1998 Quest error codes

bigjohn1 · Dec 24th, 2005, 09:43 AM

Hello everyone and it looks as though you have a great forum here. This is my first post and I am hoping someone with experience on error codes can help me in correcting a problem with my 1998 Quest GXE. THe van has been
otherwise very reliable and trouble-free for 94,000 miles.

I live in a remote area (Guam USA) and as such, we have but one Nissan dealer who has been less than helpful with this particular problem. I don't have the option of driving to another Nissan dealer since I live on a small island. The engine has begun running somewhat rough at low speed and sometimes stalls at red lights and stop signs - it also seems to get very poor fuel economy. I brought the van to the dealer to do a complete tuneup and other required maintenance mainly because the "CHECK ENGINE" light recently came on and will not go off. The dealer said he hooked it up to the computer and everything checked out. When I asked why the "CHECK ENGINE" light was still on, he said he would not worry about it as it might just be a short. This sent a giant "red flag" up in my brain so I decided to take it to an independent ASE-certified master mechanic for a second opion - after all, it was still running rough and getting poor fuel economy.

He code scanned the vehicle and came up with the following fault codes:

P1448 - Powertrain malfunction; manufacturer-specific
P0440 - Evaporative emmission control system malfunction

I have had this particular mechanic do plenty of work for me over the years and he is both honest and does quality work. As he is using a generic code scanner, his equipment will not tell him precisely what component is bad. He stated that he would need the big expensive computer used by Nissan dealers to narrow my problem down to a specific component. Otherwise, he would need to begin replacing one component at a time and that would not be cost-efficient at all. He recommended I try and find out from a Nissan forum what these codes mean exactly and then order the required parts from the internet for him to replace once I get them in. He knows I don't want to spend thousands replacing parts on a 7-year old van and is trying to help me find the cheapest way to get this done. I have lost faith in my local dealer as there have been other quality control "issues" I have found during past repair work. Suffice it to say, I am on my own with this and am seeking some Nissan expertise to try and get my otherwise great van back to running good. Thank you in advance for help you may be able to give.

spat · Dec 24th, 2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjohn1

Hello everyone and it looks as though you have a great forum here. This is my first post and I am hoping someone with experience on error codes can help me in correcting a problem with my 1998 Quest GXE. THe van has been
otherwise very reliable and trouble-free for 94,000 miles.

I live in a remote area (Guam USA) and as such, we have but one Nissan dealer who has been less than helpful with this particular problem. I don't have the option of driving to another Nissan dealer since I live on a small island. The engine has begun running somewhat rough at low speed and sometimes stalls at red lights and stop signs - it also seems to get very poor fuel economy. I brought the van to the dealer to do a complete tuneup and other required maintenance mainly because the "CHECK ENGINE" light recently came on and will not go off. The dealer said he hooked it up to the computer and everything checked out. When I asked why the "CHECK ENGINE" light was still on, he said he would not worry about it as it might just be a short. This sent a giant "red flag" up in my brain so I decided to take it to an independent ASE-certified master mechanic for a second opion - after all, it was still running rough and getting poor fuel economy.

He code scanned the vehicle and came up with the following fault codes:

P1448 - Powertrain malfunction; manufacturer-specific
P0440 - Evaporative emmission control system malfunction

I have had this particular mechanic do plenty of work for me over the years and he is both honest and does quality work. As he is using a generic code scanner, his equipment will not tell him precisely what component is bad. He stated that he would need the big expensive computer used by Nissan dealers to narrow my problem down to a specific component. Otherwise, he would need to begin replacing one component at a time and that would not be cost-efficient at all. He recommended I try and find out from a Nissan forum what these codes mean exactly and then order the required parts from the internet for him to replace once I get them in. He knows I don't want to spend thousands replacing parts on a 7-year old van and is trying to help me find the cheapest way to get this done. I have lost faith in my local dealer as there have been other quality control "issues" I have found during past repair work. Suffice it to say, I am on my own with this and am seeking some Nissan expertise to try and get my otherwise great van back to running good. Thank you in advance for help you may be able to give.

The 1448 is for the EVAP vent controle valve. These often become clogged or siezed due to dirt because of their location. This also causes the 440 code. This should not realy have much if any effect on your drivability problem though it can cause a small efficiancy problem. I don't know your maint. history but start with the basics, then work towards components like IACV sticking or vacumm leaks, dirty injectors, stretched T-belt, etc...

bigjohn1 · Dec 25th, 2005, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spat

The 1448 is for the EVAP vent controle valve. These often become clogged or siezed due to dirt because of their location. This also causes the 440 code. This should not realy have much if any effect on your drivability problem though it can cause a small efficiancy problem. I don't know your maint. history but start with the basics, then work towards components like IACV sticking or vacumm leaks, dirty injectors, stretched T-belt, etc...

Thanks very much Spat....I am the third owner of this van and both past owners did a good job or documenting all maintenance and repair work that was done since new. Tune-ups, oil changes, and all the basic stuff was done at regular intervals but I see no evidence from the pile of 7 years worth of recepits I have to indicate any emmision system work was ever done. Also, no evidence to suggest the van was ever brought in for ANY error codes lighting up. Another small problem I have noticed (perhaps related to these codes or maybe not) is the engine will stumble at low RPM. Let me say this as clearly as possible:

Say the engine is totally warmed up and you are just sitting there idling. You quickly tap the gas pedal and of course the engine quickly races up the rpm band. It slightly "stumbles" for a micro-second through the idle-through 1,000 rpm range but is smooth and clean at any rpm higher than that. The spark plugs are three months old and changed by the dealer -- they were presumably gapped correctly by the dealer (I hope). At that time, they also did a complete injector flush - not just a can of cleaner through the throttle body but the complete flush. So....I have good plugs and clean injectors, but still have this low rpm stumble.

Do the error codes along with the symptoms I have just described still lead to the Evap system? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.