$140 labor charge to reprogram ECU on P0420 Code?

You might think about buying a code reader as it also can clear the problem code turning off the light. This is really all your Nissan service Dept. people did and charged you the $140. It's an Nissan auto computer ripoff as with all the Auto companies. This is just an example

ronm

A scan tool would enable anyone to pull the code and clear the code, but the work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU. Unless you have the Nissan Scan tool you cannot reprogram (plus having the latest firmware) the ECU.

ECU updates as far as I know is covered under the emission warranty which I think is 8 yr or 80K. Besides that there is a TSB for the P0420 code.

Check out: maxima.org go to the 5th gen forum and on top you will see a sticky with TSB, spend some time collecting them (printing) and keep for future problems.

Neil

r> Steel Cutlass wrote:

>>

He shouldnt have and should contact corporate nissan and create a stink .. but first .. locate the TSB that relates to the P0420 plus the fact that the ECU changes is part of the emission warranty. Not many folks know this and thus the stealerships take advantage of this and rake in the extra money.

neil

r> Why should the owner be stuck with paying for the software upgrade?

>>

I just called my local Nissan dealership. They stated that the ECU re-programming I had done for $140 was NOT covered by the 8yr/80K emission warranty. He also said he was aware of the technical service bulletin regarding such a repair. He implied that there was a Nissan bulletin stating that this reprogramming would not be covered under the emissions warranty.

Am I just flat out of luck?

work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU. Unless

firmware) the ECU.

think is 8 yr or 80K. Besides that there is a TSB for the P0420

with TSB, spend some time collecting them (printing) and keep

>

Go online at

and post a statment about Nissan and your dealer. ronm

work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU. Unless

firmware) the ECU.

think is 8 yr or 80K. Besides that there is a TSB for the P0420

with TSB, spend some time collecting them (printing) and keep

The fact that there is a TSB does not mean getting the work done will be free. Only repairs covered by a warranty are not subject to charges. There is a TSB I recently experienced about the rotors warping, and if you're not under warranty, you're better off getting it done somewhere other than the dealer, or replacing the rotors altogether. I've called several dealers and Nissan, and there seems to be no consensus as to TSB work being done free. I have found dealers who charge and dealers who don't. Corporate said TSBs were information releases only and did not constitute a recall issue (which would be free). I would do some calling around next time something goes wrong, and see if you can find a more customer service oriented dealer. They're hard to find, but they are out there....

work did and noted by the dealer was to reprogram the ECU. Unless

firmware) the ECU.

think is 8 yr or 80K. Besides that there is a TSB for the P0420

sticky with TSB, spend some time collecting them (printing) and keep

> >

">

No, dont get a code reader. For 20$ get the HAynes manual. It describes how to get all the codes with a simple screwdriver, along with all the other maintenance procedures on your Max.

The screw driver technique is only good for the 4th gen. and below max not the

5th and 6th.

Neil

Daniel wrote:

Great News! A full refund of my $140 is coming!

I called Nissan USA Consumer Affairs at 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261) and described my repair to them. They said that this repair should indeed have been covered under my "8 yr or 80K" warranty. They called my local dealer almost immediately and told them to refund my money. Nissan Consumer Affairs then called me back and told me to expect a call from the dealership. I waited a couple of hours and just called the dealership back myself. They said, yes, they did make a mistake. This particular repair is covered under the emissions warranty. They said they will have a refund check issued in a couple of weeks. They stated that they were just unaware that this ECU reprogramming should have been covered under warranty.

Thank you NeilP, ronm, and MilesTes for your input. You saved me $140 that was incorrectly charged to me by my local Nissan dealer.

Note: The Nissan Consumer Affairs people were extremely helpful and gracious! I was very, very impressed.

I am very happy Nissan took this needed action. Your dealer needs to be informed that they should not try to gouge people who need help and trust in them. ronm

goood .... glad to know you got your $ back, I am guessing most dealers try to get away with it and most customers are not informed ... its a shame ....

if you look up in your warranty book, you will see that the emission warranty is 8yr/80K and the ECU is covered by this, which is an expensive item. Any upgrades in firmware is a warranty service and not a maintenance service. The engine and tranny is covered by 6yr/60K, with that, you take the

900 to 1200 most dealers want for extended warranty and place in a CD, if you need for anything within that time the 900-1200 will cover you.

like i mentioned before, read up maxima.org and print out all the TSB regarding your car and be informed when a problem come up and know how much you are covered before stepping foot in a dealership.

good luck to ya and beers all around? :)

neil p

Steel Cutlass wrote:

Help! How did you get NISSAN to back you with the dealer???? I'm having EXACTLY the same problem right now, and NISSAN is saying the Emissions Control Warranty DOES NOT apply!!!

Any chance you could send me (or post) your File Case Number? Or the person you spoke with? (Thanks in Advance!)

Help! How did you get NISSAN to back you with the dealer???? I'm having EXACTLY the same problem right now, and NISSAN is saying the Emissions Control Warranty DOES NOT apply!!!

Any chance you could send me (or post) your File Case Number? Or the person you spoke with? (Thanks in Advance!)

Re: $140 labor charge to reprogram ECU on P0420 Code?

ECU Reprogram? Which vehicle youre talkin about? Nissan Field Service Manuals are totally absent on this issue - how the techs then are supposed to 'reprogram' ECU ?? Find the non-answers via top left 'Favorite Links', clic on link below.

However, on later maxima models ECU has aself learn protocol, seek out. The charge i$$ue is total balooney, as no reprogram exists ... or if does, pls tell your:

- current HW revision,

- SW revison fitting current firmware AND sw,

- what is the upgrade(s) that will patch your ECU

- what errors this upgrade addresses

- where is the lists and sources for these upgrades

- the whole 'Nissan' reprogram program: what is it, who oversees what where...

- how, what and why is done

Luckily bill gates has not yet total ctrl on Nissan's. If it was so, I'd already have multiple instances where a virus from Ford had jumped on my ECU, I'f been franctically trying to connect Microsoft support center for new sw-patch update to get ECU runnin just to go home... and would possibly have received similar answer as our Net-Software Manager got: "sorry, we support only games" (authentic MS-answer for acute corporate network problem).

There is a technical service bulletin out on that problem - I brought a copy of it to my dealer and gave it to the service writer. I also had a code reader and told them that it was a 0420 failure. I think i got the copy off a link on maxima.org

They fixed it free, and commented that I should be a Nisan Tech,,LOL

Only applies to california emission 2000 v6, and only if you are still under the emmision warantee - which I think is 60,000 miles?

That code reader was the best money I ever spent,,,,never go into a dealer without knowing first why that light is on....

"MikeM2006" wrote:

There is a technical service bulletin out on that problem ... What is the number for this TSB?

which code reader ?

mine is called a car.tool u10 Tech ODBII

got it on E bay for 21 dollars, but both checker and autozone carry the identical item.

"Bob" wrote: