96 maxima se 5 speed check engine light

[ivorton23]

Just got my maxima 5 speed 2 days ago. Has 200k miles on it so I expect it to have some little issues. My check engine light came on today while driving. Its been a long time since i drove a stick and i'm a little rusty. I stalled it a couple times and it jerks sometimes after releasing the clutch(releasing too fast i guess). Can this trigger the engine light? Can a transmission problem cause it to come on? I hope I'm not ruining my transmission. THe car also has a massive exhaust leak by the y pipe. can this cause the light to come on too?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Easiest way to figure out why your CEL is on is to go to your favorite auto parts store and have them scan for codes.

I don't remember if O2 sensors trip check engine lights on OBDII cars...I'm too used to OBDI. But your exhaust leak could throw of O2 sensor readings, so it's a possibility.

[ivorton23]

just as long as its nothing to do with my transmission or anything else major like that. i have to fix my exhaust, my air bag light is flashing and my parking brake is out too. also need some new tires and she'll be good to go.

[indmotorsports]

What kind of gas do you ut in the car? The cheep gas can cause that light to come on as well.

[ivorton23]

Super Unleaded

[ivorton23]

The oil was a little low so I added a quart and a half of pennzoil 5w30. Is this the right type of oil to use or do i use synthetic oil?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

For airbag flashing light problem I went to the tech pages tab above and fixed it

Tech pagesMaximaGeneral: How to reset SRS (#1 and #2)Try both of them and one will probably work

[nafddur]

Easiest way to figure out why your CEL is on is to go to your favorite auto parts store and have them scan for codes.

Actually, the easiest way to figure out why the light is on is to put your ECM into the test mode (by using the test mode selector screw on the side of it), and count the light blinks to get the diagnostic trouble code(s) yourself. After doing this a number of times over the 15 years I've owned my 95 SE, I can do this in less than the time it takes me to drive the one mile to my closest Auto Zone.

After looking up what the causes of whatever diagnostic code you retrieve might be, you can then decide whether you want to try and fix it yourself or have someone else (up to and including possibly even a dealer) help you. I've also learned over the years to just reset the light (using the test mode screw and, of course, after reading the codes) the first time it comes on, and see if it comes back on again. Sometimes something fluky that really isn't a problem sets the light off. If the light comes back on, then you know you really have a problem that needs to be checked out.

[ivorton23]

Yeah I fixed the airbag problem last night. Thank God...it was really annoying seeing that light flashing over and over!!

[loystock]

You still need to get diagnostic code for the CEL. It's possible that it's been triggered by the leak on the y-pipe or maybe it's just one of the problems with the car.

[ivorton23]

UPDATE: well took my maxima to the shop and...ITS ALL FIXED!! no more exhaust leak and the CEL light came on because of that leak. it triggered the o2 sensor code. am picking it up 2morrow morning...I cant wait...I missed her!!!!

also just bought me some clear bumper lights off ebay and got my new chrome shift knob 2day. Next is intake and exhaust cuz the guy said its rusting and may need 2 replace soon. Anyone know the cheapest i can get a catback exhaust system for. am on a tight budget.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I am a little leary when it comes to exhaust work.I would try to get them to put it up on a rack and showme what they did first

[ivorton23]

man...got my car back....was all happy n excited....then was tryn to get out of my drive way n got stuck...got someone to push me out and they pushed on my spoiler and BROKE IT OFF!!! ARRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!! IM FURIOUS!! so now i'm looking for a new spoiler now!!! man i'm so upset...and my cel came on again and i believe its the exhaust cuz i hit some hard snow on the bottom of my car....the snow is kinda high over in SD since the snow storm last night. i gotta get a new exhaust system anyway cuz the mechanic said its all rusted....go figure...i got it from MN.