demike

Hi, everyone!

I'm new here and need some help. I have a 2001 Sentra GXE that has always been a great little car, but it's having some issues.

First is the check engine light. It's been on for quite a while. I got it checked and was told it was the O2 sensors, but I was short on cash (and am not a mechanic, so I can't do it myself). Finally got them replaced...and then the CEL came on again about 5 miles later. Going to get that checked again soon--and I know there's no way you could tell me what the deal is with that without more information, but I thought it might be relevant for the next part.

When I first start my car, it shudders and seems about to die when I shift into drive. If I wait it out (i.e., don't press on the accelerator or anything), it will literally kick into gear, spring forward and I'll have no more trouble with it. It seems to help if I let the car idle a bit after starting before attempting to drive it, but the time I need to let it idle is getting longer and longer. I don't know if this could be a transmission problem, some sort of flow (air, gas, whatever) issue, or something else entirely.

I've done basic routine maintenance on the car (e.g., oil & air filter changes, belts as necessary, etc.), but no major services since I got ripped off by my local Nissan dealer (charged me $800 for a 30k service, supposedly changing all fluids, etc...and then the next time I took it in, they recommended the service again because they said the fluids had never been changed! Grr...) I've also never changed the fuel filter (well, I don't remember if they *supposedly* changed it in the 30K service, but I know I haven't changed it since then). I generally use Exxon gas (they're cheapest and closest) and my car isn't driven very much at all--it had just under 16K miles when I got it in 3/02 and it now has just under 97K.

I do have a mechanic I can trust now, but since the CEL came on right after I left his shop, I'd like to have a better idea of what the problem could be so I don't have to keep relying on blind faith...so any possible solutions you could offer would be muchly appreciated!!

Thank you

NALtech

When you went back to the dealer and they recommended another 30K you should have b*tched about it and you probably would have gotten it for free/like you should have the first time. Not only would you have actually gotten your car serviced you would have also gotten the slimeball that done your 30K fired as well. Sounds like a win win situation for you and the dealer.

Since your transmission fluid has never been changed, it wouldn't hurt to start there or at the current SES light. With your problem is it only when shifting into gear, or is it anytime when you hit the gas on a cold start?

Faja

Check this thread out and see if it might apply to you: read the whole thing

04 Sentra 1.8S hard to start.. Would someone Help? - Nissanhelp.com

demike

I did go back and complain and they SAID they did the work...I just don't trust them.

As for the problem, it's only when shifting into Drive--I can go into Reverse fine.

Oh, and I found out what the trouble codes are: P0171 & P0174, both of which seem to be related to the oxygen sensors.

Thanks!!

ArtNismo

p0171-rightbank fuel system lean; p0174-left bank fuel system lean

It might be O2 sensor and it might not.
It might be vacuum leak.
Check all your intake hoses, vacuum hose. Check for disconnected hose, crack.