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  #1  
Old 08-29-2013, 08:04 AM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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2005 Altima 2.5 s
 
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Location: Wahiawa, HI
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Default SES light keeps coming on

Hello
I have a 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5s and my service engine soon light keeps coming on but then after a few times of driving and turning the car off the light goes out. It stays off for a few days then comes back on again and repeats the previous mentioned behavior.
Can anyone tell me why it is doing this or what maybe causing it?

I have already changed the O2 sensors both upstream and downstream.
Change oil and filter
Changed transmission fluid
Changed all spark plugs and coil packs.
Thanks
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  #2  
Old 08-29-2013, 12:22 PM
G47
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what code do you have?
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  #3  
Old 08-29-2013, 12:55 PM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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That's just it. When I took it to the shop the mechanic said nothing is wrong and he didn't even get the light to come on
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  #4  
Old 08-30-2013, 04:17 AM
DCARLTON DCARLTON is offline
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Wow and strange. Usually but not all the time, when the light is off and on periodically, one is stored as a pending code.

I have seen failing O2 sensors behave like this, throwing a code then correcting itself. Have also seen the 420 code come and go due to the out of spec O2 sensors and/or deteriorating pre-cat. Keep us informed.
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1995 Maxima SE (313,000+ miles 10/2012)
1997 Maxima (193,000 miles - bought from daughter when she traded for a Hyundai Elantra Coupe)
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  #5  
Old 08-30-2013, 07:29 AM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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2005 Altima 2.5 s
 
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Location: Wahiawa, HI
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Thanks guys
Hopefully somehow I will get this problem solved.
Spoke to a Nissan mechanic and he thinks it's the ecu itself failing. Another thinks it's the computer chip.
Both if which are to expensive for me to be changing out just to do a process of elimination type of deal.
Well hope someone else comes up with something.
Also heard about the pre-cat thing but so many post on that problem that seems like it's not worth even going that route cause that seems to be a very expensive fix too
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  #6  
Old 08-30-2013, 08:33 AM
DCARLTON DCARLTON is offline
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get you a code reader (every driver should have one) and when the light comes back on, read the code. You've got to catch it when you can.
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  #7  
Old 08-30-2013, 08:45 AM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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2005 Altima 2.5 s
 
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Yeah. The problem is here in Hawaii code readers are very expensive. About double what they cost in most other states.
By the way. Anyone know of a good code reader that is fairly reasonably priced?
I have seen some and not sure if they are worth the price.
Oh and here in Hawaii we don't have a pep boys or autozone.
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  #8  
Old 08-30-2013, 09:33 AM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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2005 Altima 2.5 s
 
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By the way. Since the pre-cat problem was brought up. Does anyone know what can be done to prevent that before it kills my engine? I don't have any of those symptoms yet but it seems like it's a big problem that I would like to avoid if possible.
Thanks
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  #9  
Old 08-30-2013, 09:59 AM
G47
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I just spoke with someone and they said they have seen this problem caused by a bad throttle body or bad idle. First thing to do, is disconnect the battery for at least 30 min to reset the light and do an Idle Air Volume Learning.

Idle Air Volume Learning is an operation to learn the idle air volume that keeps each engine within the specific range. It must be performed under any of the following conditions:

Each time electric throttle control actuator or ECM is replaced.
Idle speed or ignition timing is out of specification.
Instructions

Preparation

Before performing Idle Air Volume Learning, make sure that all of the following conditions are satisfied. Learning will be cancelled if any of the following conditions are missed for even a moment.

Battery voltage: More than 12.9V (At idle)
Engine coolant temperature: 70 - 100 C (158 - 212 F)
Park/neutral position (PNP) switch: ON (Shifter in Park or Neutral)
Electric load switch: OFF (Air conditioner, headlamp, rear window defogger)
Steering wheel: Neutral (Straight-ahead position)
Vehicle speed: Stopped
Transmission: Warmed-up (Drive vehicle for 10 minutes.)
Procedure

1Perform "2002-2011 Nissan Altima Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning"
2Perform "2002-2011 Nissan Altima Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning"
3Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
4Check that all items listed under the topic PREPARATION (previously mentioned) are in good order.
5Turn ignition switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds.
6Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ON and wait 3 seconds.
7Repeat the following procedure quickly five times within 5 seconds.
aFully release the accelerator pedal.
8Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 20 seconds until the MIL stops blinking and turned ON.
9Fully release the accelerator pedal within 3 seconds after the MIL turned ON.
10Start engine and let it idle.
11Wait 20 seconds.
12Rev up the engine two or three times and make sure that idle speed and ignition timing are within the specifications.
Idle speed = 650 ± 50 rpm (in P or N position)

2002-2011 Nissan Altima Idle Air Volume Learning Procedure | Nissanhelp.com
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  #10  
Old 08-30-2013, 10:08 AM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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2005 Altima 2.5 s
 
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G47
Thanks. I will give that a try
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  #11  
Old 08-31-2013, 08:57 AM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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2005 Altima 2.5 s
 
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Ok guys
Finally got a mechanic that was able to get a code. The code shown is P0303, #3 cylinder misfire. He suggested changing the coil boots, spark plugs. Does anyone know of anything else that is fairly simple and not too expensive that I can try? Has anyone had this problem before?
Thanks for the help
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  #12  
Old 08-31-2013, 12:37 PM
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mpe235 mpe235 is offline
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Location: New York
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamalani View Post
Yeah. The problem is here in Hawaii code readers are very expensive. About double what they cost in most other states.
By the way. Anyone know of a good code reader that is fairly reasonably priced?
I have seen some and not sure if they are worth the price.
Oh and here in Hawaii we don't have a pep boys or autozone.
If you have a smart phone you can download a program called torque and pick up a Bluetooth interface off eBay. It should cost you around $15. It's a pretty good program for free. It reads and clears codes, monitors sensors and a bunch of other stuff.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...51495398,d.cWc

Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle
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  #13  
Old 09-04-2013, 10:02 AM
DCARLTON DCARLTON is offline
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Before you throw parts at it, swap coil pack 3 with coil pack 1 2 or 4 and see if the problem follows. If still says #3, swap or change spark plugs. If it's still at #3 or you get a code for multiple random misfires, you might check the ground that runs from the battery area to the transmission. These are known corrosion points and when weak, will cause misfires.

If the cable is good and your still stuck at #3 then it could be a harness/wire issue or if more.
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  #14  
Old 09-04-2013, 01:41 PM
Kamalani Kamalani is offline
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2005 Altima 2.5 s
 
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Hey
Thanks for the info.
Already changed out the coil packs. Changed out the spark plugs too.
But I will check the ground wire.
Thanks again for the info
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