Malfunction Indicator Light

[Arthway]

When I purchased our Terrano, the Orange Malfunction Indicator Light was (and still is) permanently lit. The guy explained that the Air Conditioning system had been disconnected due to a faulty pump (I think by the owner before him). He told me he had had the matter checked at a garage and they confirmed that was the cause of the light being permanently lit.

He apparently was told that if any other issue arises that would cause the Malfunction Indicator Light to light up, the colour would change to RED - presumably warning us that there were now 2 or more issues.

Does anyone know if this is correct info?

 

[rayf3262]

He told me he had had the matter checked at a garage and they confirmed that was the cause of the light being permanently lit.

He apparently was told that if any other issue arises that would cause the Malfunction Indicator Light to light up, the colour would change to RED - presumably warning us that there were now 2 or more issues.

Does anyone know if this is correct info?

Yes, and it is NOT correct, absolute twaddle.
The MIL has 2 possible states, on or off, no VAG style colour changes are possible!
A possible scenario is water in the fuel filter, this WILL cause the MIl to stay on...

 

[Sweety]

Can't see the air con pump being disconnected triggering the MIL light & no the light won't change colour plus with it being on it's an MOT fail:doh have a look in the down load section where you will find how to read & clear fault codes & the only tool you need is a paper clip:lol read the code/s write it down & then clear the codes & see if the light comes back on. If it does re-read the code again which will point you in the direction of fixing the fault. From 2002/3 I think it was Nissan changed the plug to a 16 pin on & you have to bridge different contacts to the earlier ones with a 14 pin plug. It's dead easy to do & will only take you a few mins:thumbs

 

[solarman216]

Ray is correct, absolute rubbish, use the paper clip and check your codes this should tell you where the problem is, and it is nothing to do with AC not working, it is all in the downloads, Rick

 

[Arthway]

Ok Guys - thanks for the info. I got the download and will try and get to the bottom of this and report back. :thumbs

 

[jims-terrano]

Have you had any running issues?

What year is yours?

 

[Arthway]

Have you had any running issues?

What year is yours?

No running issues, but to be fair we've only had it a few days and haven't been far in it yet.

It's 1998.

 

[Banshee]

The paperclip is a great method but if you want something smarter and have a laptop handy why not look into getting a Consult II Cable to read the codes for you, read all about it here, dead simple and no faffing;

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21534&highlight=ecutalk

Welcome by the way :thumb2

 

[AlexD333]

Oh dear naughty chappy. Still bipung the paperclip in and give it a go.

If your not sure on how to read it take a video, it should give you slow flashes first then fast after that.

For example 3 slow flashes would indicate tens (thirty)

For example 4 fast flashes would indicate units (four)

You would have fault code 34 :thumb2

 

[panelbeater]

when water is in the fuel filter dosnt the light flash fast.

 

[rayf3262]

when water is in the fuel filter dosnt the light flash fast.

No, it is permanently on.
It is easy enough to eliminate by disconnecting the sensor wire at the fuel filter.

 

[Arthway]

Having trouble finding the connector - I've read all the info from the links suggested, googled and youtubed but still puzzled.

Is the connector supposed to be behind the fuses cover or just sort of dangling underneath? I'll have a more thorough look tomorrow, but any help would be appreciated.

 

[solarman216]

it is usually cable tied to the loom, I always cut the tie to give more room, Rick

 

[Sweety]

The plug on both of mine have been mounted in a metal bracket get a torch & look up under the dash above the pedals:thumb2

 

[AlexD333]

Sit in drivers seat, above right knee :thumb2

 

[Arthway]

Well, I eventually found the socket, which was not very accessible - grey, and really short wires. Hopeless with bifocals, but got there in the end! :lol

The light goes out now, once the engine starts. Why would this require what I presume amounts to a "reset"!?

 

[solarman216]

Well, I eventually found the socket, which was not very accessible - grey, and really short wires. Hopeless with bifocals, but got there in the end! :lol

The light goes out now, once the engine starts. Why would this require what I presume amounts to a "reset"!?

If anything flags up a problem then it stays in memory so that you can find it by checking the codes, once that is done and a reset is made then the system stays clear until the next fault, Rick

 

[Arthway]

If anything flags up a problem then it stays in memory so that you can find it by checking the codes, once that is done and a reset is made then the system stays clear until the next fault, Rick

I don't understand why the light was ON all the time. When I did the procedure it must have reset the system (I didn't get any error codes/flashing light situation)?

So, am I to assume that the previous owner must have rectified some fault but failed to reset the system?

Anyway, the light is OFF now - so that's good news when it's MOT time.

 

[solarman216]

I don't understand why the light was ON all the time. When I did the procedure it must have reset the system (I didn't get any error codes/flashing light situation)?

So, am I to assume that the previous owner must have rectified some fault but failed to reset the system?

Anyway, the light is OFF now - so that's good news when it's MOT time.

problem with the paper clip method is it is easy to hit the connection twice which wipes the codes immediately, that is why some of us have made up a little device that you plug in connected to a push button, push once to read the codes twice to erase, Rick

 

[Arthway]

problem with the paper clip method is it is easy to hit the connection twice which wipes the codes immediately, that is why some of us have made up a little device that you plug in connected to a push button, push once to read the codes twice to erase, Rick

Thanks for the suggestion - do you know where I can get a cheap 14 pin male connector to do this?

It's possible that I hit the connections twice, as it was a real struggle to see what I was doing. If there was a fault that was causing the light to come on *that hasn't actually been fixed*, should I expect the light to come back on again soon?