Yes, in the car community, the check engine light on the dashboard is the most feared thing. Because this means you have a problem with the engine or powertrain system in your car. And repairing engine problems will not be generally basic things to solve and generally they are high in price. Here we explain the common causes of Nissan check engine light. And we explain to them how to solve it without any problem. You can also find information about the general prices of the solutions.
Nissan Check Engine Light Common Causes
The check engine light is an important dashboard symbol that flickers if you have a problem with your engine or powertrain system. And also it is very important to know the general causes of these problems.
1 – Loose Gas Cap
It is one of the most common reasons why you are seeing the Nissan check engine light. The most common reason for it, the gas cap of the car is loosened. Also, fixing this problem is very simple. You just need to tighten the gas cap again. And you will see that the Nissan check engine light was gone.
We wish that you only have this problem. Because there are no costs of part changes or repairs. And we can recommend you make a joke to your friend 🙂 If your friend a lower than his or her Nissan car, you can tighten the gas cap to make the check engine light on the dashboard. And your friend will see it on the dashboard and be shocked.
Do not hold this joke very long and say that you made a joke and tighten the gas cap 🙂
2 – Problems with Spark Plugs
Also, you can have problems with your spark plugs. Spark plugs are very important parts of the ignition system of the engine. They are responsible for burning the fuel inside the cylinders. When it is sparked, the air-fuel mixture inside the cylinder burns and creates energy inside the engine. So, if the spark plug does not work, the air-fuel mixture will not burn inside the cylinder.
All the cylinders have their spark plugs. And if all the spark plugs do not work, you need to check the distributor which provides the electricity to them. You can feel that the engine stops immediately while you are driving.
Also if you have a problem with one of your spark plugs, you will feel it as a performance loss in the engine. Because you are not taking power from one of your cylinders.
How to Fix?
You need to change the old spark plugs with the new ones. Also, there are different methods to clean the spark plugs. If you are familiar with automotive mechanics, you can detach the spark plug and clean it. Because carbon buildup is a common problem in spark plug systems. Once you clean it, it will start working properly.
If you are not familiar with it and the problem is not the carbon buildup, it will be much better to bring your car to a mechanic or Nissan service. The price of the OEM spark plugs can change between $30-$40. Also if you buy an aftermarket one, one of these spark plugs can have $20. And also if we consider the general labor costs, you will pay around $100 in total to change the spark plug.
Also changing the distributor system will cost around $250 including all costs.
3 – Problems with Catalytic Converter
Another common cause of the Nissan check engine light is the problems that you have with your catalytic converters. Because if the catalytic converter fails it will not convert the bad gases that come from the engine cylinders to the catalytic converter to less poisonous gases before expelling outside. And if you have a problem with the gases that you are expelling, the Nissan check engine light will be on.
The most common problem of it is damage to the catalytic converter. Catalytic converters reside at the bottom of the car. It can be damaged because of the impacts coming from the road and bottom. So, if you have a problem like this, you will get the check engine light.
Also, carbon buildup and cloggings can be problems inside the catalytic converter. The passing through the catalytic converters will be very hard for the exhaust gases. And the engine must expend more power to do it. And you will feel it as a performance loss in your engine.
Above all, if you have damage to the catalytic converter, you will hear different and bad sounds coming from the exhaust system.
Fixing the Nissan Catalytic Converter
If you have damage to your catalytic converter, you need to change it with a new one. The catalytic converters change between $100-$350 according to the quality and aftermarket or OEM. And also if you bring your car to a mechanic or Nissan service, you will pay around $150-$200 for the labor.
Also, you can attach the catalytic converter on your own if you are familiar with the car mechanics. A basic fastener system holds the catalytic converter on the exhaust system of your car. You need to lift the car with a hydraulic or mechanical lifter and change the converter with a set of a basic wrench or screwdriver systems.
Also if the catalytic converter is clogged, it is very easy to clean the converter. There are special catalytic converter cleaners that you can clean these systems without any problem. And also you can easily apply them without any problem. You just need to read the instructions from the cleaners.
And also you can bring your car to the service to clean the catalytic converter of your Nissan car.
4 – Problems with Electric System and Battery
If your battery is low or dead, the engine will stop working. Because the electrical system can not provide electricity to your Nissan car. This means the spark plugs will not work.
Also if you have a problem with the alternator, the battery will be dead after a while. Because the engine can not charge the battery and the battery drains out.
There are also problems with the cable connections between the vital parts of the engine and the electrical system of the car. For example, damages to the cards and cables are the most common problems with electrical systems.
