Pre-purchase questions..

[climo]

I just test drove a 95 240SE with manual trans, ABS and LSD. I have a few questions to ask you guys before I buy it.

* O/D light on dash comes on when you start the engine but goes away. This makes me think it was a auto converted to manual. This dealer bought it this way so he has no clue.

* The check engine light is on. Wonder why? Could it be related to the trans swap maybe? Engine has 112k and looks pretty clean.

* The air bag light is flashing all the time. It appears the bags are there but it doesn't turn off.

* There is a plug underneath the car at the bellhousing that is dangling. Could this be something for the auto trans or maybe the new manual swap that did not get connected?

* The left side of the unibody has been dented upward towards the floorboard. No other witness marks either in front or behind to mimic a scraping . Looks like the car was dropped on something. Not the whole length but the rear portion of the unibody. Could this be a potential problem later?

He is willing to connect the car to a scanner but I just want to be sure and get a second opinion from you guys. what kind of codes are we looking at? Oh yeah, how do you read the codes from the ecu? I'm relatively new to nissans.

Since the clutch is slipping he is willing to replace the clutch, pp, and to bearing as part of the deal. The scan is also part of the deal. What could be the worst case scenerio on a trans swap gone bad?

Other than those items the interior is spotless leather. Very nice. Just the outside is a little rough. This swap thing has me a little nervous since the CEL and airbag light is on.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[MadChild]

Make the dealership run a dealership check up before you purchase the sweet car. Other wise if everything runs smoothly go for it man...If you have enought chase left over from the car you can do the SRSWAP man that would be tight. So light the dealship check everything over....

[96SEChick]

How much are they wanting for the car? The airbag light could be a sensor gone bad - which means the airbags may not deploy in case of an accident. It could also mean that the airbags have been removed and the sensor wasn't removed/disabled. The CEL and OD lights could be different things, or they could be connected if it's detecting something with the lack of the auto tranny if it was swapped. Print this next webpage out (the page I'm linking)

http://www.240sx.org/faq/articles/ecm_codes_doch.htm

It tells you the codes for the DOHC engine, print the page out and take it with you when the guy hooks the car to the scanner. I've reset my computer and read the codes through it, so I don't know how the code will show up on the scanner, though. But make sure you get the code before it's reset - you need to know why the CEL is on - it could be something simple, but it could also be expensive.

Good luck and come back if you have any further questions. :cool:

[climo]

It's just an independent used car lot. They bought it from the auction so they don't know the history.

What is this about switching out the ECU when swapping trans? So if you do the swap you must also change the ecu from a 5 speed? Maybe this is the reason why the CEL and Airbag lights are on. Does anyone know what symptoms will be displayed if the auto ecu was not switched with the manual one?

He agreed to scan the car prior to me purchasing it. This way I know what's wrong with it (hopefully). Repairing the codes is my problem.

Thanks 96SEChick for the ECU codes. I will take them with me. I was looking at reading the codes while I was there (incase the scan tool guy is not there) but it seems a little complicated. If it was not for the CEL and Airbag lights I would of bought the car tonight.

[mrmephistopheles]

personally, i'd stay away from it.

[Bill Roberts]

You should run a CARFAX or have the dealer do it. It is always nice to see what shows up.

[Mewt240]

I have carfax through 10/05. post the VIN and I'll post the results.
I'm a little skeptical of carfax though since I checked the VIN # of my 93 240 that was totalled in January. the report came back clean with NO records of any accidents. I had been in a few minor accidents with it before and none of them were reported on CARFAX.

[climo]

I ran a carfax and it came back good. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just as an update I'm not going to purchase this car. Too many little problems I don't want to deal with.

On a positive note I purchased a 98 Se from an older woman late saturday night. It's an automatic but I got it for a great price. It has a few more miles than I wanted but who cares...give me about 6 months and a fresh SR will be take its place. :D

[96SEChick]

Originally posted by climo
I ran a carfax and it came back good. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just as an update I'm not going to purchase this car. Too many little problems I don't want to deal with.

On a positive note I purchased a 98 Se from an older woman late saturday night. It's an automatic but I got it for a great price. It has a few more miles than I wanted but who cares...give me about 6 months and a fresh SR will be take its place. :D

Congrats on the new purchase!! Take care of her and she will take care of you. Can't wait to see pics!