Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'96
Nissan Maxima, Check Engine Light
Q:
I have a
‘96 Maxima. The Check Engine Warning light came on but the car is
not giving me any problem. What do I do to make this warning go away?
.....Isaac
A:
The first thing I always suggest to my customers is to check the gas cap.
That’s right check the gas cap. On ‘96 and up vehicle’s
the computer will turn on the check engine light if the gas cap is left
loose. Nothing I dislike anymore than plugging in a computer scan tool
and handing a customer a bill for tightening a loose gas cap. The scan
tool we use costs big money and the annual software updates makes Windows
updates look like a five & dime special. If the gas cap is loose,
tighten it up and drive the vehicle a day or two. If that was the problem
the Check Engine light will go out. But, if the Check Engine light stays
on you’ll have to have a computer scan tool connected to your vehicle’s
computer to find out just why the warning light is on. One other note,
if the Check Engine light starts flashing, that’s your vehicle’s
computer having a panic attack. A flashing Check Engine light means there
is a problem/trouble and not to drive your vehicle.
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