03 Nissan Altima with a service engine light on.

[countryboy9799]

GF's car had a service engine light come on while she was idleing for just a minute. She has had a couple of times where it didnt want to start right in the morning and said it made some kind of a noise but then started, sounded like maybe a timing problem with the ignition? Sorry but I havent heard this so cant really explain it to much better. She said when she started it up this morning everything seemed fine.

So my question is, are there any known problems for this car? Anything I should be concerned with?

It does have the 2.5 engine in it.

Thanks for your help,

Scott

[hondavxr]

How many miles do you have on the Altima? I work at a Nissan dealership. The hard start when cold or early morning has to do with the fuel pump, there is a tsb on those pumps. Check to see if you have all the recalls done on it. If it was me, I will never buy a 2.5 Altima, 2.5 is Nissan's worst motor. Spend the extra for the 6 cylinder. Check engine coming on might have to do with the o2's. Also check to see if you have the upgraded cat. manifold. Sorry I am shooting out so much at once, but I will be glad to help you. Just give me some more info. thanks

[Jeremy airjer W]

The best start would be to have the codes read. I agree that its probably lean O2 sensor bank 1 sensor 1.

Hey Honda, don't they have problems with the distributors, fuel pressure regulators and intake gaskets on the 2.5.

[countryboy9799]

Thanks guys,

The car has 43,000 on it.

Is a tsb a tech. service bulliten? Do I just take it to the dealer and they fix it at their cost or mine?

What is the upgraded cat. maniflod? What does something like that cost?

Do you think I should take it in to have to codes read if it doesnt come on again?

The O2 sensor is the one in the exhaust manifold right? Do they have 2 of them and if so why?

Thanks for all your help guys, have a great weekend.

[bigdog]

May also want to make sure the gas cap is on tight. I have had the light come on occasionally when I did not put the cap on tight enough. I have a Pontiac but maybe the Nissan works the same. It takes a few restarts before it resets itself.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I can answer a few of those.

A TSB is a Technical Service Bulletin. These Bulletins are sent out to aid technicians with more frequent issues and/or how to fix/repair the issue. These issues could deal with any component of the vehicle, Mechanical, electrical, accessories, body, etc. These are not recals and the dealer has no obligation to do them for free (unless the vehicle is under its warranty).

If the check engine light is currently off than everything is functioning correctly and the vehicle is performing as intended. This new of vehicle will store the code in its history. If it is on than it would be worth checking out.

I believe there are two O2 sensors on this vehicle. One before the cat. and one after the cat. The pre cat O2 is one of the sensors that the computer uses to help adjust fuel. The post cat O2 is used to monitor catalytic efficiecy.

[hondavxr]

There was a recall on the 2.5 cats so call your nearest Nissan dealer and give them your VIN to see if the car got the new cat. The old cats sometimes would break in littles pieces and it got sucked back into the motor. For your fuel pump problem, a dealer might goodwill it, but it varies for dealer to dealer. Nissan is pretty good about their warrnaties. Call your nearest Nissan dealership about it, most are pretty helpful. thanks

[countryboy9799]

I ended up calling the dealer and the service manager said that most times its from the gas cap, turns out she starting fueling up and it was cold so she started it up, shortly after the light came on so I thought it was that. The dealer said to drive it a week or two and see if it went out, as long as it wasnt flashing anyways. So yesterday it went out so that is good. Thanks for all the help, I will have to call about a few other things you guys mentioned.

[Jeremy airjer W]

The old P0440 - evap emissions leak!

[hondavxr]

Thats good that it went out. I am going to give you a pre warning about filling up gas also. Tell your girlfiend when the pump stops dont top it off. I have seen so many evap canisters come in clogged from people topping off their gas. Usually the canister is bad when they come in and the vent control valve on the canister craps out. All I have to say is these parts are not cheap.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Oh great, You let the cat out of the bag!!! How am I supposed to feed the kids if you keep giving away info like that!! LOL

honda, can you shoot me an email, I have a question for you about a rear axle seal on an 01 xterra 2WD. [email protected]

[countryboy9799]

Well about a week ago the light came on again, over new years we were in the cities and stopped at an auto zone and had it checked beings they do it for free. He came up with a code of P0507 and it also said idle control system rpm high.

I havent really noticed the idle rpm being high though, she has said it doesnt start up sometimes like it sounds rough before it starts. What do you guys think the problem is? Mileage is about 25 mpg and I think the sticker said it was supposed to be 28? If so mileage would probably be about right for this time of year.

Scott

[bigdog]

Mine kept coming on occasionally and I finally ended up replacing the gas cap. No idea what the error code means.

[Jeremy airjer W]

P0507, The first theing they want you to do is check the PCV valv. Then they want you to check for a vacumm leak. My money is on the vacumm leak. You really need to get this checked out!! If it is a vacumm leak you can run the risk of doing some serious damage (the risk is low but not impossible). Engines don't like to be run lean!!!! My advice is to find a shop that has a smoker for checking vacumm leaks. Leave the car overnight so everything is cold and the best possibility is given to find the leak. When you drop off the vehicle tell them everything you know, No detail is to small!!!

[Barony]

This is now very ironic. I saw the post and thought to myself about how our 03 Altima has been a great running car. The engine light came on last week and will now for no apparent reason kills. It's killed at 20, and it's killed at 70. That gets a little scary. Have an appointment with the dealership next week. It's my wife's car, so she's had to put up with it.

[countryboy9799]

Thanks we will get it looked into.