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Car Forum / Nissan / Nissan Maxima / May 2006

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$140 labor charge to reprogram ECU on P0420 Code?

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Steel Cutlass - 04 Nov 2003 22:57 GMT
On my 2001 Nissan Maxima SE with 47000 miles, the Check Engine Soon light
came on and stayed on. I took my car to my local Nissan dealer today.
Here's the Service Invoice:

A CUST STATES CK ENG LIGHT IS ON CH AND ADVISE
     989 PULLED CODE P0420 PERFORMED CKS ECU
         NEEDS REPROGRAMMED REPROGRAMMED ECU
         CLEARED CODE TEST DROVE AUTO GOOD
          496   CN 2.00             140.00          140.00

LABOR AMOUNT    $140.00

TOTAL CHARGES   $140.00

I was charged for 2 hours labor at $70/hour for a firmware change.
My car is not under an extended warranty. I was told there was actually
nothing else wrong. Just that the ECU needed to be reprogrammed. Is this code
for the 2001 Nissan Maxima SE under a Nissan service bulletin? If it is under
a service bulletin, should I have been charged for the $140 labor for
the reprogramming? Has this happened to anybody else?
ronm - 05 Nov 2003 00:37 GMT
> On my 2001 Nissan Maxima SE with 47000 miles, the Check Engine Soon light
> came on and stayed on. I took my car to my local Nissan dealer today.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> a service bulletin, should I have been charged for the $140 labor for
> the reprogramming? Has this happened to anybody else?

You might think about buying a code reader as it also can clear the
problem  code turning off the light. This is really all your Nissan
service Dept. people did and charged you the $140. It's an Nissan auto
computer ripoff as with all the Auto companies.
This is just an example
http://www.toolsource.com/ost1//product.asp?brand_id=&sourceid=NO%20SOURCE&dept_
id=500&pf_id=91208&mscssid=N7BA1QXV16T12GMU00J74FSAN12R4X79


ronm
Neil P - 05 Nov 2003 14:30 GMT
A scan tool would enable anyone to pull the code and clear the code, but the work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU.  Unless
you have the Nissan Scan tool you cannot reprogram (plus having the latest firmware) the ECU.

ECU updates as far as I know is covered under the emission warranty which I think is 8 yr or 80K.  Besides that there is a TSB for the P0420
code.

Check out: maxima.org go to the 5th gen forum and on top you will see a sticky with TSB, spend some time collecting them (printing) and keep
for future problems.

Neil

> > On my 2001 Nissan Maxima SE with 47000 miles, the Check Engine Soon light
> > came on and stayed on. I took my car to my local Nissan dealer today.
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> ronm
ronm - 05 Nov 2003 16:35 GMT
Why should the owner be stuck with paying for the software upgrade?
Seems Nissan is just letting their dealers rake in some extra cash for
fixing something that should be covered under warranty.
ronm

> A scan tool would enable anyone to pull the code and clear the code, but
> the work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU.  Unless
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
>>
>> ronm
Neil P - 05 Nov 2003 18:11 GMT
He shouldnt have and should contact corporate nissan and create a stink .. but first .. locate the TSB that relates to the P0420 plus the fact that
the ECU changes is part of the emission warranty.  Not many folks know this and thus the stealerships take advantage of this and rake in the extra
money.

neil

> Why should the owner be stuck with paying for the software upgrade?
> Seems Nissan is just letting their dealers rake in some extra cash for
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
> >>
> >> ronm
Steel Cutlass - 05 Nov 2003 20:19 GMT
I just called my local Nissan dealership. They stated that the ECU
re-programming I had done for $140 was NOT covered by the 8yr/80K emission
warranty. He also said he was aware of the technical service bulletin regarding
such a repair. He implied that there was a Nissan bulletin stating
that this reprogramming would not be covered under the emissions warranty.

Am I just flat out of luck?

> A scan tool would enable anyone to pull the code and clear the code, but the work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU.  Unless
> you have the Nissan Scan tool you cannot reprogram (plus having the latest firmware) the ECU.
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> --
ronm - 05 Nov 2003 21:42 GMT
> I just called my local Nissan dealership. They stated that the ECU
> re-programming I had done for $140 was NOT covered by the 8yr/80K emission
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Am I just flat out of luck?

