The weird problem came again.

Start car. Engine putt-putt.

SES LIGHT
TCS OFF LIGHT
SLIP LIGHT

car drives like a lawnmower putt putt putt. Like louder, not much power, no acceleration.

The dealer said next time it happens bring it to us right away so we can see it misbehaving.

I drove it right over there, and left it running. The tech got in it and was like, wow, its like driving a lawnmower!!

The ECU gave the same codes as before (a month ago when they couldn't fix it):

IGNITION SIGNAL - PRIMARY
CYL 2 MISFIRE

So, they have my car again. Last time they claim they checked everything and found no problems. It has run fine for the last month, no issues.

Any theories from you experts????? Any possibility of blaming my POP-Intake or Y-pipe? They didn't try to last time, they are pretty cool, but just checking.

/aac

 

They have to PROVE your mods caused the problem if they are trying to get of Warnt. work.

 

Something liek that happened to me with my old car. All that was the problem was that one of the spark plugs went bad and wasn't firing.

 

I respectfully disagree. They don't have to PROVE anything. A dealer service department is not a court of law. If the dealer determines that your mods caused a problem he may refuse to perform no-charge warranty work. Then you have to sue the dealer, and when your case is heard in court it is your burden to PROVE the mods were unrelated.

 

Hmm.. I know you're the expert here, but I think you're off on this one. It is only INDIRECTLY the responsibility of the dealer to fix the defect under warranty. They act as agent for the manufacturer, Nissan, who actually writes the warranty and is legally responsible for executing it. They are paid by Nissan to execute the warranty by repairing defects. Generally in these cases, the manufacturer needs to show that the modification caused the problem for which warranty coverage is being requested. A dealer would generally need to give a written denial of coverage and you'd take it to Nissan directly. I don't know of any legal precedents, but in my experience they generally fix them. Nissan doesn't want the problem.

The common misperception is that modding anything voids your warranty. This is just false (you already know that) .. however, if you modify your transmission and you have problems with it after, you're likely going to get a denial.

/aac

 

Dealers do what they want to do though. Several people on the 5th gen forum have already been denied warranty reimbursement for repairs blamed on modifications. If they say "not covered", you are at their mercy. You then have to go through a legal process. Some dealers back down when you fight, others don't.

 

Agreed. The existence of mods raises questions. Nissan has the responsibility to pay for warranty repairs but the dealer makes the judgement. The warranty booklet clearly states that there is no coverage for
- alteration, tampering, or improper repair.
- installation of non-Nissan approved accessories or components.
- improper installation of any Nissan approved or aftermarket accessory or component.

If the dealer decides you have voided the warranty he can wave the book in your face. It becomes your burden to
- convince the dealer he is wrong
- convince Nissan the dealer is wrong
- convince a judge the dealer is wrong

 

Welp I didn't want this to turn into a warranty/mod discussion.. my fault tho.. I was kinda wondering what's wrong with my car... ... any ideas anyone?

/aac

 

I think I am at an advantage here due to the Infiniti "extra service." These guys go out of their way to make me happy, and haven't once even hinted that there's a problem with the mods. We've even talked about them, they have no problems with them.

/aac

 

thinking/hoping that it's a bad #2 spark plug....otherwise, it's motor issues.

 

My guesses, in order of probability...
1) Bad ignition coil
2) Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor
3) Bad spark plug

 

and you STILL want to be MOTM!?!?

 

Welp they claim they checked all that.

Believe it or not, they're blaming it on a messed up harness that leads to the ECM. They say someone took off the cover and tapped a wire into it (but never used the wire, they just taped it off) .. probably the stereo guys.

They claim this is causing the ECM problem and causing the engine to misfire. They also say it needs to be repaired at a cost of $1800 and they really aren't positive it's the problem. In other words, they want to fix it, and then see if the problem recurs.

Even though they claim this is perhaps the problem, they cannot replicate the problem by messing with the wire harness area.

See my other post at: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=30619

Jeesh. HELP!!

Thoughts?

 

My thought is that your dealer is stumped and grasping at straws. If he found a wad of chewing gum near the ECM he might have blamed the malfunction on that.

"Not positive it's the problem" means "I'm guessing. I really have no idea."

If this were my car I would have lost confidence in the dealer's service department.