Check engine light

[crazyboy3012]

Hello friends,

I have a 1995 Maxima SE with 184K miles on it.

Yesterday the check engine light turned on and the codes for O2 sensor and knock sensor came up . Research on this forum and the web indicated that 5 out of 10 times the KS is allright and the code shows up when the o2 sensor fails .

I checked the price for a new O2 sensor which is 50 something bucks while the KS is 112$. Is there a way i can find out if i really need to change the KS?

What are the consequences of running the car with a failed KS?

Thanks in advance for your help.

-V

[allensteiner]

haven't had a bad ks but read it'll make your car run like a gutless gas guzzler - pretty much i've posted a thread not long ago about a cheap ks i found on ebay, about $50 shipped so check it out - maybe the seller still has it.

here's how to test your ks:http://www.moodym.com/maxima/c...knock

here's the ebay link, they've got some in their store:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...92839

[BigMACKenzie]

crazyboy you have three 02 sensors, which one is bad?

[crazyboy3012]

Thank you guyzzz for your quick response.

Yes, the e-bay store still has the KS for 50$ and i'm getting one right away.

I'd been to the local autozone to get the code and they simply said "you have a bad O2 sensor and a KS" ...i shook my head and drove away...

thats how much i really know about my car. Thanks for letting me know about the different O2 sensores. I will find out which 1 I need to replace.

Thanks a ton!!!

-V

[allensteiner]

bosh o2 sensor for $30 shipped:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

it's a universal so you'd have to cut the connector off the old one and put it on the new one.

or this oem one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...24931&

Modified by allensteiner at 1:47 AM 6/18/2008

Modified by allensteiner at 1:53 AM 6/18/2008
Modified by allensteiner at 1:54 AM 6/18/2008

[NutriaforBreakfast]

On my 95, I just clear the code unless I can tell it inhibitsperformance.

[crazyboy3012]

Thank you allensteiner.

Imagine the 02 sensor in front of cat needing replacement, will i have to replace both the 02 sensores or will the code point out to the defective one only?

I am asking this coz i was told that the 02 sensor has failed. At that time i was unaware of the fact that the maxima has 3 o2 sensors and hence i did not ask the technician any questions.

So should i buy just 1 o2 sensor for pre cat or 2 O2's? I'm planning on buying the parts and having a mecianic put it in for me.

Thanks

-V

[crazyboy3012]

On my 95, I just clear the code unless I can tell it inhibitsperformance.

How do you clear the code?

So far the failed KS or the O2 does not seem to affect the performance of the car. By the way the failed O2 is bank 1 sensor 1. The car does'nt stall or lack power. I just put in gas and i should know the mpg by the end of next week.

So far i have tried the following to clear the code.

Make sure engine is off, and gas pedal is completely released.Turn the key to the “Ignition” position (but do not engage the starter), and wait 3 secondsPress the gas pedal all the way to the floor, then release completely - Repeat this process 5 times in 5 seconds.Wait 7 seconds, then press the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and hold for 10 seconds.When the SES light begins flashing, release the gas pedal.At this point the SES light will blink a 4 digit code (0 = 10 flashes), pausing briefly between digits, and pausing slightly longer between codes. Any stored codes will continue to repeat themselves.Once you have written down all the stored codes proceed to clear the computer.Press and hold the gas pedal all the way to the floor for more that 10 seconds.When the SES light starts flashing again release the gas pedal.The SES light should flash 10 times, pause, 10 times, pause, 10 times, pause, and 10 times.Turn the key to the “Off” positionWait 3 seconds, and start the car.

I got the above procedure from this forum. Unfortunately does'nt work on my 95 Maxima

Anyone knows if the failed KS or O2 can cause the car to vibrate in low speeds? A distinct vibration can be felt when accelerating from 0-25 and deaccelerating from 25 to a complete stop.

Thank you all for your help.

- V

[allensteiner]

to clear the codes unhook the battery cables for about half hour.

i would replace both 02's, clear the codes and test the ks. but first just clear the codes and see if they come back. the computer might've just gotten a bad signal once.

[crazyboy3012]

The knock sensor and the O2 sensor are on its way. Got them from e-bay for 50$ and 39$ respectively. I'll let you know once the sensors are replaced.

Thank you guys!!!!

-V

[crazyboy3012]

I got the O2 sensor and the Knock sensor replaced through a mechanic. The car runs fine. Allensteiner, thanks a lot for the links on e-bay.

-V

[allensteiner]

ur welcome