Go online at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ and post a statment about Nissan
and your dealer.
ronm

>>A scan tool would enable anyone to pull the code and clear the code, but the work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU.  Unless
>>you have the Nissan Scan tool you cannot reprogram (plus having the latest firmware) the ECU.
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>>
>>--
Miles Teg - 06 Nov 2003 02:09 GMT
    The fact that there is a TSB does not mean getting the work
done will be free.  Only repairs covered by a warranty are not subject
to charges.  There is a TSB I recently experienced about the rotors
warping, and if you're not under warranty, you're better off getting
it done somewhere other than the dealer, or replacing the rotors
altogether.
    I've called several dealers and Nissan, and there seems to be
no consensus as to TSB work being done free.  I have found dealers who
charge and dealers who don't. Corporate said TSBs were information
releases only and did not constitute a recall issue (which would be
free).
    I would do some calling around next time something goes wrong,
and see if you can find a more customer service oriented dealer.
They're hard to find, but they are out there....

>I just called my local Nissan dealership. They stated that the ECU
>re-programming I had done for $140 was NOT covered by the 8yr/80K emission
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
>>
>> --
Daniel - 06 Nov 2003 03:58 GMT
">
> You might think about buying a code reader as it also can clear the
> problem  code turning off the light.

No, dont get a code reader. For 20$   get  the HAynes manual. It describes
how to get all the codes with a simple screwdriver, along with all the other
maintenance procedures on your Max.
Neil P - 06 Nov 2003 14:29 GMT
The screw driver technique is only good for the 4th gen. and below max not the
5th and 6th.

Neil

> ">
> > You might think about buying a code reader as it also can clear the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> how to get all the codes with a simple screwdriver, along with all the other
> maintenance procedures on your Max.
Steel Cutlass - 06 Nov 2003 19:01 GMT
Great News! A full refund of my $140 is coming!

I called Nissan USA Consumer Affairs at 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261)
and described my repair to them. They said that this repair should indeed
have been covered under my "8 yr or 80K" warranty.
They called my local dealer almost immediately and told them to refund
my money. Nissan Consumer Affairs then called me back and told me
to expect a call from the dealership. I waited a couple of hours and
just called the dealership back myself. They said, yes, they did make a
mistake. This particular repair is covered under the emissions warranty.
They said they will have a refund check issued in a couple of weeks.
They stated that they were just unaware that this ECU reprogramming should
have been covered under warranty.

Thank you NeilP, ronm, and MilesTes for your input. You saved me $140
that was incorrectly charged to me by my local Nissan dealer.

Note: The Nissan Consumer Affairs people were extremely helpful and
gracious! I was very, very impressed.
ronm - 06 Nov 2003 19:35 GMT
> Great News! A full refund of my $140 is coming!
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Note: The Nissan Consumer Affairs people were extremely helpful and
> gracious! I was very, very impressed.

I am very happy Nissan took this needed action. Your dealer needs to be
informed that they should not try to gouge people who need help and
trust in them.
ronm
Neil P - 06 Nov 2003 20:20 GMT
goood .... glad to know you got your $ back, I am guessing most dealers try to
get away with it and most customers are not informed ... its a shame ....

if you look up in  your warranty book,  you will see that the emission
warranty is 8yr/80K and the ECU is covered by this, which is an expensive
item.  Any upgrades in firmware is a warranty service and not a maintenance
service.  The engine and tranny is covered by 6yr/60K, with that, you take the
900 to 1200 most dealers want for extended warranty and place in a CD, if you
need for anything within that time the 900-1200 will cover you.

like i mentioned before, read up maxima.org and print out all the TSB
regarding your car and be informed when a problem come up and know how much
you are covered before stepping foot in a dealership.

good luck to ya and beers all around? :)

neil p

> Great News! A full refund of my $140 is coming!
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> Note: The Nissan Consumer Affairs people were extremely helpful and
> gracious! I was very, very impressed.
MikeM2006 - 09 May 2006 21:36 GMT
Help!  How did you get NISSAN to back you with the dealer????  I'm having
EXACTLY the same problem right now, and NISSAN is saying the Emissions
Control Warranty DOES NOT apply!!!

Any chance you could send me (or post) your File Case Number?   Or the
person you spoke with?  (Thanks in Advance!)  
MikeM2006 - 09 May 2006 21:47 GMT
Help!  How did you get NISSAN to back you with the dealer????  I'm having
EXACTLY the same problem right now, and NISSAN is saying the Emissions
Control Warranty DOES NOT apply!!!

