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My '02 Sentra seems to be possessed....please help! Forums > > My '02 Sentra seems to be possessed....please help! My '02 Sentra seems to be possessed....please help!
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  #1  
Old 07-04-2007, 12:55 PM
Whangdoodle
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Question My '02 Sentra seems to be possessed....please help!

I am new to the forum, so before I start complaining, I would just like to say hello to everyone.

I bought my '02 Sentra GXE back in Novemeber '06 used with only 40,000 miles. I didn't have any problems with until about 3 months ago when the Check Engine Light went on and I started stalling at lights and stop signs. I took it to the mechanic and the code for the MAF sensor came up so it was replaced. A few days later, the same code came up and the MAF was replaced again. The car ran fine for a few weeks and then I had the same problem. However, this time when I would start the car, the RPMs would go up really high and then the car would just stall. The mechanic did some research and decided that it was the Throttle Position sensor causing the problem. The sensor was replaced. The car ran fine for a while and then I had the same problem. The Throttle Position Sensor was replaced again. For the last few months, this car has been having the same problem over and over again. I have had the sensor replaced and adjusted many times. The car will run fine for a week or two and then act up again. At this point, I am losing patience with it. I am really hoping that someone on this forum can help me because I don't want to have to trade it in. When it isn't acting up, it's a great car.
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  #2  
Old 07-04-2007, 02:06 PM
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How your mechanic checked for codes lately, or he has just replaced the TPS based on previous repairs. You should start by reading the codes first, because the problem may not be related to the TPS or the MAF.

Here is a list of bulletins related to engine problems for Sentra models: Engine Performance Problems Nissan Sentra
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  #3  
Old 07-04-2007, 02:07 PM
FieldRun
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The car is not possessed, that only happens in the movies. The Diagnostic Trouble Codes do not clearly specify a defective component such as a MAF sensor or Throttle Positon sensor, the DTCs will indicate a general system that is not working correctly. The service tech then has to systematically conduct several direct tests to determine the exact part that is causing the trouble code to be set. Of course you have seen what happens when the mechanic misdiagnoses the problem. If your mechanic has already changed several expensive parts multiple times and has not fixed the problem, may I suggest that you locate a different mechanic, one that comes with a recommendation from a trusted friend. The car is not spooked, but maybe the mechanic is. Suggest you exorcise him and find a qualified mechanic. Good luck.
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  #4  
Old 07-07-2007, 03:22 PM
BWnissan
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Hi!

It is possible that you may have problem with ECM.
Please read my story:
At first the check engine light went on about year ago. After my car was serviced for oil change Somerset Nissan Dealership no one from the service guys inspected the check engine light...this is supposedly required by law during any maintenance. Still at the service I heard another guy asking about the same problem; the answer was: "if the engine runs good the light will go off itself!..."-Somerset Nissan in NJ. No one informed me about the recall P3163; they only told me that they can check it for $90. The same in Winder I have noticed that the air conditions turns on when the turn on the heater, so I took out the air-condition fuse. This spring my warranty has ended and I got a bigger problem: after my air condition was serviced my mechanic told me that there is probably an electrical problem and this is the reason the air-con does not work. I went to a private electrician and he confirmed that it has to be ECM. Now once a while I can not even start the car because all instruments malfunction.
After I called Nissan Service they still forgot about the recall P3163. Instead, they gave me an estimate that to check engine light it is about $90, to check air condition it could be up to $220, but if there is issue with ECM they will charge me additional $560 for ECM $180 for reprogramming and I am not sure how much more for the labor.

Next week I am going for the service so I will see how they will handle this problem.
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  #5  
Old 07-07-2007, 05:19 PM
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It could be an ecm issue or a wiring issue. Both are common on the sentras 2000-2003.
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  #6  
Old 10-14-2007, 11:24 AM
dba
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I'm having the same exact problem with my '02 Sentra. I went through heck and found out my ECM was bad. Replaced it after terrible service and lies from Nissan Corporate who denied they put out thousands of bad ECM's and tried to cover it up with the money-making ECM Foam recall. At any rate, after I replaced the ECM, the MAF P0102 code came up, which has a TSB in alldata to replace the MAF. Well, I replaced the MAF. Now, the MIL does not come on(at least yet), but it stalls at idle after I rev it up. I'm not about to buy another MAF and am wondering what else controls the idle, or do I need to do the volume learning procedure as I did when I replaced the ECM.

Original poster: Did you ever find a solution to the problem?
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  #7  
Old 10-16-2007, 08:14 AM
nachtfrau
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I am having the same issue with my 02' SE-R. Yet mine is intermittent. It will come and go. Replaced MAF, and about to replace the entire Throttle Body Assembly, as well as have the dealer remove the foam backing on the ECM which is causing the inside of the car to smell quite bad.

The foam removal on the back of the ECM is free of charge because it's part of a recall, however the Throttle Body Assembly cost me $320 from a junkyard, much better than $800 installed by the dealer. Post up and let us know if you get it resolved. I'd like to know if removing that foam backing helps.

