Check Engine Light?

[yelnatsch517]

The check engine light just came on for my '95 240sx. I have no idea what could be wrong with it. It does seem a little less responsive than it was before. It's an auto and I just wanted to know what are some common problems the 95 has that could cause the light to go on. So far everything is stock. Also, my wiper squirter thing doesn't work. I thought maybe it was empty and I tried filling it up and it just leaked out the bottom. Can someone post a pic of what the container is supposed to look like? Mine just looks like a tube that leads under a plate and I can't tell if there is actually a container underneath there with a hole or the whole container is gone. Also, my headlights seem to be a bit crooked. They don't line up with the hood or the fender. They are about an inch too far in. I am going to try and get some pictures sometime this week. Need to borrow my friends digital camera first. But priority is the check engine light.
Modified by yelnatsch517 at 6:52 PM 11/9/2004

[Bruno240]

with the check engine light, replace the 02 sensor.

now im not quit sure about the headlight, but you might just need to fool around with the hood bumpers if u think some tinkering with the hood will fix your problem.

[yelnatsch517]

How much should an O2 sensor cost? I checked online and the prices vary by a lot. Also are there certain brands that are better than others or is that insignificant? Also, do you think I should just go ahead and run seafoam through the engine since the O2 sensor is already bad and the spark plugs could probably use a change?

[Bronze MFP]

check engine light doesn't mean O2 sensor. Thats what people told me when mine went on, turns out it was my egr or somthing. So get it checked out. As for the windshield wiper squirters not working, 9 times out of 10 its the pump motor that has seized. I went to a junkyard to find one for my car, and out of 5 95-96 models there, 1 of them worked. I don't know how much a new one at the dealership is, but if its over $40, it's highway robbery. The fill tube goes to a tank thats located in the bumper right in front of the splash shield for the the passengers side front tire.

[Joojoo]

There's a really good guide to determining the cause of a Check Engine lot in the FAQ. Go to http://www.240sx.org/faq/artic...h.htmand read about this procedure.

Accessing your computer isn't particularly difficult, it just takes time to remove the panels and get the computer out. I had some trouble turning the computer around once I had unscrewed everything, but it turned out to be a very tight fit between the three mounting brackets.

The basic idea is that you need to flip the big ECM case over and turn a screw so that you enter the diagnostics mode. This will cause the check engine light to flash a code that indicates which sensor read the malfunction. The light will flash with a long pulse a number of times, then pause shortly, and flash quickly another few times. If you count the first number of pulses and put it together with the second number, you get your malfunction code.

For my car, I had a '34' or Knock Sensor code. I reset the light (also in the FAQ) and the problem hasn't been back since. Of course... I still don't know what a knock sensor actually IS and what I'm supposed to do about it, but eh.

[91SE]

That means your engine detonated(pinged)=bad. If you're not already run supreme.

[Nissan-S14]

ok you can stop your research, this has been sicussed on this board for past 3 years, I have a 95 240sx and my engine lights just came on yesturday, it comes and goes. (I have a manual) It will probably turn of in a few weeks then go back on) The sensor is (neutral position switch control) in my case this sensor does not exist in my car. And no, your car is not slower, I have spoken to a lot of people about this they have the same issue with their 95 240's. I even called the dealership, they response was, that it was manufactures fad. Most 95 240s have this problem. Your best solution is ignore it. Or have it turned of by one of those snap on tools. In conlcusion do not worry. Nothing is wrong with your car, its one of those manufactures defects. Nothing you can do about it.

[HashiriyaS14]

It could be a bunch of things, mine turned out to be the crankshaft position sensor, and I haven't yet ascertained whether the sensor has just gone bad or if it's unplugged. It's sort of a hard thing to get at (right on the back of the bellhousing). Just learn how to check your ECU, useful stuff.

[yelnatsch517]

ok you can stop your research, this has been sicussed on this board for past 3 years, I have a 95 240sx and my engine lights just came on yesturday, it comes and goes. (I have a manual) It will probably turn of in a few weeks then go back on) The sensor is (neutral position switch control) in my case this sensor does not exist in my car. And no, your car is not slower, I have spoken to a lot of people about this they have the same issue with their 95 240's. I even called the dealership, they response was, that it was manufactures fad. Most 95 240s have this problem. Your best solution is ignore it. Or have it turned of by one of those snap on tools. In conlcusion do not worry. Nothing is wrong with your car, its one of those manufactures defects. Nothing you can do about it.

Its not slower normal driving, but when I get on the ramp to a freeway, I usually push it a little hard because I don't like changing lanes behind a car so I always go in front of a car to change lanes. Before the light came on, whenever I pushed it, the car reacted as if it had a turbo. There would be a slight lag and a sudden jolt and my car would launch (thinking that is the overdrive kicking in). It doesn't do that anymore. That is the only time I can tell there is a difference.

