BTW, aare there any ECU performance upgrades available?

 

I'd recommend you do a search on that one, sighere. You'll find lots of info on that subject.

 

First, a couple of questions. Does having a DTC necessarily mean that the SES light will come on? Is resetting the SES the same thing as clearing the DTC?

I'm thinking there is a difference between resetting the SES and clearing the DTC (which I believe we are referring to as resetting the ECU).

In my case, the positive cable was off overnight and even though the car started with the cable off (and not touching the post) the SES light went off and didn't come back on.

As for clearing the DTC - it says "within" 24hours - so it could mean that the available power in the system will take "up to" 24 hours to drain - at which time the dtc will be cleared (ecu will be completely reset). So, I'm not sure that using up the available power in the system will not expedite the resetting process.

Nissan wouldn't necessarily tell their techs to step on the brakes (for example) because they assume that they'll use the consult.

Also, the title and the next bullet point seem to imply that the ecu can be reset by putting the ecu in diagnostic mode. Is that the same thing the 4th gen guys do to reset their ecus? Anyone know anything about that?

 

I agree with you, Max_Gator. What we don't know is how long it takes to completely drain the electrical system by stepping on the brakes.

Why not do both? Step on the brakes until the brake lights go out AND leave the battery disconnected for 24 hours or more. That way you'll get the best of both worlds.

 

At this point I'm just curious.

 

you guys are funny. Just keeping the door open (dome light) should do the trick. Electricity "drains" pretty fast!

 

Don't laugh at us, sighere. Laugh at the editors of Sport Compact Car. Better yet, send them a letter telling them what a bunch of dolts they are.

 

You can have a pending DTC, which won't throw the SES light. The only way you can tell if you have a pending code is to hook the car up to an OBD-II scanner or Consult II.

From my experience, resetting the SES does clear the DTC... BUT, if you have a problem, the SES light will come back on with the DTC.

I'm not sure what happened in your case... it was REALLY weird that your car actually started.

I've cleared the DTC/SES light by pulling the negative terminal off for a few hours (verified by checking with the OBD-II scanner).

I don't believe we have a dianostic mode.

 

So from what I read...
Did ANYONE successfully reset the ECU on a 2K2 ?? Or know anyone that have??
This idea that I can't reset my ECU is pretty frightening.....almost afraid to mod since ECU learns well...slower!

And I can't reset the record of my driving????



Gee....that if just like unable to delete my history log on my internet explorer of **** sites RIGHT before my gf use my computer...if not scarier

 

Are these scanners expensive and/or do most mechanics have them, or is this a dealer item.

BTW, resetting did clear the SES lite, and so far it has not gone back on, but it would be nice to konw what it was thinking.

I don't want to take my car to the dealer w/all of the mods I have unless I really need to. Then I would probably pull everything exc. the UDP if it was a serious enough thing. I KNow the dealer has to "prove" your mods messed your car up, but why get into the pi$$ing match?

 

http://www.obd-2.com

 

 

Thanks for the info. Do you find having the thing useful? Seems like its about 122 bucks

 

I just got it to work yesterday, im still messing with it.
Ive got it to tell me any SES codes that are stored on the ecu.
If anyone has this and could please explain how to use the software, please let me know; it did not come with any manuals.

 

I have a 2000 SE 5-speed, with 51000 miles.
My ses light came on this morning for the first time ever. So I went out there just now, and with the ignition switch on (engine NOT running) and the parking lights on, I unplugged the battery. I plugged the battery back in, started the car, and the ses light did NOT come on. Which, I know, is not to say it wont come back on the next time I go out there and start it. So we will see.
Jimmy

 

Isn't that just avoiding the problem? Chances are there's something wrong with your car (O2 sensor perhaps), and you should try and get to the bottom of it. Autozone has an ODB-II scanner which they'll hook up to your car for free and tell you the code.

Why avoid the inevitible? I had a bad sensor and reset the ECU like you did and it stayed off for a week or two, but it came back on.

 

If there is something wrong (such as the O2)I would think it would come back on. Besides, every car I have owned (a saturn, cherokee, maxima, jetta, and another maxima) have all had service lights come on, and they have always been o2 sensors, and the worst thing that will happen (I am told) is I wont pass emissions. So if I dont pass emissions, I will worry about it then. And if it is something major, I guess I will pay for it then. Such is life.

By the way, the light still has not come back on.