Check Engine Light on 08 Nissan Altima Sedan

[Mayorprime]

Dam, my check engine light turned on Monday. I thought it was because I needed to change my oil, I only had 4,200 miles so I changed it and it still stayed on. Then I managed to read the manual (which, I should of done in the first place) and it said I needed to check my gas cap and make sure it is sealed tight. Be aware of this just incase you give your car a full expensive tune up before realizing how easy of a solution there is.

[sammyboy]

It's prob the gas sensor. Try removing your gas lid and putting it back on and turn it tight. If it doesn't go away in a couple of days take it to a mechanic or the dealer to have them put the computer in. It's about $60 bucks

[adidas2go]

Your CEL will never come on for an oil change. It can come on for the oil level being low, but the CEL only comes on, when a sensor triggers it. No sensor for an oil usage level Just a timing mechanism, based on mileage, as a friendly service reminder.

[mikegtr06]

the same thing just happened to me, is the only way that i can get it to turn off by taking it to the stealership ??

[Mayorprime]

No just make sure the Gas lid is closed tight and after a couple of miles the light should turn off. It did for me, also once you fill up your tank it should definitely turn off.

[marlin29311]

Not always a couple of miles...mine has come on twice because of the gas cap (apparently no one in new jersey that pumps gas knows how to 'click' the cover... ) and it can take a few days for it to turn off. The first time it happened to me I took it to Nissan because I was mad that my car only had 2300 miles and it had been on for a few days, and the tech said that it was just the gas cap thing and the OBD system takes a few days to reset itself.

If you want to make sure that it is the gas cap issue, you can do the OBD check yourself - if you come up with the 0442 code, it's just the gas cap.

To take a reading without using an OBD II reader, you can do this...

1. Put the car into "on" without the engine started (aka, hit the ignition button twice without having your foot on the brake)

2. Wait 3 seconds for the car to do a systems check (you know this is done when all the lights except your service engine light go off)

3. Do 5 full accelerator press and releases in 5 seconds (floor your car 5 times in 5 seconds)

4. Wait 7 seconds.

5. Floor the accelerator again, and hold it there for 10 seconds (approx). Your service engine light will turn off.

6. When the light turns off, take your foot off the pedal, and get ready to count.

At this point, the service engine light will start blinking. It will give you a 4 digit code - the first number will flash slowly, followed by a slight pause, the next three numbers will flash quickly, all with a pause in the middle. 10 flashes means a number "0." So if your car blinked 10 times, then 4, then 4, then 2 (edited from 4) again, you would have a code of "0442," which is your gas cap thing. Other codes can be determined by looking at a OBD II code reference sheet, which can be found by googleing it, or probably somewhere in the forums...
Modified by marlin29311 at 3:32 PM 7/22/2008

[dpn]

Not always a couple of miles...mine has come on twice because of the gas cap (apparently no one in new jersey that pumps gas knows how to 'click' the cover... ) and it can take a few days for it to turn off. The first time it happened to me I took it to Nissan because I was mad that my car only had 2300 miles and it had been on for a few days, and the tech said that it was just the gas cap thing and the OBD system takes a few days to reset itself.

If you want to make sure that it is the gas cap issue, you can do the OBD check yourself - if you come up with the 0442 code, it's just the gas cap.

To take a reading without using an OBD II reader, you can do this...

1. Put the car into "on" without the engine started (aka, hit the ignition button twice without having your foot on the brake)

2. Wait 3 seconds for the car to do a systems check (you know this is done when all the lights except your service engine light go off)

3. Do 5 full accelerator press and releases in 5 seconds (floor your car 5 times in 5 seconds)

4. Wait 7 seconds.

5. Floor the accelerator again, and hold it there for 10 seconds (approx). Your service engine light will turn off.

6. When the light turns off, take your foot off the pedal, and get ready to count.

At this point, the service engine light will start blinking. It will give you a 4 digit code - the first number will flash slowly, followed by a slight pause, the next three numbers will flash quickly, all with a pause in the middle. 10 flashes means a number "0." So if your car blinked 10 times, then 4, then 4, then 4 again, you would have a code of "0442," which is your gas cap thing. Other codes can be determined by looking at a OBD II code reference sheet, which can be found by googleing it, or probably somewhere in the forums...

