Hello all, this is my 1st post here! Yesterday I went to a local dealer to take a look at a 2000 gxe 5speed w/72k miles. When the car first started the engine stumbled for about 5 seconds, then seemingly evened out - however when I gave the engine a little gas, the car shook noticably at around 1600-1800 rpm, and I thought the engine was still not running as smooth as it should. At this time the "check engine" light came on. Still, I took the car out for a 10min test drive, during which the engine smoothed out completly. I decided to start the car up again to see if the problem recurrs - this time it started up fine, no shakes or stumbles, but a check engine light on as soon as I start the engine. The car seems to be running fine, no hesitation, very smooth and quite peppy even compared to my current 95 bmw 530. The oil looks good and clean, other fluids look good, temp guage is slightly below middle,gas is close to "e".

I did some research and tried to reset the check engine light / obtain fault code with procedures listed at http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/ecu.html As I found out, unfortunately, the ecu is different on the 2000 and is missing the forementioned self mode diagnosis screw (just empty space inside) , so no codes and could not reset the light This is where I turn to the board memebers for help - I really want this car, but do not want to buy a lemon. What could be the likely cause of the check engine light to be on with the symptoms described? Thank you all in advance for your imput!

 

tell the dealer to pull the codes on the car. even if the ses goes off, the code is still stored. most likely, it will show P1320 which is a bad coil(s). if you really want the car, haggle to the price you want and make it a stipulation that all 6 coils are replaced because if you just do one or two then the others will fail eventually.

 

Man, the dealer is so stupid. Don't they have the tools to fix it, remove the Check Engine light, before they sell it? HELLO? Sometimes I just don't know what to think of them...

 

i very much agree with him that they are the coils. if you wanna go with the cheaper method just go and replace the coils that are bad.

 

thanx for your replies! the dealer said he would fix the check engine light problem and i have it in writing - just wanted to find out what you guys think. could he somehow temporairly "get around" replacing the coils, have the problem recurr later on and make me deal with it?

 

Sure, he could just reset the light and sell it to you without fixing the problem. The coils as they go do just what you reported. But it doesn't happen all the time. When mine started to go, I only had the rough starts and the check engine light every 3-4 months.

Make sure they show you the code and prove they fix the problem. If it is p1320, and I bet it is, make sure they change all 6 coils, even if they try to tell you only one is bad. First its hard to tell exactly which coil is bad and in general the coils for the 2000-01 are all defective. Therefore, you need 6 new ones!

Good luck!

 

What is the asking price???
I have 116000 on mine love it
Mine is only worth $4800 to carmax.
hige milage

 

I paid $12995 for mine @ 54000 miles.

http://members.aol.com/arenea74/maxback.jpg

 

thanx for the heads up, sascuderi - i'll make sure he'll show me the code. the car is a 2000gxe with 72k miles on it with an asking price of $8900

 

hey - how would I go around checking the code myself? i looked at the procedure where you put the ecu in a diagnostic mode, but this car's ecu does not have the required screw! a code scanner perhaps? where would I plug it in?

 

Yes, an OBDII scanner, look under the steering wheel for a connector.

 

Just make sure they don't fix it by taking the SES light bulb out. It should light up when you turn the key to to run position and go out once the engine is started if there are no hard codes set.

 

Thank you all once again, I'll let you know how things went.

 

turned out to be the oxygen sensor - im a pround owner of a maxima now! need to do routine maintenence - fluids, filters etc. hopefully i can post pictures soon. what spark plugs can you recommend besides nissans?

 

congrats on the new car

 

$8900 is a good price.
00 GXE 5sp, That's what I have
Bought mine 15 months ago with 47k miles for $11k.
It now has 75k already.

Since then I have changed the tranny oil with Redline MT-90,
oil changes with Mobil 1 5W30 every 7k miles or so. Also changed
brake fluid and flush radiator at PepBoys.

I just replaced all 6 coils and spark plugs myself couple weeks ago.
Mine has never thrown a check engine light but it pings and hesitates under
moderate load. It is now smooth as new.

As for plugs, just stick with OEM which are NGK platinums.
Although it is a 100k mile item, I would change it now.

 

Tlked the dealer down to 8600 for EVERYTHING including tax and registration! Thanx for your tips, already changed oil it was 1.5 quarts overfilled(!!!) when I got it, but judging by residual window stickers it was changed on regular basis. Oh yea, I but the good stuff in - M1 synthetic 5w30

 

Good Luck, enjoy, but drive safe!

 

that's great, good job getting it check out and getting the oxygen sensor replace. You'll appreciate your max for many years down the road.