Check Engine Light

[96SEChick]

My car has been running just fine--idles perfect 99% of the time, decent gas mileage, etc.--and my stupid check enging light came on last night.  I bogged my car last night (on accident of course--why would I do it on purpose? :confused: ) and the stupid light came on and it hasn't gone off since.  My car is still running like it was before, but I have no idea why the #### thing is on!

Anyone have any ideas? &nbsp;How do you check the ECU codes? &nbsp;I'M TIRED OF SHIT GOING WRONG WITH MY CAR!!! &nbsp;Every month something new goes wrong with my car! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

Thanks for your help!

Wow, you really are mad - posting on 2 forums for this one... &nbsp;I gave you the direct link in my response at FA but here it is again: http://www.240sx.org/faq/articles/ecm_codes_doch.htm

[96SEChick]

Thanks MaxType. &nbsp;I was tracking that FAQ down when you were replying to my problem. &nbsp;Yeah, I'm pretty ticked-off. &nbsp;My car has been in the shop 3 times in 5 months (for tranny and clutch problems) and now this comes up. &nbsp;I'm thinking about selling her. &nbsp;I can't afford to keep my car up--I'm still having tranny problems (clunk while shifting into 1st &amp; 2nd), get a new clutch, have to get my clutch lines RE-bled (was done when the new master &amp; slave cylinders were installed, but there's air pockets in the resevoir again), new shocks &amp; struts, new exhaust, new timing chains, and fix oil leaks in front cover &amp; oil pan. &nbsp;I only have 69000 miles on my car and I've only put 6000 on it myself. &nbsp;I bought the car knowing it had a clunk while shifting (diagnosed as possibly syncros), but all of this just keeps coming up! &nbsp;I have an extended warranty on my car, but I'm still having to come up w/ the $100 deductible per component replaced and my clutch parts aren't covered. &nbsp;ARG!!! &nbsp;Sorry I just had to vent. &nbsp;

Once again, thanks for your prompt reply. &nbsp;Has anybody had to check their codes? &nbsp;Do you have any tips that aren't covered under the 240sx.org FAQ?

[mrace240sx]

Im sorry to hear about your problems 96sechick.
Why did you have to have the timing chain replaced at 69k? They are supposed to go 100k and Ive known a few to go 120k+. As for the tranny and clutch, Ive got 73k on my '97 and have never had a problem with either, and I drive it like a monster most of the time.
The only thing I can think of is that the previous owner never did any of the required maintenance on the car <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
Have you tried other mechanics, the dealership, second oppinions and all that? I just hope they arent taking you for a ride. 69k should be practically new for our car.

Here is a pretty good maint schedule I found on line, its a bit different than the one I got when I bought my car but it is very close.

http://nissan.mossy.com/service/svc_240sx.asp

But it sounds to me like you are doing alot of stuff that *shouldnt* need to be done if the car was properly maintained. New shocks &amp; struts at 69k? Oil leaks? Master and Slave cylinder? That all just sounds crazy to me.

Oh and if you are having the clutch lines re-bled, take it to the same place, bitch and complain, and try to get them to do it for free, tell them they must have screwed it up the first time if they replaced that stuff and you still have air pockets.

Anyways, good luck and dont sell your car, once you get it back up to spec your costs should go down.

Cheers

[96SEChick]

I finally got the ECU out and the code was 5-5, so I guess my car just decided to have a momentary mental problem last night. &nbsp;Thanks for the help mrace!

Yeah, I found out the hard way that my car hadn't been properly maintained (obviously, look at everything that needs to be fixed). &nbsp;I've already called the dealership about the air pockets in the clutch fluid reservoir and they're re-doing it for free on Tuesday. &nbsp;I've done a bit of research on the timing chains &amp; guides because of the clatter I have. &nbsp;People on 240sx.org and the techs &amp; service managers at the 3 Nissan dealerships in Tulsa recommend having the timing chains &amp; guides replaced at 60000miles because the guides from the factory are actually plastic and they begin to disintegrate and can cause serious problems. &nbsp;The guides they replace them with are now metal, so they will last the rest of the life of the car. &nbsp;Luckily, it's covered under my extended warranty <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

I'm just very glad that nothing was seriously wrong w/ the CEL on. &nbsp;Maybe it's just my imagination, too, but I drove my car around a bit after resetting the ECU and then smelled my exhaust and it smells like it's not burning rich like it was before. &nbsp;The fumes smelled much cleaner. &nbsp;Could this be possible? &nbsp;Or am I just crazy? &nbsp;Or both? &nbsp;hehe

Actually, shocks/struts are recommeded (by dealer) to replace every 60k.
96SEChick - how much did you pay for the timing chain assembly job? &nbsp;I'm doing it soon (hopefully under warranty). &nbsp;

[96SEChick]

I haven't done the timing chain yet. &nbsp;It's supposed to be covered under my extended warranty, so hopefully it will only cost me $100 (my deductible). &nbsp;The dealer is going to try to get my front cover oil leak fixed under the same claim (since the parts will already be removed for the timing chain replacement) so I don't have to pay for another deductible for that repair. &nbsp;I haven't pursued it further since I don't even have the first $100. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

[amir]

se96chick jus to let you know you dont really need to change your timing chain its meant to live along as the car.... besides your car is not making big hp

[96SEChick]

Actually, Nissan recommends to have the timing chain replaced around 60000 miles (at least the guides anyway) because the guides installed from the factory are plastic so they tend to wear out and disintegrate. &nbsp;The replacement guides are now made of metal so they will last the rest of the car's life.

OwoOWoowoW so many car problems <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> i know da feeling, well i'm so serious about looking into getting a 2002 Sentra S-ER now, its gonna be 6 speed, 175 hp 175 torque, 0-60 in about 6.8, limited slip, and all da fun stuff, im lookin forward to given this car up, but i will consider one down the road for.......... A PrOjEcT

[amir]

yeah thats true about the guide but maybe its the oxygen sensor dued to moisture in the sensor