[yelnatsch517]

Ok, finally got the chance to do the diagnostic. It turns out its, the O2 sensor, 3 blinks and 3 flashes. Now first off, are there certain brands of O2 sensors I should get? I checked up online and found several brands with Bosch being the most expensive running around $75-80. How important is this sensor to the well being of my car? Also, how hard would it be to change the sensor myself? If its fairly simple, I'll just do it myself.

First steps to being self sufficient car-wise.

O yea, also, there is a little problem with my suspension. The driver side sits a little higher than the passenger side. I have no idea why. It is bad enough that I can tell when sitting down in the driver side with no one on the passenger side (still sits higher with more weight). How would I go about adjusting the suspension (stock)? Should I just go ahead and change it to coilovers (everything on the car so far is stock)?

[yelnatsch517]

Anyone here able to give some advice or suggestions?

[i2ice4m3]

wow..thats a lot for an o2 sensor. i think that's how much the nissan oem ones cost. I got my o2 sensor from pep boys for about 40. I think the $70-$80 ones just have the oem connector on there. But, you can just get the cheaper one without a connector and solder your old plug onto the new sensor. It's really easy, and not worth $40 for them to do it for you.

[deCksy]

Ok, finally got the chance to do the diagnostic. It turns out its, the O2 sensor, 3 blinks and 3 flashes. Now first off, are there certain brands of O2 sensors I should get? I checked up online and found several brands with Bosch being the most expensive running around $75-80. How important is this sensor to the well being of my car? Also, how hard would it be to change the sensor myself? If its fairly simple, I'll just do it myself.

First steps to being self sufficient car-wise.

O yea, also, there is a little problem with my suspension. The driver side sits a little higher than the passenger side. I have no idea why. It is bad enough that I can tell when sitting down in the driver side with no one on the passenger side (still sits higher with more weight). How would I go about adjusting the suspension (stock)? Should I just go ahead and change it to coilovers (everything on the car so far is stock)?

i dunno where you're looking for your o2 sensors... but autozone sells bosch oem o2 sensors for $32 and universal bosch ones for $17

i would just grab the universal one and save some money... seems to have the same performance... i'm currently running on the universal one right now.

it's very easy to change your o2 sensors... you'll need an o2 sensor socket... which you could rent out at autozone for FREE (just pay a $17 deposit and get it back upon return) then attack the o2sensor which is located on the lower part of the manifold. (it's on the right side if you're standing in front of the car lookin at the engine). if its kinda hard to take off spray some wd40 or liquid wrench and let sit, then attack again.

and on your suspension... check if your passenger side shock is blown... that could probably be the cause... if not then i'm not sure

-David
Modified by deCksy at 5:59 AM 11/16/2004

[yelnatsch517]

How would I know if its blown or not? I drive the car pretty hard into turns, just a habit. My tires wear out rather fast. Its not like I'm trying to drift or anything, its just I don't like slowing down that much. Could that be a reason my suspension is like that?

Ok, going to stop by autozone tomorrow to see what I can get.

[deCksy]

How would I know if its blown or not? I drive the car pretty hard into turns, just a habit. My tires wear out rather fast. Its not like I'm trying to drift or anything, its just I don't like slowing down that much. Could that be a reason my suspension is like that?

Ok, going to stop by autozone tomorrow to see what I can get.

check if you could see the metal bar in the middle of the shock... if you can.. check if there is oil around the bar and around the open areas.. if there is... that shock is gone.

as for cornering.... stock suspension is pretty ****ty... lol, you'll notice the difference as you upgrade to more aggressive suspension.

[yelnatsch517]

Ok, just got back from autozone. When they were asking what car I had, I realized that even though my 240sx is an s14 type, it was made 6/94. For some reason there are 2 categories of 95 240's. Those made before 95 and those made during. Autozone didn't have the O2 sensors for those made before or at least according to their computer. I just wanted to know what if any difference there is between the two sensors. Is it just a matter of ecu's or something? Also, even if there is a difference, will the sensors made for later model 95's work on mine?

[Nissan-S14]

i think the part # is the same, they should have checked further. They get lazy at auto zone, make them work.

[IanS]

yah they do, I had the same problem because my car is one of those pre 95 models, but I still have the obd2 and every time I go to get it checked they give me a hard time, and as for your o2 sensor problems, make sure your replacing the right one, the 95s have 2, one on the manifold and one on the downpipe past the cat. One other thing, if you find a place selling cheap washer pumps, email me, I need one