on mentioning it to the dealer when I go in for my next service. That way if there is still a problem they will hopefully fix it. Thanks to all for the info and suggestions.

 

i had the same problem..the dealer replaced the cat under warranty.