I was driving and my Service Enigne Soon light came on. I was being a dork in some gravel, going from reverse to drive, but the SES light didnt come on till about 5 miles down the road. Could my dumb driving be related? Also, the oil hasnt been changed in 5-6000 miles :-o (I know, i know. I'm changing it tomorrow) Will old oil turn on the SES light?

EDIT: I checked all fluids, they look ok. Should I go down to the Nissan dealer to pull the codes? Will they charge me my firstborn? Or will one of the local auto part stores be able to do it?

 

bump...

Can someone at least tell me how to pull the error codes? (I'd search, but alas, I can't)

 

Drive to Auto Zone and have them pull the code(s) for you, then you can begin to diagnose the problem.

 

Unfortunately autozone doesnt exist in my area. Schuck's has a reader (hopefully the right one), so can someone tell me where to plug it in?

 

Under the dashboard, to the left. Stick your head under and take a look.

 

5-6000miles isn't bad on most oils, check out the fluids and oils section

I would try to as others suggested to get a reading on the codes, then compare those codes to the ones in FAQ up above to help diagnose it. Post and keep us updated, we're here to help.

 

Thanks guys, I'm going down to rent the code-reader. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks for carin' and please excuse my blatant n00bness

 

Ok, I pulled a P138 from the ECU - Bank 1 o2 sensor high voltage. I cleared it and it didnt come back just driving around town. Maybe it was a fluke, or something (I think the o2 sensor(s) were replaced just before I got the car). At any rate, I'm just glad it's not thinking I'm misfiring or something.

Thanks for the help guys

 

here is a LINK you may want to check out. you are probably going to need it in the near future.

 

I couldnt open it, do you have another link to it?

(Acrobat reader said "there was a problem opening the document")

 

thats the only link ive got. i got it out of the stickies at the top under technical service bulletins (post 25) that should take you to studman's homepage where he has most the tsbs listed.

 

same thing happened with mine. my question is, is it possible it was a fluke that it triggered the light in the first place, or is it ineviditable that there is a problem. i had auto zone clear the error and it hasn't returned (yet).

 

glad to know I'm not the only one who's had this happen. How long ago did you clear the error kidcymucks?

 

right-click, save-as

 

You need to have Adobe installed in your PC to view the file...
get it from here

www.adobe.com

 

ok, save as worked... that's odd, but whatever. Thanks.

 

well just my luck the damn thing came back on again. i originally had it cleared last monday. so it stayed off for a week

 

hrmm... that doesnt make me so confident in my having "fixed" the problem...

So do we just have to replace the o2 sensor? Why does the TSB say the ecu needs reprogrammed? I'd really like to save some money if I have to fix this.

 

the sensor giving you to the code needs replacement but with nissan offering to replace both signals to me that the other will probably give way as well. the ecu flash supposedly changes some tolerances that keeps the sensor from malfunctioning in the future.

 

what are the long term implications of not having this fixed. i just purchased my extended warranty and now the darn light comes on. i don't want it to seem like it was a pre-existing condition.

 

I'm guessing worse gas mileage and the car will be less responsive, but i don't know anything. Just a guess.

(Mine's still driving fine, and hasn't thrown the code again since friday)

 

its a secondary o2 sensor so it does not affect air/fuel ratios therefore will not affect gas mileage or power. the secondary only monitors the precats.

 

from reading the various threads concerning the 02 sensors. that is without the ability to use the search feature, i'm wondering are these sensors actually going bad, or is the sensitivity just set too low?

i wish someone with searching capabilities would search for p0138 or oxygen (o2) sensor and post the links so i can read thru them. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

maybe the ecu is connected to a secret nissan wireless network which randomly makes cars think theyre broken, so the dealers have something to do! It's a gigantic scam!! ...ok sorry...just kidding.

yeah, I'm guessing my ecu wasnt reprogrammed, though the coil(s?) were replaced earlier this year. Should that require the reprogramming? If so, why would it have thrown a p0138?