2000 Nissan Altima Engine light / thermostat

KSTORIE

MEMBER
2000 NISSAN ALTIMA

Engine Cooling problem
2000 Nissan Altima 4 cyl Automatic 125000 miles

My engine light has been coming on and going off for almost a year, but the car runs fine. Nissan said the code was for the thermostat or thermostat sensor. I replaced the thermostat, thermostat sensor and coolant sensor and the engine light is still on. Killing the battery did not turn the light off. The car still runs fine, no overheating, but now I can't get my inspection or tag renewed. Is there anyway to turn off the engine light so I can get my inspection?

Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

6 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi kstorie,

Thank you for the donation.

Autozone provides free scanning services. Get the CEL scanned and let me know the exact trouble code so I can understand the problem better.

Without knowing the trouble code, it is not possible advise on what needs to be done to rectify the problem.

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Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 11:46 AM

KSTORIE

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The scan code is P1126 which Nissan said was for the thermostat or thermostat sensor, which have both been replaced.

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Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 11:54 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Here are the diagnostic procedures. Go through them to see if you can come up with anything.

Btw did you recheck the trouble code to see if it is still the same code?

DTC P1126: THERMOSTAT FUNCTION

NOTE: Using the following diagnostic procedure assumes the presence of a current (hard) DTC or the ability to duplicate the setting of the DTC using DTC confirmation test(s), intermittent recreation procedures or a test drive under conditions stored in freeze frame data.

NOTE: For best results, perform test with ambient temperature at 14 °F (-10 ° C) or more and engine coolant temperature 14-140 °F (-10-60 °C).

Malfunction is detected when engine coolant temperature does not reach a specified temperature, even though engine has been running for a specified time. Possible causes are:

"� Stuck open thermostat.
"� Thermostat seal leaking.
"� Defective Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor.

To confirm presence of DTC, replace thermostat using an OEM thermostat. Turn ignition on. Select DATA MONITOR with scan tool and observe engine coolant temperature. Ensure engine coolant temperature is less than 140 °F (60 °C). Drive vehicle at 50-75 MPH for 10 minutes.

Procedure
DTC Confirmation Test

Remove ECT sensor. See Fig. 6 . Measure resistance between ECT sensor terminals, with sensor at specified temperatures. See ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR RESISTANCE table. If resistance is not as specified, replace ECT sensor and retest system. If resistance is as specified, test is complete.

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Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 12:57 PM

KSTORIE

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We have already replaced the thermostat, thermostat sensor and coolant sensor. I do not have any testing equipment and I do not want to return to Nissan. Can you just tell me how to turn off the engine light so I can get my car inspected and tag renewed. The car is running fine.

Thank you

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Monday, November 9th, 2009 AT 1:03 PM

KSTORIE

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I already took the car to AutoZone and asked them to clear the light. They said it was a $10,000 fine if they did. Thank you for your answer, but it did not help me. I'll be taking my car to another mechanic today.