Bad sensors causing "Service Engine Soon" light to come on

[Sizemore]

I went into the Nissan dealership yesterday for a service appointment on a recall part on my SUV. While doing the service, they also did a courtesy inspection of the car, making sure everything was running well. One of the things they did find was that I had bad "sensors" which is why my "Service Engine Soon" light had came on. Absolutely NOTHING was wrong with the vehicle... just bad sensors.

Well, I asked for a price estimate to replace the sensors, and it was quoted at $580 for parts and labor just to replace the sensors.

My question is, what exactly is a sensor? I've looked around the internet and I think it is the "O2 Sensor". Is this correct? Also, I think the price for replacing the sensor is waaaay too expensive, so would it be possible for me to do it myself?

[nafddur]

There are many sensors of varying types on all Nissan VQ engines. The dealer first needs to tell you which sensor (or sensors, though likely you have only one bad one) has been detected as defective.

Some are so easy to replace that (almost) anyone could do it. Others are buried in the enhgine compartment or require special tools and would be difficult - though probably not impossible - for a back yard mechanic to replace.