2004 Xterra - Service Engine Soon Light - I NEED HELP!

[Chelypooh13]

My vehicle was recently involved in a front end collision - it was a pretty hard hit. Airbags did not deploy, but the entire front end (inside and out) - AC compressor and radiator had to be replaced. When I got my vehicle from the insurance company service center - I was told the light was due to maintenance needed on it. I had the oil changed and the computer was reading the O2 sensor was out. Took it back to the insurance service center as I believed this was not a maintenance issue it was due to the accident. I have never had any problems with my Xterra. No dash lights have ever come on before. It has 94,000 miles on it. The service tech told me it was a maintenance issue because of the high mileage and they would not fix it. I have family members who are mechanics (one being a certified Toyota mechanic), I have spoken with people at the dealership and all have said the O2 sensor could very well have been damaged in the crash and that if I had not had problems prior to the accident, it was very likely that the accident caused it. I need advice on my next step and input on O2 sensors suddenly going out. The service tech yesterday also said the computer was reading that the knock sensor was bad and not to worry about that - it was no big deal. But in my current research I've discovered it can be a big deal. Please feel free to ask me questions if needed. I feel the service tech at the service center was completely taking advantage of the fact that I am a woman. He did not want to discuss the possibility of damage from the accident and told me the O2 sensor involved the exhaust system (as he pointed to the rear of my vehicle) and had nothing to do with the front end.
Modified by Chelypooh13 at 8:58 AM 7/2/2008

[Desert Rat]

Do you have the specific codes it's throwing?

94k miles...it could probably use new 02 sensors anyways.

[Chelypooh13]

PO 328 and PO51 (bank 2 sensor 1)

I just want my vehicle back the way it was before the collision. They tell you they will put it that way, now they are refusing to honor that. I just find it too convenient for the insurance company to say it's a maintenance issue since it was never a problem before.

[Desert Rat]

Sadly, i'm going to agree with the insurance company on this one. Replacing 02 sensors is a maintenance item that should be done about every 60k. I'm going to assume you have the originals in there, so you got 1.5 times the average life out of them.

[nismopu]

yes, they should be replaced BUT since it did happen after an accident I can see how they would be held liable for it. Especially the knock sensor since these can go out after accidents, and NO I am not making this up. lol. It happened to me on my maxima, the 02 was damaged only because the core support took it out along with the exhaust manifold but the knock sensor was what surprised me! peace.

[Chelypooh13]

Thank you for the feedback. I had it put on a diagnostic machine this morning at a Nissan dealership and they said both are out, but said they cannot say it is because of the accident, but also cannot say it isn't because of the accident. We've moved on to fighting it out with the insurance company. Too coincidental considering I've never had a problem with my Xterra before. They don't want to fix it because it is so hard to get to in the Xterra - it makes it an expensive job.

[nismopu]

Keep after em! lol, theyre always trying to pull a fast one everywhere they can! This must be geico huh? All in one service center right? Those jackholes should be taken to court over way more stuff than this. peace.

[Chelypooh13]

They have told me they aren't going to pay for it, so we are taking it up a notch. The insurance rep that called me this morning said the knock sensor was in the middle of the engine and had nothing to do with the collision. I should have asked him if he was a mechanic and was that his professional opinion. It's actually Progressive. We'll see what his supervisor has to say when he returns from vacation. Thanks for the support. I'm not one to give up very easily.