dlcphoto

I have a 2004 Maxima SL, about 144,000 miles on it. I'm the original owner. Well maintained in terms of regular servicing.

Went to start the car this morning, and out of nowhere found:

Instrument Cluster problems:

Tachometer - stays at 0
Transmission Indicator - blank; no LED showing at all
Fuel: stays at 0, low tank warning light is on
Temperature: stays at the bottom
Cruise Control won't turn on
Climate Control won't turn on

Following lights are on, steady and not blinking:
Slip
VDC OFF
ABS

I have Torque with an OBDII device plugged in, and found the following:

Fault Codes:
U1001
P0462

Mode $06 report generated by Torque for Android:
All tests pass except for:

TID:$46 CID:$0e
-
Max: 296
Test result value: 368
FAIL


I am good with computers and technology, but virtually no skills or tools for auto repair. I can follow instructions and sort things out, if there's a straightforward fix I can try.

Any idea on what the problem is, and more importantly, is this something that I can potentially address myself? The searching I've done spoke of a poor ground somewhere. The battery terminals are clean, and free of corrosion, for whatever that's worth.

And is this something a non-Nissan repair shop can deal with? Ideas on cost?

Thanks for any insight and/or suggestions.

Don

P.S. Is it safe to drive in this condition, such as to get it to the shop?

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

The P0462 is a fuel level sensor code. But the sensor relies in the CAN communications in the car. And you other code is:

U1001 is a CAN communications problem.

This can be a headache to diagnose. The Nissan service manual says it is a wiring problem, but there are a several/many things that utilize the CAN and could be dragging it down.

See page 149 in the manual - http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/2004/EC.pdf

The above section of the manual will refer you to the LAN section of the service manual which is all about the CAN Communications system.

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/2004/LAN.pdf

Les7311

Follow the battery ground. Mine was replaced by dealer due to poor ground...you can make the fix if you have some mechanical skillz...try youtube also if a vid exist how to DIY
Am almost certain it's coming off the battery ground...
Hola on find

dlcphoto

Thanks for the replies. I didn't see them because the email notification for subscribed threads didn't seem to work for me.

I brought it in, and the shop diagnosed the problem as the "A/C Amplifier" having failed.

They replaced it ($286 for the part, $270 labor) for $556. Ouch!!

That did fix the problem.

I tried to find an online price for that part, but can't identify exactly what it is.

Does this pricing sound reasonable in terms of the part and labor?

Thanks.

Don

ETA: discovered I had an *old* email address for this forum, which explains why I didn't receive the notifications. I updated it, so should be good to go.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

The part is called "Amplifier-Control, Air Conditioner", part number 27760-7Y01B. It has a list price of $225.63, but can be gotten for $169.23 at Courtesy Nissan or $170.31 at NissanPartsZone.com.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/27726n-...ml?cPath=2668&
http://www.nissanpartszone.com/parts...760-7y01b.html

You were charged almost 3 hours labor, assuming a rate of $100 per hour. Some of that was diagnostics, some of it was part replacement. The part is located in the center dash, below the radio and heater controls. An experienced person could replace it in a half hour, but I'm sure the book rate is more than actual time needed.

dlcphoto

Thanks. I really appreciate this. I'm going to contact the shop with this information, and see what they have to say. I can't argue with the labor part, since as you point out, there are usual 'scheduled' times for various repairs. But I shouldn't be overcharged for the part itself.

Don

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Good luck with that. I hate to be a pessimist, but I doubt that they will budge.

dlcphoto

Certainly, I think you're right, but I just sent a polite request to double-check their pricing, giving them the chance to adjust it as a clerical error.

Don