Any chance you could send me (or post) your File Case Number?   Or the
person you spoke with?  (Thanks in Advance!)  
vander@netscape.com - 11 May 2006 19:48 GMT
There is a technical service bulletin out on that problem - I brought
a copy of it to my dealer and gave it to the service writer. I also
had a code reader and told them that it was a 0420 failure. I think i
got the copy off a link on maxima.org

They fixed it free, and commented that I should be a Nisan Tech,,LOL

Only applies to california emission 2000 v6, and only if you are still
under the emmision warantee - which I think is 60,000 miles?

That code reader was the best money I ever spent,,,,never go into a
dealer without knowing first why that light is on....

>Help!  How did you get NISSAN to back you with the dealer????  I'm having
>EXACTLY the same problem right now, and NISSAN is saying the Emissions
>Control Warranty DOES NOT apply!!!
>
>Any chance you could send me (or post) your File Case Number?   Or the
>person you spoke with?  (Thanks in Advance!)  
Bob - 12 May 2006 15:15 GMT
    Lines Deleted
> That code reader was the best money I ever spent,,,,never go into a
> dealer without knowing first why that light is on....

which code reader ?
vander@netscape.com - 14 May 2006 00:10 GMT
mine is called a car.tool u10 Tech  ODBII

got it on E bay for 21 dollars, but both checker and autozone carry
the identical item.

>     Lines Deleted
>> That code reader was the best money I ever spent,,,,never go into a
>> dealer without knowing first why that light is on....
>
>which code reader ?
Wiikinki - 11 May 2006 10:17 GMT
Re: $140 labor charge to reprogram ECU on P0420 Code

ECU Reprogram? Which vehicle youre talkin about? Nissan Field Service Manuals are totally absent on this issue - how the techs then are supposed to 'reprogram' ECU ?? Find the non-answers via top left 'Favorite Links', clic on link below. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/1 However, on later maxima models ECU has a self learn protocol, seek out

The charge i$$ue is total balooney, as no reprogram exists ... or if does, pls tell your
- current HW revision,
- SW revison fitting current firmware AND sw,
- what is the upgrade(s) that will patch your EC
- what errors this upgrade addresse
- where is the lists and sources for these upgrade
- the whole 'Nissan' reprogram program: what is it, who oversees what where..
- how, what and why is don

Luckily bill gates has not yet total ctrl on Nissan's. If it was so, I'd already have multiple instances where a virus from Ford had jumped on my ECU, I'f been franctically trying to connect Microsoft support center for new sw-patch update to get ECU runnin just to go home... and would possibly have received similar answer as our Net-Software Manager got: "sorry, we support only games" (authentic MS-answer for acute corporate network problem)

--
Wiikinki
www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/
Wiikinki - 12 May 2006 07:54 GMT
There is a technical service bulletin out on that problem ..
What is the number for this TSB

--
Wiikinki
www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/
Wiikinki - 14 May 2006 13:22 GMT
Hey I gave you the info ... and what the hell is that rant you posted,,?
- no, you didnt give no. -or- source, just TSB hint
- I dug out the TSB number and source, you did not
- sorry, hell has no info, TSB or NTB - just constant firing. Keep out
- the NTB address I pasted, appears broken, if u cannot repair tHat, cannot hlp, sorr

--
Wiikinki
www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/
Wiikinki - 15 May 2006 12:30 GMT
Yes sure but that doesnt help u now or eternally. Swap forum if u want to shine with more psychoanalysis. I am here to help ppl - only with vehicle facts. The End

--
Wiikinki
www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/
Wiikinki - 18 May 2006 08:46 GMT
Babble aside, info I gave is accurate, available at links I dug out for MikeM2006. For the NTB00006 one needs (?) to pay, at least I have not found it available for free... it seems to contain the issues I adressed like: ECU P/N changes by software updates (stupid record keeping method, btw)

As Mike didnt give out his vehicle model, one has to repeat that NTB note "In–vehicle ECM reprogramming is available to update the ECM of certain 1999 vehicles‚ and all 2000 and later vehicles·" Reversed, earlier models dont have this programmability. http://www.nissan–techinfo.com/nissan/TS

--
Wiikinki
www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/
 
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