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Car Forum / Nissan / Nissan Maxima / January 2005

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Service engine soon = Diag code P0420

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Patrick - 03 Jan 2005 02:55 GMT
I have a 2001 with about 55k miles on it.  The other day the service engine
light came on so I took it over to the local AutoZone who pulled the P0420
code from the computer.

The error as described is, "The PCM has determined that the catalyst system
efficiency for bank 1 is below threshold for the current engine operating
conditions."

All well in good but what the heck does that mean.  I checked and there
seems to be a TSB for my situation but I have no idea of the details of the
TSB other then the generic text on the NHTSA website.  Nissan's TSB search
gives a little more but not enough.

Can anyone provide any insight?

Thanks,
Patrick
JimV - 03 Jan 2005 04:18 GMT
> I have a 2001 with about 55k miles on it.  The other day the service engine
> light came on so I took it over to the local AutoZone who pulled the P0420
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Thanks,
> Patrick

I believe the TSB calls for a reprogram of the ECM. You can get the full
text of the TSB from Nissan's publications site:
http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissan/TSB/Dec/NIndex.asp?mscssid=
If it's out of warranty, I'd reset it and see if it comes back.

-jim
Patrick - 04 Jan 2005 00:48 GMT
I went to the local library today and pulled the TSB for this issue. You are
correct.  The TSB states...

"SERVICE INFORMATION
If an applied 2000-2001 Maxima has a MIL "ON" with DTC P0420 (Three Way
Catalyst Function) stored in the ECM, it may be the result of an internal
ECM Program Misdiagnosis.

The catalyst should not be replaced. This bulletin provides updated ECM data
to reprogram the vehicle's ECM to correct the condition."

I'm going to head back down the AutoZone and have the code cleared.

Thanks for the insight.

Patrick

> > I have a 2001 with about 55k miles on it.  The other day the service engine
> > light came on so I took it over to the local AutoZone who pulled the P0420
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> -jim
Dan - 04 Jan 2005 01:17 GMT
> I went to the local library today and pulled the TSB for this issue. You are
> correct.  The TSB states...
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Patrick

I wouldn't do that quite yet ...
Both the ECU and the catalyst system are covered by the Federal
8/80 Emissions warranty (check the warranty book that came with
your car). Many people have had Nissan pull the code and reflash
the computer for free well after the 3/36 warranty has expired.
Call up your dealer, tell them the code and  that you're aware
of the TSB, and ask them if they'll cover it under the Federal
Emissions Warranty. If they won't, call Nissan USA and complain.
That should be enough. But if they try to play hardball, tell
them you're calling the EPA (800 number is in your warranty book).
BTW, that TSB only applies to California emissions vehicles, but
I believe all 2001's are California spec.
Patrick - 04 Jan 2005 23:08 GMT
Dan,
   Talked to my dealership today regarding the below issue and they
indicated that this would in fact be covered by the emissions warranty if
the issue was in fact as I described to them.  I'll be taking it in this
Saturday to have a go at it.

Patrick

> > I went to the local library today and pulled the TSB for this issue. You are
> > correct.  The TSB states...
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> BTW, that TSB only applies to California emissions vehicles, but
> I believe all 2001's are California spec.
RomanL - 10 Jan 2005 14:19 GMT
Hi,
I have a 2000 Maxima and the same code came up when i went to AutoZone, my
question is were you having any problems with your RPMs, becaue mine seem
to go down below 500 and sometimes the car even stoles if i tap the gas
above 2000 rpms while the car is pared or in nutral?
Thank you
amdpowernews@yahoo.com - 11 Jan 2005 23:58 GMT
I did not experience any performance issues.  The car still ran like a
champ.

An update:  I took my maxima in last Saturday and they reprogrammed
the ECM and covered it under warranty.

Thanks

Patrick

>Hi,
>I have a 2000 Maxima and the same code came up when i went to AutoZone, my
>question is were you having any problems with your RPMs, becaue mine seem
>to go down below 500 and sometimes the car even stoles if i tap the gas
>above 2000 rpms while the car is pared or in nutral?
>Thank you
 
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