EDIT: Just read the above post, hope that foam recall isn't BS and will help the problem at least...

Last edited by nachtfrau; 10-16-2007 at 08:18 AM.
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  #8  
Old 10-16-2007, 09:23 AM
dba
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The foam recall is not making your car smell. It SUPPOSEDLY emits sulphur gas in the ECM box and makes the ECM go bad. However, they do not remove the foam under the ECM. It is most likely an excuse for a bad batch of ECM's and MAF's. Instead of Nissan losing money and being forced to replace them, they make money by going to the NHSTA with the "foam" recall. Then they systematically deny the foam caused ECM's to go bad even though they don't notify customers to come in for the removal. It is an expert system for making money. I have reported this to the NHSTA.
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  #9  
Old 10-16-2007, 12:27 PM
nachtfrau
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Have you asked the dealer about removing the "foam"? If so what do they say? "Oh of course sir, no problem, we'll remove that for you!" What happens when I put the recall information in front of the service manager and tell him to fix the issue? They'll re-learn it for me? I just paid them $80 to re-learn it after I replaced the MAF.

So what's next then? Nothing? I'm screw and have to buy a new ECM (if that is the problem)?
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  #10  
Old 10-16-2007, 05:01 PM
dba
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Default Foam Recall

Here's what they did to me. They told me the ECM would not be covered unless there was "burning or melting" of the foam. They took the top foam out and left the bottom foam. I called Nissan North America to tell them lack of "burning or melting" is not a legitimate explanation for saying the ECM went bad due to age and mileage as they stated because there was no burning or melting of foam. Nissan never notified me of the recall, and they said they never heard of sulphur outgassing(as I found in many documents from Nissan Execs). So, after 16 days of Nissan North America Specialist not doing his job(Marvin Whitman) and not calling me back. I finally push the issue, and he has someone else call me they won't cover the ECM because the stealership(Nissan of Union City, GA) said it was not caused by the foam(they cannot determine this, especially since I found out later that they didn't even inspect it-when I removed it and found out that the bottom foam was left alone meaning they never unbolted the ECM). They played it like a tune. The "specialist" gave me excuses that he was waiting for an answer from them for two weeks, etc. I specifically told him their explanation does not make sense since the recall was about sulphur gas corroding a resistor and not anything to do with burning or melting. So they charged me $90 to diagnose a bad computer while I already did with my scanner. I took the car away. And I bought an ECM for $385 at worldpartsexchange.com, which is the best deal I could find. Also, you don't need to pay a stealership to program it. You can do it without consult II. I have alldata access, and if you want the procedure, just email me.

Also, if you have the 2.5 SE-R, make sure you get the recall done about the valve screws. They will loosen and suck through the engine into the pre-cats. On the way through, they can seriously mess up the engine. There is a recall where Nissan will take it apart and refasten the screws with loctite or something that makes them not become loose(or they will say they did it and just buy time).

So here's what I would do if I were you. Buy and ECM, install it and program it yourself. Sell the car and buy another brand. I told Nissan I've owned 7 Nissans in the past 15 years, and this experience has made me turn to other brands, especially now that I have to take my Altima in for that screw recall.

They told me to write a letter to the executive team. I will do it when I get time. As for the MAF, I bought an aftermarket one to save money, but it was junk. The thing now stalls whenever you come to a stop. Once in a while it will start bucking and throw the P0102 code. I have another MAF coming from the company, and maybe that one will be better. However, I've heard that the real answer is buying a Genuine Nissan one for $500. Just another example of Nissan raking people over the coals. I honestly think they're becoming complacent like GM, Ford, and Dodge have over the years.

I spent so much time without a car and so much effort into getting people to at least give me an answer, I am tired. I simply reported this to the NHSTA(who's probably in Nissan's pocket anyway from the getgo), and I will never buy a Nissan again. I sure do love them, but it's about principle.

Email if you want the procedures.
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  #11  
Old 10-16-2007, 05:09 PM
dba
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Exclamation Foam

Oh, I forgot to mention the foam recall. It does nothing. They're supposed to tell owners about it long before the ECM goes bad, but they don't send out letters. Taking the foam out supposedly prevents corrosion, but they leave the foam under the ECM in. Therefore, any "foam" story is a lie as they wouldn't leave 1 of the 2 if it really caused the problem. The whole foam recall just gets them off the hook so they can make millions on selling and installing ECM's that are just low quality from the factory. If anything the foam, instead of outgassing sulphur, probably insulates the ECM box and makes it overheat and therefore causes premature aging of the ECM. We'll never know. The execs know the real story, and they're as slick as oil in making it all into a profit!

Also, I don't know about the 2.5, but there's a crank sensor recall they have to do, at least on the 1.8 liters.

Hey, good luck to all of you. I really enjoy this forum, but I won't be on it anymore since I'm selling my two Nissans and getting Hondas or Subarus.
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