SES Light came on, have code!

[cctaylor1988]

I own a 2004 Infiniti G35 Sedan (RWD) and my SES light recently came on and has been bothering me to death, I need to fix it but don't know how. I went to 2 different autocare places (autozone and advance auto parts if it matters) and luckily both gave me the same code p1283. BUT They both gave me completely different answers...one guy said it was an 02 sensor and another said it isn't and that its an "air solenoid" I am convinced it is an 02 sensor after reading through some other people who have experienced some car symptoms that I am having, such as bad mpg and gas mileage.

I am very frustrated as I am not a car guy what so ever and now have to do all the research myself, but at least I got two of the same code. So what I am asking.. p1283. What exactly is it?! And if it is indeed an 02 sensor then I know there are 4 different 02 sensors on my vehicle correct? I don't want to buy all of them when I can just replace whichever one is bad. That is where you guys can hopefully come in and save me!

Any help is appreciated.

[sx moneypit]

It is the bank 2,sensor 1.

[cctaylor1988]

Yes but when i go to the part store what do i buy specifically. they always have upstream or downstream and Idk what exactly bank 2 sensor 1 means.. is that drivers or passenger side and which of the 2 sensors on that side?

[sx moneypit]

It is the upstream sensor on the driver's side of the car.

[cctaylor1988]

Can I ask you a question, i am almost scared to just fix this sensor.. I mean isnt it going off for a reason? Like my A/F ratio is off.. could that possibly be due to exhaust issues? Like if I have holes in my muffler etc...

[cctaylor1988]

I appreciate your help so far. I just feel like the sensor is reading the code because of another condition isnt that possible? Or if i replace the sensor my car should be fine?

[sx moneypit]

Can I ask you a question, i am almost scared to just fix this sensor.. I mean isnt it going off for a reason? Like my A/F ratio is off.. could that possibly be due to exhaust issues? Like if I have holes in my muffler etc...

If you have exhaust problems you need to take care of those first.Any unmetered air is going cause a false reading.Holes in the muffler shouldn't affect it since they are downstream from the sensors.

[cctaylor1988]

Okay so Im going to have to fix my exhaust issues first? Im saying this bc my car has gotten a lot louder and there are holes in the exhaust.. but more under the body not so much by the engine as far as I know, can this alone cause this code?

[sx moneypit]

Okay so Im going to have to fix my exhaust issues first? Im saying this bc my car has gotten a lot louder and there are holes in the exhaust.. but more under the body not so much by the engine as far as I know, can this alone cause this code?

If the holes are in the exhaust pipes,you need to get those fixed first.How many miles are on the car?

[cctaylor1988]

87K

[sx moneypit]

87K

With that many miles it could be a dead or lazy sensor.You should get a technician to scan the system and see what is going on.You could save yourself a lot of money.

[cctaylor1988]

A technician will charge a flat fee to give me a code I already know will come up though you know? A lot of people seem to think its a BS phantom code that really doesn't affect how the car drives... and just delete it with their Osiris kits if applicable. Man idk what to do... may just have to live with the SES light always being on :/ ... i mean i feel like if i buy the sensor to replace it will still come on..?

[sx moneypit]

I am not talking about finding the code.The car needs to scanned completely to see what is actually going on with the air/fuel ratio.I am headed home now,i will check back tomorrow.

[cctaylor1988]

Alright, appreciate it

[darylzero]

A technician will charge a flat fee to give me a code I already know will come up though you know? A lot of people seem to think its a BS phantom code that really doesn't affect how the car drives... and just delete it with their Osiris kits if applicable. Man idk what to do... may just have to live with the SES light always being on :/ ... i mean i feel like if i buy the sensor to replace it will still come on..?

You just said earlier,

some other people who have experienced some car symptoms that I am having, such as bad mpg and gas mileage.

!??

You have 3 options

1. Buy the O2 sensor and replace it yourself. Clear code and see if it comes back.

2. Bring the car in to a professional mechanic and have them look over the entire car and see if they say anything else may be contributing to the code; or just other problems in general.

3. Forget about it and keep driving.

Personally I would replace the O2 myself and see if it improves. Your exhust would probably need to be checked at some point. I'm not sure about that part sx moneypit would know better.

I understand not everyone can afford to fix their cars at one time or another, so it's really up to you to decide.