Service Engine Light P0430 2002 Infiniti QX4

[cjeagle1]

My service engine light turned on last week. I went to Autozone to get it read by the OBDII reader and got a reading of P0430 catalyst efficiency low-bank2.Probable causes is cat converter defective due to 1.engine misfire or running condition 2. large vacuum leak 3. engine oil leakage into exhaust-valve guide seals, piston rings. The guy at Autozone cleared it and the engine light has remained off since(3 days now). Normally I would just take a wait and see attitude until the light turns on again. But after asking the dealer I recently bought my 2002 QX4 last February from, a copy of their inspection records, apparently they had the same engine light and P0430 reading which they cleared and did nothing about after the light did not turn on again.

My question is whether I should wait for my service engine light to turn on again or have my truck checked. Apparently there is a service bulletin for this code p0430 for 2001 Qx4s to update the software. Should I go to the dealer to have this done?
Modified by cjeagle1 at 3:10 AM 4/26/2007

[uvacarbuff]

You are not too far from me in Illinois.

We are having a similar problem with our 2001 QX4, except ours is a recurring po420 code bank 1 and 2.

Could this need the dealer reflash as well?

[cjeagle1]

Does anybody have an opinion about myself and uva carbuff's engine light problems? I have taken a wait and see attitude on whether the service engine light turns on again since I think it is only the emission that if ever is being affected. When I had an oil change a couple of days ago my mechanic did not mention any problems and the car seems to be running smoothly as well. However this is the 2nd time that the service engine light turned on again with the same P0430 readout for a possible cat converter problem. I would appreciate any feedback from any knowledgeable nissan mechanics here.

[uvacarbuff]

Here is what I found out so far.

The 2001 QX4 has faulty ECU software. It is under service bulletin: ITB02050. It causes the P0420 and P0430 MIL to turn on despite the vehicle running well.

There is nothing wrong with the catalytic converters. There is a reflash that Nissan/Infiniti has for these vehicles with the problem.

Currently, the light is off on our QX4 and has been off for 3 days now.. once it comes back on, I am making an appointment at Goldcoast Infiniti and having them address the issue showing them this service bulletin.

Service Bulletin Number: 02050A Replacement Bulletin Number: 02050 NHTSA Item Number: 10001024 Date of Bulletin: 20030122 Failing Component: 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Date Added to File: 2003-04-10 Summary: MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420/P0430 BANK-1 / BANK-2 CATALYST STORED. *TT

Service Bulletin Number: ITB02050 Replacement Bulletin Number: NHTSA Item Number: 635641 Date of Bulletin: 20020901 Failing Component: 980000 OTHER Date Added to File: 2002-10-29 Summary: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND EITHER OR BOTH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0420 / P0430 BANK-1 / BANK-2 CATALYST STORED. *TT

Take care,Elias

[cjeagle1]

Hi Elias,

thanks for the reply. I did recall reading about a service bulletin for the 2001 QX4 addressing exactly this problem. From what I understand you need to have the dealer update your software to correct this problem for a price.

However I own a 2002 QX4. Does this service bulletin apply to this model year as well? Apparently when I requested the dealer for my truck's inspection records it did indicate the same engine light warning with the P0430 reading which did not recur after being cleared so they did not do anything about it. So far after I had Autozone clear the warning light after a recurrence, it has not come back as well(more than a week now).

I will adopt a wait and see attitude at this time since I don't seem to be having any obvious engine or exhaust problems at all except for the fuel economy which is absolutely horrendous. But that is the price you pay for getting a midsize SUV. Otherwise I am perfectly happy with all of its features.

If you see any bulletins for my model year truck please inform me. Good luck on your vehicle.

Chris

[uvacarbuff]

I haven't seen any bulletins for the 2002, only the 2001.

My only other suggestion is to buy your own OBDII scanner off eBay for around ~$70.00 so you can diagnose and clear codes on your own.

I have one and it has already paid for itself 15 times over... the dealer or shops charger a minumum of $40.00 to read codes and Autozone is not always a stones throw away.

[Buzzman]

Hey, if I read you correctly, then this problem was there before you bought the truck. The dealer saw the codes, and did nothing about it before they sold it to you.In my book that means it's not your problem. The dealer should fix this for free.Go after them.Good luck.

[cjeagle1]

Yes, the dealer's inspection records showed that the truck had the same P0430 warning light which they cleared and did nothing about. However I bought the truck AS IS and signed a document to that effect. Do I have any recourse if the same problem recurs again inspite of agreeing to the AS IS conditions buzzman?