Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46
Answer to front O2 sensor removal for 96 maxima bolt is real tight brought part from advance auto universal O2 had to do a little wiring had to use a breaking bar on end of retch need a strong person to help.
Most people that posted that have gone to the dealership. seems like you guys got the run-around, especially the one with the gas cap fix. He was making fun of you!
Anyway, go to a shop that is owner operated, before you go to a dealer. Owners are usually better mechs than dealer techs.
I have a cel for a 02 sensor. I am going to try to do it myself, since I definitely don't think it's worth paying 200 for that.
I have a 95 Maxima that I have owned since 95 used (14K miles). It now has 167,000 miles and very few problems.
I just had the knock sensor replaced for $250.00. Everything has to break sooner or later.
The car still runs like a scalded cat! My wife runs 89 in it; I'll be encouraging her to use 93 instead (at least once a month).
For the most part Nissan are very reliable. Find a good shop you trust and stop being ripped off by the dealerships. I agree with the previous post about a owner shop, that is what I do. Also, shops in the high rent areas have higher overhead, and thus tend to have a higher hourly rate.
Well, I bought my '95 Nissan Maxima GLE used in April '07. It had 184,000 miles on it.
The first thing I had to do was change out the brake pads in the front because the previous neglected to it even though I could see the car was well maintained.
One of the struts had failed and so I changed all of them, including the mounts and boots because of the amount of miles on them. I did well though, purchasing the parts new off of ebay and other websites, totaling only $400 for KYB parts. I got a CarMax tech to install for $250. Alignment was then $60.
I failed emissions and realized the check engine light bulb was out. An O2 sensor was out as well as the knock sensor. I changed both myself and got genuine nissan parts New off of ebay for only $130 for both. The knock sensor took some perseverance, but I got it loose after working the bolt for a few days, about 10 minutes each day, without removing the exhaust manifold.
Most recently, the MAF has gone out and I will replace that soon. Thinking of getting a used one though.
Overall, this is a great car. I drives well when the MAF was working properly and it was a great upgrade to what I was previously driving. I've even got new wheels for it. I had to change the stereo too, but all the speakers are in great condition.
I just checked and got a knock sensor code. Car would not start so I cleared the code and checked the gas cap. It felt loose so I will replace that, and after clearing the code and retightening the gas cap, the car starts fine.
OK I am having almost the exact opposite problem of some of you guys with the check engine light. I can't get the darn thing to turn on. The reason this is a problem is because in NJ it won't pass inspection with out it illuminating. So I took the dash out... checked the socket for juice...good. Checked the Bulb...good. Anyone out there either know how to fix this or have had this problem?
Hello, I have a 1996 Maxima. It runs great; never had a problem with it, but now I'm at 140k miles and the cel came on. I was told it was a knock sensor and purge valve solenoid, but it still runs fine other than the rpms are low and shift awkwardly. I think if I replace the knock sensor and replace the other sensors, this car will be strong and last.
I would recommend to just fix the sensors, but shop around; the prices on all the parts I bought were very different, from ridiculous to good cheap parts. So don't be a fool; use a computer to shop!!!.
I have a '99 Maxima SE and I've had several problems with oxygen sensors in the past. I have recently had problems with the coil packs and the knock sensor. Apparently there is a service bulletin to replace all the coil packs (according to the dealership). All in all, it would cost me $1500 to replace them, together with the knock sensor. I replaced the coil packs myself, and I am wondering where the knock sensor is located in this car. I am a real novice when it comes to engine repair. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks.
I own '97 Maxima GXE since '99 (42000km). Didn't have any major problems until this year (it now has 148000km, around (90,000 mles). CEL keeps coming up. Symptoms were that (intermittently) if RPMs are around 1500-2500, RPM needle would vibrate (300-400 RPMS) and it wouldn't react on accelerator pedal further depressed. If I lift my foot of the pedal for a second it would go back to normal until next time. The problem is that the next time might be in 10 seconds or 2 days. So far, I had NOx replaced (the code was there, although sensor checked out in the test procedure), fuel filter, and after another CEL one of the rear O2 sensors. 10 minutes after I drove out from the mechanics the same unresponsivness and "wobbly" RPM needle between 1500-2500. I want to buy a new car, but I am currently without a job and I can't keep pouring money into this.
Does anybody know if the computer needs to be reprogramed after replacing NOx or O2 sensors, and if it does, what is the procedure?
Thanks for any help coming this way.
I have a 1999 maxima se manual tranny. Replaced knock sensor replaced #4 coil for misfire installed new ngk plugs ran great across town got home and put aftermarket stereo in. Now will not start I am getting fuel through fuel filter, but still will not start cranks over fine, no smoke from exhaust when cranking please help if possible.
11th Nov 2005, 00:07
"In my state, if a sensor is not working or is disconnected, the car will not pass inspection. A car cannot pass with the check engine light on. The car is connected to the code reader to check the sensors and also must pass an active smog test with the engine running."
That is true only in some states. My vehicle passed the Texas state inspection with the Service Engine Soon light clearly illuminating. In fact, it had done so the previous year and passed the inspection. It all just depends on what actually is wrong with the vehicle. I know someone who owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am and her light stays on all the time.
What is wrong with you guys!!! Someone spending $950 for the sensor, and someone spending $1500. Come on people. Use your computer to shop.
If your car is not as fast as it used to be, and the car has more than 80000 miles on it, then just do yourselves a favor; go to eBay (or shop around) and buy yourselves a KNOCK SENSOR, FRONT AND REAR O2 SENSORS. I paid 52 shipped for the knock sensor, and it was Nissan part too. I changed it myself. It took me about 25 minutes. In about an hour or so I was done with all the sensors.
So moral of the story is that, shop around and go to maxima.org or other forum sites so you can search and get information, and install those sensors yourself.
Good luck.
I have a 1997 Maxima. The check engine light came on a couple months ago. The mechanic indicated the codes were for knock sensor and EGR valve. I already had EGR valve replaced six months ago. Anyway, the battery cables were corroded so he cleaned them and reset the light. It came back on two months later for two weeks and turned off again. We haven't been using premium gas. Can that make a difference?
I have a 1996 Maxima, which has worked very well for me. 90% of the time, unless I am broke, I use premium gas. Certain gas stations will make my light come on until that gas burns out or about 2 fill ups. I had a check engine light two years ago, Nissan stated it was the knocks sensor, temp sensor and oxygen sensor. All about $950 to fix all three. I went to firestone, they only detected oxygen sensor. They fixed it, light came back on, and he cleaned the wires and lights stayed off until now. Autozone says egr valve and knocks sensor ($297 for parts only) are not functioning. But again, I used a diff gas station because I had a discount of $2.00 a gallon. Hopefully after filling up twice with my regular gas stations, shell or sunoco, the light will go off. Stay tuned...
In reference to the August 20, 2008 previous post, I let my school auto class place my car on the diagnostic machine and it only coded for knock sensor. After about 5 fill-ups, the light has gone back off. Hopefully for good, no more cheap gas for me!!!