Check Engine Light...

[Gr8dave37]

So...my understanding is that most of the times the cause for the check engine light to come on is a loose gas cap which messes up the vacuum for the fuel system of the car. The first time I got the check engine light on they told me that the gasket in the gas cap had been bent/deformed and that they had taken it apart and it was fixed.

Then I am driving home from my friends house and the check engine light comes on again, before I can take it into the shop the light goes out...I cancel my shop appt.

The check engine light comes on a third time, they have my car for a few hours and when I pick it up they tell me that they could not find anything wrong, that they had even put it in their smoke chamber(honestly don't know what that is) and that they still didn't find anything. I was told that if it happens again they will have to go through nissan usa as this has been a recurring problem on my car and that they will need it for a few days.

Well today I am driving over to my friends house and low and behold the check engine light comes on for the 4th time. I call the dealer right away but they can't see me today or give me a rental, I will have to wait until monday.

I have read California Lemon Laws and needless to say I am not a lawyer and I barely understand it...but in addition to this check engine light issue I have also had the fuel regulator issue and seem to possibly be having it again. Grrrrrrrrrr

[hiimjered]

Next time the light comes on, scan the code and figure out what it is. You can get it scanned for free at Autozone or Advance Auto Parts, or at a lot of other similar places.

Anyway, find out what code it is throwing, and look up what that means online. Perhaps that can help you speak more precisely when you ask them to fix it.

[Driving Instructor]

Ok, I think you should stop going to your friends.........

I had my light come on and it was a sensor for the fuel system. Funny that they could not find a code. Usually the codes stay in the computer and they can figure it out.

Have fun........

[Gr8dave37]

Ok, I think you should stop going to your friends.........

I had my light come on and it was a sensor for the fuel system. Funny that they could not find a code. Usually the codes stay in the computer and they can figure it out.

Have fun........

lol..was a different friend each time.

Next time the light comes on, scan the code and figure out what it is. You can get it scanned for free at Autozone or Advance Auto Parts, or at a lot of other similar places.

Anyway, find out what code it is throwing, and look up what that means online. Perhaps that can help you speak more precisely when you ask them to fix it.

I'm not concerned about knowing the code, I admittedly don't know much about cars and in fact the last time I had a check engine light come on in my altima the code book was so vague that it could have been anything. In anycase, my issue is more like EV's as to wether I got a lemon or not. I LOVE my versa..I don't want another car...but how much is enough? I'm looking at contacting a lemon law attorney, maybe I can get a 6 speed instead of my auto.

[Johniboi]

this may sound stupid but whats the lemon law?

[frankoV]

Quikc reply: three strikes with a problem and you're out -- car acn be declared a lemon and you get a new one.

Best to google and get the fullscoop yourself.

[Johniboi]

woahh ive never heard that kind of a law. sounds pretty awesomee.

[frankoV]

Not from the manufacturer's side

[Johniboi]

well as long as it isnt gonna be a problem with me then i could care less bout them.

[Gr8dave37]

Well....took the car in on Monday...look at that...they found a leak in the system, supposedly the gas cap was leaking as well as some other place in the system as well. Although despite them telling me this on the phone, the paperwork states "Found DTC for an evap gross leak in the system, found the gas cap was allowing AIT( assuming that is supposed to be air) into the tank causing the MIL LIHT (yes I am copying this verbatum) to come on, Tech cleared the light and ran a DTC confermation(love the spelling here) on the vehicle and all ok at this time, the vehicle ws driven for 4-6 miles to insure light would not come back on"

So despite them telling me that they replaced the gas cap and fixed the other leak, the paperwork says that they jut reset the code! needless to say I contacted a Lemon Law attorney and we will see what happens. What really sucks is that I LOVE my V... I just wish I wasn't having these problems...so much for hassle free new car ownership

[LibbiPeach]

i too am having an issue with this. I took the car in, they said something was bent and had to order parts. I took it back in for them to replace these parts which took several hours, and the next day after it was supposed to be fixed, the light came on again.

I called them, rescheduled to come back in the next day, and then the light went back off on it's own. They had me come back in anyway, checked everything again, and sent me on my way, thinking it was a fluke.

This morning, the light came back on again! I think the gas cap isn't sealing right for some reason even tho it appears to be on there properly. I filled up last Friday and while i haven't driven it a whole lot since then (days off) I still would think I had driven it enough. At any rate when I arrived at work, I checked the gas cap and it appeared to be on there.

This is getting extremely frustrating. Anyone else have any suggestions ?

I'm considering buying a new locking cap just to see if that helps.

[LibbiPeach]

Just got back from the dealer. It was indeed the gas cap. Told me the gasket wasn't sealing properly. I asked the service manager if they had replaced the gas cap, his answer, no, just the gasket.

However, when i got my receipt from the clerk, it said they had replaced the gas cap. LOL

The service manager also said they'd had an Altima in with the same problem recently.

Hopefully, this solves the issue!

[Cash_22]

Hope your problem is resolved. I also had a check engine soon light (SES) on my new 2009 Versa at 500 miles and 900 miles. The light would come on regularly when the gas tank reads half full.

I took the car to the dealer and told them that each time the light went on, I re-tightened the gas cap and the light still stayed on. They ran a diagnostic on it and found that the evap. valve on the catalytic converter was open and wouldn't close, thus not allowing a vacuum in the tank. They replaced that part and so far I don't have that problem. They had to remove the gas tank and the rear bumper to replace that part though. Good thing it was still under warranty.