In the case of the problems above, the Nissan check engine light always is on every time.
Fixing Electrical Problems
When it comes to the electrical system of the car, the cause of the problem can have different aspects. So, it is very important to consider the problem properly if you want to deal with the problem.
If your battery is dead, the real cause of it, you leave one of the headlights on. Also if you have a problem with your alternator, the battery of your car will be dead. You just solve it by changing the alternator with a new one. You can not do it on your own. And you need to take your car to Nissan service. All the prices including the labor costs will around be $350-$500 according to the part which is aftermarket or OEM part.
Also if you have a problem with the cable connections, you need to bring your Nissan car to a car electric expert. Probably it is very hard to find the problematic cable and change it. And if you have a problem with only one cable, you will just pay around $50-$75.
Furthermore, if you noticed that you left the car headlight on, you just need to make an electric transfer from another car. You can do it by yourself.
5 – Oxygen Sensor Problem
Oxygen sensors are the most common problems of the Nissan check engine light. You will have Nissan check engine light if the oxygen sensor does not work properly.
If you have a problem with your oxygen sensor, you will feel it as a power loss in your car. Because the oxygen sensor can not send information to the ECU system of the car about the oxygen level in the exhaust fume. And according to toı the information ECU can not adjust the optimum level of fuel in the cylinders. This means you will have misfires, and different sounds coming from the engine and you will have engine performance loss.
Fixing the Oxygen Sensor of Nissan Cars
The oxygen sensor is placed right after the catalytic converters in most vehicles. And you can easily rip the sensor off with the help of a basic wrench or screwdriver set. And there will be electrical and ECU connections. You need to disconnect these cables if you take the oxygen sensor out.
You can attach a new oxygen sensor instead of the old one. And also you can clean the oxygen sensor with special cleaners. Because carbon buildup can be a serious problem to withstand the working of the oxygen sensor.
The prices of the oxygen sensors can change between $30-$100 according to the aftermarket or OEM parts. And if you bring your car to Nissan service because of the problem with the oxygen sensor, they will attach the OEM part and you will pay around $200 including the labor costs.
6 – Aftermarket Items
If you installed aftermarket items, the Nissan check engine light can be on because of it. Because aftermarket parts will not provide the numerical information and outputs to the ECU like the OEM parts. And this will make the check engine light on.
So we recommend you that refrain from the aftermarket items. And always choose the OEM items for Nissan. The best way to do it, you can bring your car to Nissan service if your check engine light is on.
7 – Problems with Mass Air Flow Sensor
In Nissan cars, the mass air flow sensor is another sensor that makes the ECU adjust the level of fuel in the air-fuel mixture. The MAF sensor provides information on the total air coming to the air manifold. And the ECU adjusts the best amount of fuel for that air.
So, if you have a problem with the mass air flow sensor, you will feel it is like an engine stall and performance losses. You will have the same symptoms with the problematic oxygen sensor that we explained above.
Fixing the Problems of Mass Air Flow Sensor
In general, fixing the problem of mass aşr flow sensor is very simple. First of all, you need to check the cable connections between the ECU system and the battery system. The change of the cable connections will generally cost around $50-$75.
Also if you need to change the MAF sensor you need to bring your car to a Nissan service. The costs of the change of the MAF sensor will cost the same as the oxygen sensor in general.
So these are the general problems that you can face if you are getting a Nissan check engine light problem.
Bring Your Car to a Nissan Service!
There can be various reasons for this problem as you see above. And locating the exact problem is not an easy thing if you are not experienced or familiar with car mechanics.
You need to bring your car to service for the exact problem of your car if you are seeing a check engine light. They will locate the problem by examining your car with special devices from the ECU system. And they will apply the best solution for it.
Also continuing to drive with the Nissan check engine light is not a good idea. Because you can have a basic problem with your systems. But this problem can lead to much bigger problems that will cost much higher costs. Do not be stubborn about the situation and drive to Nissan service!
Last Words on Nissan Check Engine Light
We tried to give comprehensive information about the general causes and general fixes and costs of the Nissan check engine light. If you are not familiar with the car mechanics, just drive to a Nissan service safely.
If you have additional comments and questions about the Nissan check engine light, please leave them below.
Also, you can check the related topics;
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Volkswagen Check Engine Light – Causes, Fixes and Prices
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Hyundai Check Engine Light – Common Causes and Fixes
Buick Check Engine Light – Common Causes and Solutions
References
All Nissan User Manuals – nissanusa.com
