Check engine light

[Alex1969]

I took my 2003 Maxima GLE to the dealer for an inspection and they are telling me that because the check engine light is on they can not inspect until it is cleared. They tell me the intake solenoid value and the Cam sensor are bad.

... a few questions:I read online that there was a recall of the Cam position sensor for the 2003 Maxima. Is that the same thing? I am not the original owner, does that matter?

If it is not a recall ...Is this a job for the dealer or a trusted mechanic? Any ideas of how much in parts and labor this should cost? They are telling me around 700 for P/L for both.

Also, I hear rattling from under the passenger side dash. I think it is wind related because I only hear it when the car is aboove 60 mph. They are telling me the stabalizer links are bad, and need to be fixed ($270). My car only has 45K, is this abnormal for this few miles? Is that a fair price?

Please help educate me on these topics... Thanks!!!

[maxhopper]

Regarding the camshaft postion sensor: yes that is the dealer is referring to.

There are two sensors on your engine, did they tell you which one was bad (or put the trouble code in the paper work)?

You can buy both sensors from Midway Nissan (one of our sponsors that will give NICO members an additionl 5% off the listed prices) for under $100. So, I would think that $700 would be a bit excessive. I would think that if you are somewhat mechanically inclined that you could do this yourself.

Here is what the sensor looks like.



This is where the two sensors are located in the engine bay (driver's side of each cylinder head).