Service engine soon and poor running engine

CyBwRBill · 08-22-2004, 10:10 PM

Fri night, I was backing in the drive and the engine felt a bit rough. It came out of the blue...no preindication. Yesterday, I started up the truck and put it in drive and it ran like sh!t. It felt like it was running of 7 cylinders. The oil pressure and temp held good. Cleared up a bit but still was not right. Today the same thing.

However, tonight, I get in and the thing is running great (same tank of gas). No code light and all is back to normal.

Could the code still be stored somewhere? I want the dealer to tell me what happened.

What might be happening here?

tnbowhunter · 08-22-2004, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyBwRBill

Fri night, I was backing in the drive and the engine felt a bit rough. It came out of the blue...no preindication. Yesterday, I started up the truck and put it in drive and it ran like sh!t. It felt like it was running of 7 cylinders. The oil pressure and temp held good. Cleared up a bit but still was not right. Today the same thing.

However, tonight, I get in and the thing is running great (same tank of gas). No code light and all is back to normal.

Could the code still be stored somewhere? I want the dealer to tell me what happened.

What might be happening here?

sooooo, did the service engine light come on or not??

abmobil · 08-22-2004, 11:08 PM

The light should have come on but some components on nissans will cause poor performance and not set the light on but it will still store a code, example my dads 01 supercharged frontier was having boost drop, it was definently down on power but otherwise idled normally and did not throw the light on. Got the computer scanned and it had stored a knock sensor malfuntion code. Knock sensor replaced and problem solved. Not saying you have a bad knock sensor but its possible to have a code without the light. I would get it to the dealer and have them scan it.

JetTech · 08-23-2004, 04:00 AM

it may very well have stored a code. pm me and I'll send you the do-it-yourself procedures on how to get the SES light to flash out the codes later on this evening after I get home for work, or maybe someone else can post them.

I'll try it off the top of my head for you, oh and you'll need a watch with a second hand because this procedure needs to be done exact and can take several tries before you get it. Just keep trying...

1. Turn ignition switch to on, wait exactly 3 seconds, push accelerator pedal to the floor and release 5 times in less then 5 seconds.
2. Wait exactly 7 seconds after you release the accelerator pedal for the 5th time, then push the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold for at least 10 seconds. The SES light will begin to flash a code. If it keeps flashing 10 times then pauses, that means no stored codes, if it's anything less than that count the flashes and post them here. Good luck and it might take 6 times or so before you get the SES light to flash because the wait times are exact....

Truck41 · 08-23-2004, 04:14 AM

it may have been a small amount of water in tank, that's my guess.

CyBwRBill · 08-23-2004, 08:08 AM

Yes, the service engine soon light came on. Stayed on all weekend and then went off totally on Sunday. This thing ran like a real dog and when I would try to blow it out, the light would start flashing until I got off the gas. If I just tooled around normall, the light stayed solid.

Just called the dealership and was told I could bring it in if I wanted to but it could be something as minute as a loose gas cap (I did check it yesterday and tighten it and shortly after the light went out). He said if it is running fine now, keep an eye on it and let me know if it starts back up.

Will a slightly loose gas cap cause a loss in fuel pressure? Ths happened about a 1/3 of the way into a tank of gas.

CyBwRBill · 08-23-2004, 08:13 AM

Will give it a shot and see what I come up with.

JMC · 08-23-2004, 08:26 AM

Most of all the newer rides have pressurized??? fuel systems I think. I know a loose cap will produce check engine light on Jeeps and Dodges also.

GETSOMZ28 · 08-23-2004, 08:28 AM

Yes, a loose gas cap will set of the SES light. You could just go to an Autozone, they can bring up the code and clear it.

Austin · 08-23-2004, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyBwRBill

when I would try to blow it out, the light would start flashing until I got off the gas.

A flashing MIL (malfunction indicator lamp, check engine light, service engine light) indicates a misfiring condition.

OBD2 protocol says that the light will flash and then extinguish for the first misfire event. The light will flash and then remain illuminated for the second and subsequent misfire events.

Misfire events are much more likely to happen under increased load, so your description of events is consistent.

A misfire is basically anytime the air/fuel mixture in a cylinder doesn't ignite. It can be caused by an extremely lean or extremely rich mixture, improper spark plug timing or a fouled spark plug.

These things can be caused by, for example, improperly calibrated/dirty air flow meter, too large of a spark plug gap, innaccurate readings from a crank position sensor or a camshaft position sensor, ignition coil malfunction, computer glitch, etc.

You to go down and the code read at your local Autozone, but since the truck is under warranty and you're just going to take it in to the dealer to get fixed, don't bother getting the code read.

If you decide to read your own code: Misfire codes are P0301 through P0308 - Cylinder #1 through Cylinder #8 misfire.

creaturefromthedeep · 08-23-2004, 07:59 PM

Mass air flow connection, check it. I had the same problem.

CyBwRBill · 08-23-2004, 10:56 PM

just a loose connection??

pciley · 08-23-2004, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetTech

it may very well have stored a code. pm me and I'll send you the do-it-yourself procedures on how to get the SES light to flash out the codes later on this evening after I get home for work, or maybe someone else can post them.

I'll try it off the top of my head for you, oh and you'll need a watch with a second hand because this procedure needs to be done exact and can take several tries before you get it. Just keep trying...

Jet, I never did get that procedure to work, though it seems consistant to what the service manual says. I even tried it immediately after several runs of different distances (didn't just go out in the garage and try it without a run). I don't know if the dealership will release info like this to me, so I'll just keep wondering what I'm doing wrong...

CyBwRBill, if you had an SES light on, it DEFINITELY got stored.. try checking front O2 sensors and the MAF/IAT sensor.

To clear the code from memory, just disconnect the battery for a couple of hours. You'll lose radio stations, but you will not get in trouble if you go in for service. If you don't have any mods done, take it to the dealer and let them figure it out. Would hate for you to have a long-term problem looming.

JetTech · 08-24-2004, 10:45 AM

Just keep trying pciley, you'll get it eventually. Like I said earlier though make sure to use a watch with a second hand on it because if you don't hit it exact it won't work for you...

CyBwRBill · 09-01-2004, 01:53 PM

and getting worse. This situation is most prevalent on cold start-up, however, this condition will creep up almost anytime.

Been at the dealership since noon. Codes are stored but condition not present. They clear the codes and yet the code returns. Still can't duplicate the problem.

I told them since the problem is almost always prevalent on cold start to keep it overnight. They are putting me in a rental until tomorrow. We'll let you know what they find. They are having to involved Nissan in this matter for help.