I have read in this forum about doing a self diagnosis if the Service
Engine Soon Light comes up.
Link:
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/ecu.html
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.a...8099593a5105f7

I have a 99 Maxima and the description found in Link 1 is slightly
different on my car.

My Car:
http://www.geocities.com/survesh2000/acopy.jpg
Author's Car: (see the 3rd image)
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/ecu.html

I am wondering if the IDLE SPEED in 99 Maxima is same as the Self
Diagnosis Mode Select. Can you guys confirm if Hole 1 is the one I
should be adjusting to perform the Self Diagnosis to determine the
codes? What is Hole 2?

Hole 1 is the correct hole to use in your 99 Maxima. Be careful - the
screws on the 99 ECUs are fragile. Use a small philips screwdriver.
Be sure to return the screw to its original position (fully
counter-clockwise) when you are done retrieving the stored codes.

Another, possibly easier option, is to drive to your local autozone-
and have them pull the ECU codes- they do it for free in most areas.

Cheers.

Happy New Year!

Nirav
96 Max GLE, 127k

Thanks Nirav. Will check with the local autozone here.

I did go to autozone and had code P0400-The PCM has determined that a
malfunction exists in the exhaust gas re-circulation flow. BTW, the
light started coming on the same day I had my oil + filter change.

The autozone guy told me that the problem could be at a couple of
places, like the EGR valve itself and something else related to the
sensor. Valve alone costs $290.

Can you suggest the sequence of troubleshooting steps I should ask the
mechanic to do as I don't want to get ripped off when I go to the
dealer or a mechanic.

(I read in another post the the Service Engine light came back 5 times
and the dealer charged him each time to get the codes after he tried
fixing the P0400 code)
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.a...dcad9a0b739bf3

How often should these valves be replaced or do you suggest replacing
the valve or sensor?

P0400 most commonly occurs on the 4th Gen Maximas due to clogged EGR
passages. That doesn't mean that it is definitely the problem in your
case, but it's highly likely.

The fix is to pull the EGR guide tube - that carries exhaust gases back
into the intake manifold, and clean it out and also clean out the port
on the rear of the intake manifold that the tube connects to.

Cheers,
Nirav
96 Max GLE, 128k