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2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Tulip4u
Novice
Jan 20, 2013, 6:43 PM
Post #1 of 11
(5740 views)
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2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Hello y'all- GiGi here (yes I'm a girl) and not to sure of what to do regarding getting help.... My car's "service engine soon" SES light came on around 4 months ago.... and was not to alarmed about it because I know that some cars have a "dummy" light ... but now the engine is running rough and shaking which makes my steering wheel shake as well... I want to go to "Auto Zone" or "Pep Boys" for some help but I am finding out that it's like $75 for diagnostics... i am on a budget and need to know if getting a diagnostic scan tool is better.... I've heard that it can be the catalytic converter of what I've heard on some car talk shows... 2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 engine size CVTC with 94,550 mileage.. please help GiGi...
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 20, 2013, 6:51 PM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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The "check engine" light is an indicator for a system that monitors many electronic functions in the system, also called the "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL). It can come on for any of hundreds of different causes from any of the systems that the computer monitors. Some are very important and can lead to further component or engine damage and some are emissions related not as serious but still a problem and need to be repaired.
Your first step is to have the computer scanned to retrieve the trouble codes that were set when the check engine light came on. Those codes will give you specific information about what the computer saw and will get you pointed in the right direction to find your problem. With a 1996 or newer and some 95 cars and you have an AutoZone or Advanced auto parts in your area, they will read them for free (except CA) Once you have these code numbers, we can be a lot more specific about what your problem may be.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 20, 2013, 7:19 PM
Post #3 of 11
(5700 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Please don't drive your car for 4 months with an SES on & not knowing what the code is anymore..........please.....
At a minimum get the code pulled an hit one of these forums as soon as it comes on......I won't go into all the damage that can be done over 4 months for some codes......
Just please don't do that any more.....
One side note.......If the car starts to overheat........don't continue to drive it......You can ruin you engine in 2 miles with an overheating engine....
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Tulip4u
Novice
Jan 20, 2013, 8:03 PM
Post #4 of 11
(5678 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Ok... now my heart sunk into my stomach.... i wont drive the car and get it over to Autozone tomorrow when I get off... thank you and hope you can help me once i get my code.. i just hope these guys don't take me for a fool just cause im a girl...
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Tulip4u
Novice
Jan 20, 2013, 8:04 PM
Post #5 of 11
(5674 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Thank you too Mr Hammer .. You are most helpful and appreciate everything....
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 20, 2013, 8:07 PM
Post #6 of 11
(5667 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Just don't let them sell you anything. they are not techs but they try to play one. They are parts salesman. Get the actual code number from them, not their interpretation of it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tulip4u
Novice
Jan 20, 2013, 8:13 PM
Post #7 of 11
(5662 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Got it!
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Tulip4u
Novice
Jan 21, 2013, 9:29 PM
Post #9 of 11
(5612 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Hello Mr Hammer or anyone out there that can help me out with this code that I got from Autozone. The print out says "OEM Number to Cross: P0420". So, the P0420 is the part Number. The Autozone guy printed out the ticket with further details and states OEM Brand:Nissan/Datsun and below it states "Definition - Catalyst system efficiency below threshold - bank 1 and Probable Cause - 1. Large vacuum leak 2. Fuel system fault 3. Ignition system fault 4. Failed Bank 1 catalytic converter
The guy said that it is the catalytic converter and gave me a price of $295.99 and part#54478.
Does this make sense of my SES light with the engine shake to fix? Should I go to another Autozone to get a second opinion?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2013, 4:20 AM
Post #10 of 11
(5593 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Yes, a new converter makes sense but buying it from them does not.
If you do need a new converter, it makes much more sense to go to an exhaust specialty shop and have them supply and install it. They can likely do it for less than the cost of the part elsewhere and you wouldn't want to try to change one anyway.
There is also a factory TSB on this code for that car
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 22, 2013, 5:52 AM
Post #11 of 11
(5584 views)
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Re: 2004 2.5 Nissan Altima Engine Shakes
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Before you go replacing the catalyst, you need to have your engine shaking problem resolved. If the shaking is being cause by a misfire, you'll kill your new catalyst. It is also possible that a misifire can cause the engine computer to set a bogus P0420 code.
You really need to have your vehicle checked out by a professional repair shop.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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