coryg

Hope to get some good help here:

The car is a 2000 I30t with 62k. The Service Engine Light came on so I took it to the dealer who want 1 hour of labor to read the code. Took it to Autozone who pulled the P0420 code quickly but still no closer to getting this resolved.

Any help on getting this resolved is appreciated. I don't want to take it back to the dealer, while I'm sure they'll fix it, would be very expensive.

Thanks for your help.

Mikeb120

I have a 00 Maxima and have had the same code...I asusme they are the same codes.....in the 5th gen max in means there is a cat coverter issue. But ultimately there is not and all you need is to have the computer re-programmed. There is a TSB for this issue in regards to the Maxima. I don't know about the i30. For maxima this issue is covered under the Emmisions warranty.. I assume that would be the case for the i30 as well. GOOD LUCK!!! oh and if its covered under warranty there should be NO diagontic fee..

Mike

hasei

iTrader: (5)

It's the same thing as 5th Gen. Maximas' P0420 issue.
Most probably you need to either: (1) reprogram the ECU; or (2) reprogram the ECU and replace the catalytic converter. I have a 2000 I30 and just got it fixed (just the ECU) about a month ago by an Infiniti dealer under warranty.

I've seen many discussions around 5th Gen. Forum whether or not this P0420 issue is covered under Federal Emission Warranty. I think in the end it depends on what your Infiniti dealer says if your I30 is no longer covered under Infiniti warranty.

Mikeb120

Well I had the PO420 code as well and it was covered at the nissan dealer under the 80k emmisions warranty. The service guy at the dealer told me that as long as its still under 80k..its covered...
Good Luck

coryg

Thanks everyone! I called the Infiniti Dealer back and they are going to take the care and cover it under warranty if it is indeed the ECM or the cat. I'll give an update after I get the car back.

Mikeb120

Remember: MAke sure not to let them charge you for the diagnoses...that fee should be waived if its covered under warranty...

hasei

iTrader: (5)

Also make sure that Autozone didn't clear the ECU and you still have the P0420 code stored.

coryg

Autozone didn't clear the code on my request.

I took the care in this afternoon to the dealer and spoke with the service manager. Issue quickly resolved. Ended up being an O2 and on of the pre-cats I believe. No cost to me.

Thanks for the help.

Darslid

My girlfriend has the same problem with her I30. The light came on at 77K miles and I fought long and hard with them saying that it should be covered under the warrenty. I even called corporate...no go, So back in April she had to pay for pulling the code and re-programming the ECM. They said their is no warranty for this car past 60k I think.

Saturday the Light came back on and she brought it back to them today. I just got off the phone with them and they said the "front exhaust tube" needs to be replaced along with the 02 sensor that is there. They say there are deposist build up in the pipe and this was the next step. Also want to charge almost 1200 dollars for this!

I have a couple questions:
(a) do you think i can just replace the 02 sensor...
(b) which pipe is the "front exhaust tube" itself and why are they charging 900 dollars for parts (he said it was between the manifold and cat) Is it behind the y?
(c) do you think a exhaust place can just replace the tube and throw a o2 sensor there or possibly something i can do myself?

Thanks for your help!

Jason

hasei

iTrader: (5)

Do you know what the code was this time?

Darslid

It was the same code as last time, P0420.

Oh didn't tell you what it was the last time, but it is the same as coryg got.

Thanks again,

Jason

hasei

iTrader: (5)

From Alldata.com

> P0420
>
> On Board Diagnosis Logic The ECM monitors the
> switching frequency ratio of front and rear heated
> oxygen sensors. A warm-up three way catalyst with
> high oxygen storage capacity will indicate a low
> switching frequency of rear heated oxygen sensor.
> As oxygen storage capacity decreases, the rear
> heated oxygen sensor switching frequency will
> increase. When the frequency ratio of front and
> rear heated oxygen sensors approaches a specified
> limit value, the warm-up three way catalyst
> malfunction is diagnosed. Malfunction is detected
> when warm-up three way catalyst does not operate
> properly, warm-up three way catalyst does not have
> enough oxygen storage capacity.
>
> Possible Cause
> Warm-up three way catalyst
> Exhaust tube
> Intake air leaks
> Injectors Injector leaks
> Spark plug
> Improper ignition timing

It seems that there are other causes.
I'm not saying that your dealer is wrong, but if I were you I would just replace O2 sensors and see what happens, unless I clearly see dents (or holes) in the said pipe. I wonder if they actually saw the "deposits" in the pipe. After all 1200 bucks is a lot of money.

Darslid

Thanks for the reply! I wondered the samething...how they "saw" these deposists. I think I will take a look at it this weekend see if I see any apparent damage/deposists and replace the 02 sensors.

I am sure this questions been asked before but do you happen to know the best place to get new 02 sensors at a good price?

Thanks again for all your help!


Jason

hasei

iTrader: (5)

There is a group deal of oxygen sensors going on here:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=289189

Also there is a P0420 discussion in 5th Gen. Forum here:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=289375

Good luck