extracting codes

[73 six twenty]

Hey guys what's up? I just bought a 1993 Nissan Sentra with the 1.6L DOHC engine. I need to smog it to complete the registration, but the check engine light is on. I need to know how to extract the codes from the car. It is an Obd1 computer system so the code readers for obd2 won't work on it. I bought the repair manual but it says to pull the computer to extract codes. Is this the only way? I would appreciate any help thanks.

[thisismatt]

This may help (it's the same process for other nissan/infiniti models as well, so worth a try...might be a different listing, though):

 

http://wikiautorepair.org/wiki/Nissan_Sentra_%281991-1994%29_SR20_-_Reading_ECU_Codes

[73 six twenty]

Thanks for the information. I will try this testing out. And see what is triggering the check engine light. I post what I find. Thanks again for the help.

[73 six twenty]

Hey guys, I finally had time to extract the codes from the computer. It flashed the code 55 which according to the repair manual states that all systems are operating normally. So I performed the re-set procedure and the check engine light went out for about 30 miles,but then the check engine light came back on. Is this normal? I will check the codes again and post what codes it gives me this time. Just wondering if someone has had this happen before? Any advice would be appreciated.

[MikeRL411]

You need to find out what is going on with the "Normal" readout plus check engine light. The California DMV weenies will not proceed with inspection if the light is on. At worst, reset the light before entering the inspection line. Good luck!

[datzenmike]

Unplug the damn light! Done!

[73 six twenty]

That's exactly how I feel about the check engine light too. The car runs great! It doesn't stumble, misfire, hesitate, or run rough. I've already changed the district cap,ignition rotor,spark plug wires,and installed platinum ngk spark plugs. I even removed the mass airflow meter,and cleaned it with the damn $7.00 air meter cleaner.Lol.

[Grey_Matter]

they can't/won't plug into an obd1 car, so for now just pull the bulb and smog it....but i bet the light is on because of a faulty o2 sensor and could feasibly make you fail the pipe test

[73 six twenty]

I just bought the car about a month ago,someone has replaced the oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, and muffler. I suspect the old cat broke apart and pieces of the brick panel became stuck in the old muffler. I know the car sat without a battery in it for a long time. I haven't driven it much because the dmv only gave me an operating permit to drive it until I get the smog done. I wonder if I need to drive it more so it can reset it's parameters?

[ggzilla]

Driving it more won't help -- in fact, driving it more caused the light to come on ! You have an intermittent problem.

 

I wouldn't disconnect the light, that's an offense. Just reset it before the test. It will probaly run fine during the test.

 

Later, if the problem gets worse, less intermittent, you'll be able to tell what it is. At this point even the Nissan dealer is unlikely to solve it (as the code is OK and problem is intermittent).

[73 six twenty]

Thanks for the advice ggzilla! I am going to do an oil change, then reset the light. Before taking the car to the smog test. Also thanks to everyone else who responded to my post.