View Full Version : 'Service engine soon' light on 2001 Sentra... car experts?
ryanghall
10-07-2005, 08:06 PM
If anyone here is really good with cars, I could use some help.
My girlfriend and I just bought a used car (2001 Nissan Sentra GXE) and the fifth time she's driven it, the 'Service Engine Soon' light has come on. The car only has 32,000 kms on it.
Is this something I need to worry about or has the computer likely just not been reset after the last oil change? Any car experts have insight into this?
Ryan
Patrick del Poker Grande
10-07-2005, 08:08 PM
Close the gas cap and make sure you get a decent tank of gas next time you fill up.
mmbt0ne
10-07-2005, 08:09 PM
It's very important to know if this is a 'Service Engine' light, or a 'Check Engine' light. Service Engine would imply to me that it is time for some routine maintenance that the dealer wants to do there so that you can pay them more money. Check Engine would imply an actual problem.
ryanghall
10-07-2005, 08:12 PM
This is only a "Service Engine Soon" light.
To the other poster, I did tighten the gas cap about an hour ago but we started the car and the light was still on... if this is the problem would the light go back off immediately or would it take a little while?
Ryan
cardcounter0
10-07-2005, 08:14 PM
I think it means the engine requires service soon.
cardcounter0
10-07-2005, 08:18 PM
In that case, it means the engine might require service soon.
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Close the gas cap and make sure you get a decent tank of gas next time you fill up.
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This just happened to me. I brought it to the dealership and they told me the gas cap was loose. $65.00 it cost. Try this first and save yourself some dough.
theghost
10-07-2005, 08:30 PM
I am dead serious when I say the best way to fix this is to put a small piece of black tape over it. No joke.
Jimbo
10-07-2005, 08:53 PM
As other posters have pointed out,either your fuel cap was loose or your evaporative control valve is faulty. It costs about $40 American to buy and is easy to replace. If you go to fill up and it is difficult to fill your tank it is the valve, if it fills normally then your cap was just loose.
The light will go out after a few days if the condition is remedied.
Six_of_One
10-08-2005, 02:26 AM
I have a 2000 Sentra, and the same light is always on these days...at the dealer last time I had it in for service, they told me it was because the catalytic converter is bad, and I'll fail my next smog test if I don't replace it.
Or it could be the gas cap, who knows.
MelchyBeau
10-08-2005, 02:29 AM
Autozone will read your computer for free. Take advantage of this.
Melch
Ray Zee
10-08-2005, 10:13 AM
a place with a code reader can give you and idea what it is. i would use the black electrical tape over the light until it burns out in a few years. try the gas cap but remember it takes up to ten restarts and trips with some cars for it to reset correctly on its own after its fixed.
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remember it takes up to ten restarts and trips with some cars for it to reset correctly on its own after its fixed.
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This is true, however as an alternative you can disconnect your battery for about half an hour, that should reset all the error codes. Actually I recommend you do that anyways, just to see if if pops back up, or the warning goes away.
Just so you know you're probably gonna lose stuff like your radio presets, etc.
TheBlueMonster
10-08-2005, 07:37 PM
My parents have a Subaru Outback. The 'check engine' light came on. I asked him what he was going to do about the warning light and he said "put a piece of black tape over it...."
PokerGoblin
10-08-2005, 09:18 PM
I haven't seen so much bad advice from unqualified people in quite a while. Ignore a check engine on a late model car... brilliant suggestion guys.
When the S.E.S. light comes on, it means something is not right with the engine/drivetrain and it needs to be addressed by a professional. The kids that work at AutoZone are not professionals. They MIGHT be able to scan it and read the code, but they won't be able to tell what triggered it. They are just trying to sell parts.
It is possible the gas cap is loose. Modern cars have prssure sensors inside the gas tank and the fluctuations in pressure caused by having a loose cap triggers a code in the computer and the light comes on.
Keep in mind, tightening the gas cap if it is loose will not make the light go out. All cars 1996 and newer are equipped with a OBD2 PCM system, which means in most cases the dash warning light does not go out even if the problem is solved. It is designed to come on and stay on. Special scanners are required to make the light go out.
There are about 150 different engine and drivetrain systems that are monitored by the on board diagnostics computer. A lot of the codes are harmless, but the only way to find out is to have it scanned. Since you just bought it I assume you have some kind of temporary warranty, take it back there and have them check it out.
Cars build prior to 1996 are equipped w/ OBD1 systems and the light will only come on while the problem is occuring.
PG
Dr. Strangelove
10-08-2005, 09:31 PM
I have a '97 ford escort. The service engine soon light has been on for a couple years. It seems ok.
wacki
10-08-2005, 09:41 PM
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Close the gas cap and make sure you get a decent tank of gas next time you fill up.
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Hey, I just defended by saying you were not being a retard. What's up with the stupid posts?
PokerGoblin
10-08-2005, 09:53 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I have a '97 ford escort. The service engine soon light has been on for a couple years. It seems ok.
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It probably is then. All I am saying is that SES lights are nothing to be taken lightly until you know for sure why it is on.
TheBlueMonster
10-08-2005, 11:47 PM
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I haven't seen so much bad advice from unqualified people in quite a while. Ignore a check engine on a late model car... brilliant suggestion guys.
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