I'm confused...if it's 0442, then "if your car blinked 10 times, then 4, then 4, then 4 again, you would have a code of "0442" but it seems like it would be 0444.

???

Thanks,

DPN

[marlin29311]

I'm confused...if it's 0442, then "if your car blinked 10 times, then 4, then 4, then 4 again, you would have a code of "0442" but it seems like it would be 0444.

???

Thanks,

DPN

heh...you're right! I think i got caught up typing all of that and put at 4 instead of a 2...thanks for the catch, i'm going to edit it now...

[lurtonk]

Not always a couple of miles...mine has come on twice because of the gas cap (apparently no one in new jersey that pumps gas knows how to 'click' the cover... ) and it can take a few days for it to turn off. The first time it happened to me I took it to Nissan because I was mad that my car only had 2300 miles and it had been on for a few days, and the tech said that it was just the gas cap thing and the OBD system takes a few days to reset itself.

If you want to make sure that it is the gas cap issue, you can do the OBD check yourself - if you come up with the 0442 code, it's just the gas cap.

To take a reading without using an OBD II reader, you can do this...

1. Put the car into "on" without the engine started (aka, hit the ignition button twice without having your foot on the brake)

2. Wait 3 seconds for the car to do a systems check (you know this is done when all the lights except your service engine light go off)

3. Do 5 full accelerator press and releases in 5 seconds (floor your car 5 times in 5 seconds)

4. Wait 7 seconds.

5. Floor the accelerator again, and hold it there for 10 seconds (approx). Your service engine light will turn off.

6. When the light turns off, take your foot off the pedal, and get ready to count.

At this point, the service engine light will start blinking. It will give you a 4 digit code - the first number will flash slowly, followed by a slight pause, the next three numbers will flash quickly, all with a pause in the middle. 10 flashes means a number "0." So if your car blinked 10 times, then 4, then 4, then 2 (edited from 4) again, you would have a code of "0442," which is your gas cap thing. Other codes can be determined by looking at a OBD II code reference sheet, which can be found by googleing it, or probably somewhere in the forums...

Modified by marlin29311 at 3:32 PM 7/22/2008

on

This doesn't seem to work on my 08 2.5s. I have tried it 15 times and the Service Engine Soon light never goes off or blinks.

Is there a different procedure on the 08 with the CVT?

[dieseldom]

I'm having the same issue - i installed HIDs this weekend and remove the negative poiwer. I had to reconfigure the front windows in order for them to roll up automatically - and now my SES light is on. I follow the steps - but after pressing the gas pedal 4 times, waiting another 7 seconds and holding the gas pedal again, it blinks 5x slowly and then stays on steady.

I also tried this 10x and nothing different happened.

What should I do?

[adidas2go]

Take off the negative again. This time for 10 min or so. You need to deep erase your comps memory.

[dieseldom]

Thanks Adidas - i'll post here as soon as i perform the step you provided.

Thanks!

[DroneBee]

I disconnected my positive from the battery when I installed my HID's and the service engine light came on. I traveled 55 miles and it was still on. Tried the procedure mentioned above and GONE. Thanks!!!

[xorcst]

I work at a Advance Auto Parts here in Austin, Tx. we read codes for free, and people always get that code, of p0421, which could also be caused by a vacuum leak. anyways, it nornally takes about 30 miles for the light to turn off. or you could just take it to an Advance (if theres one out West) and we'll clear it for you. goto http://www.obd-codes.com and click on "search codes" for more info on codes

[Esteban Mayer]

I tried the procedure mentioned above, but when i pushed the ingnition to "on" several other lights did no go off. My car has a manual 6spd transmision, its the SE-R. is the procedure different?

[Alty2pointbye]

Procedure is the same for all altimas since 2000 I beleive. One tip is instead of pressing the gas 5 times in 5 seconds, try to do it faster. If this does not work then disconnect you negative cable from the battery for 5-10 mins for a deep reset.