check engine

[96QQ45]

Where is the ecm on the 96Q to check codes?

[Rex]

Do you mean ECU??

http://www.troublecodes.net/infinity/ (forgive their spelling)

And a quick search (and a little browsing) found this post started by me .

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....t=ECU

Good luck.

[Q45tech]

The 1996 Q is an OBD2 ecu [unlike 90-95] so you need an odb2 scanner as the codes are no longer just 2 digits but now 5 digits and more precise.

[Rex]

^^ Dennis knows so much more than the rest of us, and that a GOOD thing

[GuidoInc]

Autozone will use their ODBII reader and tell you the codes for free. If you have them in your area. I know they have checked mine several times.

[Q451990]

The 96 service manual probably has a procedure for reading the codes from the ECU. My 97 Truck does... still the same method of turning the screw on the ECU - there's just a cross reference list in the manual for what the flashes mean.

I like Guido's idea though... have the codes read for free at a parts store. Just don't start throwing aftermarket parts-store parts at it once you have the code! Post the results here and someone will probably have a good idea of what's going on. Most parts for the Q are best replaced with OEM parts, and with the discount from Joe it's not that much more expensive.

Heath

[96QQ45]

My mechanic said it was a gear ratio sensor (may be transmission problem but doubts it) and told me to just wait and see if the light comes on again.

[GuidoInc]

This might not be the problem that you have but here goes. I have had a Speed Sensor problem for a couple of years. My speedo would work some of the time. I think it is P505. The info display would show "Transmission Failure" on it. I had the speed sensor replace near transmission extension but did not fix the problem. I thought I was going to have to replace the speedo assembly and I went to the dealer to order part. A mechanic happened to be in the parts area and told be he thinks he remembers a Sevice Bullention having to do with 96 Q45 (first year for ODBII) and something about the four phillip head screws need tightening. I pulled mine and tightened every phillips head screw on the back. I had unscrew a part that block a couple of the screws to tighten them. So far after three days no speedo failure. I think this fixed it.Good luck.

p.s. I had the Q at the dealer and they told me it would cost $500 to fix it.

[Q45tech]

The purpose of standardizing many ODB2 codes across makes was so EVRYONE [car owners too] could purchase an inexpensive scanner and once purchased could be used on all cars for years to come.

The scanner reads out data from all the sensors so you can see the health of your engine/transmission/other systems BEFORE the MIL comes on!

[Q45tech]

Just Dawned on me that with an ODB2 scanner [since the 90-96 Q MAF are all the same] we could correlate MAF voltage [as read on Consult [or voltmeter] to the grams per second the OBD2 provides and graph the MAF voltage for early users.........probably accurate to 2-3%..............guestion if you can use a Consult and another simple OBD2 scanner simultaneously?

[96QQ45]

Thanks for all the tips, I think I'll try the autozone trick next time and post the findings for further advice. I'm not all that great on the technical side and don't have a lot of time for DIY but I do want to avoid the dealer!!

[deftdrummer]

im having codes go off in my car too and i went to auto zone today adn they told me they stopped free code diagnosing a year ago.

[GuidoInc]

I'm in Texas an I've noticed they took down the sign about "Is your check engine light on?" They still read mine but they don't seem to happy to do it. Maybe it will be something they won't do here anymore too in the future.

[Q451990]

They were actually advertising it on the radio here over the summer! Maybe it's a regional thing...

Heath