2002 Nissan Maxima Service Engine Soon Light

[missq]

I have a 2002 Nissan Maxima GLE with 83,400 miles on it with a "Service Engine Soon" issue. The light first came on at the end of Jan. 07 with 78,986 miles. I read the manual, tried tightening the gas cap as the manual recommended, but ended having to take it to the dealer because the light wouldn't go off. I was told the oxygen sensor was bad ($298.53 later.) The invoice says codes: P0139 & P1147 - showing defective rear 02 sensor ban 1. Well, now it's Aug. 07 with 8,4000 miles, and the light is back on. I was told that I needed a new vent control valve which effects the emission system. The service rep said best case scenario was replacing this for $262 (P+L). He also said worst case scenario was that if that didn't work, I would need a charcoal canister which then brought my cost to a total of $474.00. Of course the follow-up phone call I got after I authorized the work was that it did "unfortunately require the canister". Figures. That's when I simply plugged in "Nissan Maxima Vent Control Valve" into Google and found this site: http://www.carsurvey.org/viewc....htmlI found it alarming to say the least. Granted, they are mostly referencing the 2000 Maxima, but is anyone else out there experiencing this with the 2002? I can't help but think I'm being taken for a ride by my Nissan dealership. Help!

Modified by missq at 7:51 PM 8/8/2007
Modified by missq at 7:53 PM 8/8/2007

[maxhopper]

Welcome to NICO!

I'm sorry about your run of bad luck.

The codes for the first repair are legitimate, you can check here for yourself zerothread?id=126537.

I work at a dealership, in the service department, and I can tell you've seen weird things. Some times you have multiple problems, but you have follow the diagnostics and replace one bad part in order to find the second bad part. As an example, this week a customer came in with an air ride problem on a Navigator. The tech told me it was the control module, so that's what I got approved (~$400). The next day the tech installed the controller and found the compressor and a relay were also bad; but he couldn't communicate with the compressor because the controller was bad. So I had to call the customer back and get approval for over $900. Stuff like that just happens.