I need to get a car inspection soon and I'm fairly confident that this is an electrical issue and nothing real. I got into an accident several years ago and since then I've been having minor electrical issues (for instance, my sun roof occassionally gets stuck before shutting completely.) This light has come on a few times in the past and there was never anything wrong with the car, so I'm thinking that it's the same situation. I'd prefer not to bring the car to Nissan and give them the opportunity to make up something that's wrong with my car (besides for the electrical issues that they've never been able to fix.)
2007-02-07 13:07:47 · 13 answers · asked by dullerd 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
What year Nissan?
If the car is 1996 or newer, you need an OBD II code reader or scanner.
Many times you can ask the nice folks at the local discount auto parts store to retrieve the codes for you , then you can proceed with the required repair. (Refer to the repair manual for directions for whichever code(s) you retrieve.
You should know:----> If the lamp is on all the time, or will not come in for a few seconds after the key is turned on, the car will fail inspection. If you cover the bulb with tape, it will fail.
If you ask the fellows at the parts store to turn it off, and you don't drive the car long enough to reset the MONITORS, (Usually around 300 miles of normal driving, NOT a single trip) the car will fail.
If the car is 1995 or older, go here----->
http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-46a.htm
…and scroll down below the code descriptions for a discussion of the procedure for retrieving the diagnostic codes. Then refer to the chart to identify the system that will require diagnosis and repair.
Happy Motoring
2007-02-07 13:22:09 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't say what year your vehicle is, but if it is a1995 or older, you can try disconnecting the battery and sometimes that will make the light go off. If this works, hopefully it will stay off long enough for you to get the inspection done. Also, you don't say what state you live in, but in California, if your car is a 1996 or newer, part of the inspection is a computer check of the monitors governing parts of the emission control systems. If you have 3 or more monitors which are not ready, your vehicle will fail the test. Your best bet is to take your vehicle in for a test and have the system diagnosed as to why the check engine light is on. Maybe you can find a good mechanic at an independent garage that can do this for you and you won't have to take your vehicle to Nissan, which undoubtedly will cost you twice or three times as much. Good luck. Hope this helps.
2007-02-07 21:29:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can go to a mechanic and have the error code read, then you'd know what the car "thinks" is wrong. If you really don't care to see the light ever again (even if something is wrong) then remove the light bulb that is in the dash. Another thing you can do is place some black vinyl electrical tape over the indicator on the instrument cluster. You may still see it glow a bit, but you can ignore it more easily - your call.
2007-02-07 21:13:57 · answer #3 · answered by Daremo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those lights often are programed to light when you get to a certain mileage so you will get the car serviced. It won't turn off until it is reset by a mechanic with a computer diagnostic connection. It doesn't necessarily mean that there is a problem but the only way to know is to bring it to a mechanic to get read.
A mechanic will usually give you a free estimate on any job. If they plug you in, they'll be able to tell what it is.
2007-02-07 21:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The computer monitors a lot of things, but your sun roof isn't one ot them.
Take it in and have them scan it for error codes. That will give you a place to start. Once the problems have been corrected the light will stay off.
2007-02-07 21:16:53 · answer #5 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of Three ways.
1. Disconnect your car Battery for a few Min. and turn the ignition on.
2. Find your test port and groun out each pin with a wire to your car's frame.
3. Take out the light bulb.
Also of you have a local auto parts store like Auto Zone they can do it the right way for you......FOR FREE!!!
2007-02-07 21:13:16 · answer #6 · answered by steffenhymel 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If your vehicle is 96 and newer only an OBDII code reader can erase the check engine light. Disconnecting the battery DOES NOT work, that is a myth..... when your check engine light comes on it is beacuse something is bad, usually a sensor, the code is stored in your computer as a hard fault.... only the OBDII scanner can erase it.
2007-02-07 22:01:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
We got an oil change in our car and the service engine light went off. Maybe yours just needs something that simple.
2007-02-07 21:18:38 · answer #8 · answered by froggsfriend 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Try disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes to see if that will reset your computer!
If not, go to someplace like auto zone and have the code read for free!!!
2007-02-07 21:12:52 · answer #9 · answered by fire4511 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you can try taking the battery cable off if it for a few minutes and see if that does it,or have auto zone clear it off right before you go for the test ,it might stay off long enough to pass inspection,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.
2007-02-07 21:12:59 · answer #10 · answered by dodge man 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