Max03SE

My service manager called me today and told me that there is a program that updates the ECU for the "throttle by wire"for my 2k3.According to Nissan it eliminates throttle lag and increases the HP a little.I am going to the dealer monday to have the update done.He says it will take about two hours to complete.Not sure if this is covered for Nissans out of warranty because he made mention to me that"It is covered by your warranty".I will let all of you know how it went if you are interested.

Y2K2Driver

iTrader: (1)

Great news! I'm bringing in my car Saturday for the sunroof deflector and wind noise (which I sort of fixed myself), so maybe I can get them to do this as well. This applies to 2k2 as well, right?

Max03SE

I am pretty sure it does apply to 2k2's,but I will ask.He had to do some searching to find it.Nissan isn't voluntarily giving up the info so your dealer may not know about it.

SR20DEN

iTrader: (7)

Software update? Are they going to upgrade us from windows to doors?

Corelventura

iTrader: (9)

hey definitely keep us updated. i want to know too since i too have a 2k3. does it matter if it a 6 speed or auto transmission?

Max03SE

I am sure that is strictly ECU and "throttle by wire" targeted.Tranny shouldn't matter.

SR20DEN

iTrader: (7)

It does seem just a bit premature to have a software update for an '03 car. It's a federal law that the vehicle model year has to be out for a year before they are allowed to update software. Was the '03 already out in March of '02?? Im thinking not untill September.

MacAlert

iTrader: (1)

I think they started making 2003's around April, May. I got mine in August 2002 and it was manufactured 05/02.

kronnman

iTrader: (2)

I believe the 2K3's started to hit the lots early April 2002. I had a hard time locating a loaded 2K2 6 speed last March I was told that all the 2K2's were on the lots and that they were waiting on the 2K3's to come in.

tita6

YES!!! Please keep us updated. I have been hoping they would find a fix for this. I have an 03 as well and experience this hesitation. Let us know how the fix works. Also any specific info would be helpful so I can relay this my local dealer...what is the phone # for your dealer?

Max03SE

SR20DEN I was more or less referring to my car's year,not the fact that the update was for 2k3's only.Considering that the 2k2's are basically the same.I would say that the year the federal government requires has already passed,wouldn't you?

ajahearn

iTrader: (3)

What is the thought behind this restriction? Given the variability of software it seems like an oversight to not allow changes. Granted this could be what prevents the BSOD on cars. Just curious if you know.

remykins

Yes, please keep us posted. I am taking my car in next Saturday to get the wind deflector replaced and I would love to have this taken care of. If you could list the dealer as well so there is some sort of reference for us to use.

boo

Yes, definitely keep us updated. I noticed this on my
wife’s new 03. It was weird compared to my 97. It felt
like my 6spd was an auto because I would hit the gas
it would hesitate then kick up to a higher rpm then
take off!!


boo

saxdogg

OOhhhhhhh, please please please give us all the details when it;s over with. I hope your dealer is not blowing smoke...

Give us the reference numbers and any helpful info to nag our dealers with!!!

Good luck.

ARFF

Greek to the Max

iTrader: (2)

Please keep us posted.

clipse

iTrader: (5)

Like eveyone else. Keep us updated. As far as warranty,why wouldn't it be covered by factory warranty *shady*....

Chinkzilla

HP!?!

wild willy

iTrader: (10)

I bet if you called 100 dealers....99 of them would have no clue what you are talking about.

Blu

iTrader: (63)

I would go out on a limb and say 100 of them would have no clue

Quidproquo

I wish these dealers would communicate with each other...

I just called my Nissan dealer in Northern NJ (Warnock in Morristown). I explained about the "upgrade" to the ECU for the "throttle by wire" system, and they only mentioned that there is an "ignition system" upgrade available, but that they are only performing it on vehicles that "need" it. Not sure what she meant by needing it... Has anybody in NNJ been able to get a positive response from any dealer regarding this "update"?

BTW, I am not happy with the Warnock service department. Not the most "user friendly" folks. Treat all customers as if they know better than you. If anyone can recommend a more "user friendly" dealer, by all means speak up...

Y2K2Driver

iTrader: (1)

Seriously, never ever ever go to Warnock service. Back in the day before I got the hand me down 89 Maxima, my dad brought it in since the windshield wiper mechanism had broke due to use while stuck in ice. As always, my dad asked to have the old parts to see where it had failed. Soon after the fix, we noticed that the windshield wiper movement wasn't the same as before, almost as if the internal mechanism was hitting something causing it to slow down at one point in its travel and making rubbing noises. Well, looking at the old parts, it was clear that if put in backwards, would cause the problem. We also pulled it apart and confirmed this, but didn't fix it ourselves since my dad wanted them to fix it. Well, my dad brought it back there to fix and got the "well I've been doing this for x number of yrs and think I know more than you do" bs from the mechanic staight off the bat. We then talked to the manager and he gave us some excuse that since the windshield wasn't wet at the time we showed him, it was causing resistance to the blade, blah blah blah. Well, we used the windsheild washer to show that wasn't the case, and got more bs. In the end, they still refused to look at the problem, knowing that they must be wrong, and just refunded the service work. All they had to do was say, "well let me look at it" and then suck up their pride. Everyone makes mistakes and we understood that, but having an uncalled for attitude was certainly not necessary. In conclusion, I would never trust them with my car. BTW, they also f***ed up other stuff on the car that we didn't find out until later. However, their parts department is pretty good. Sorry for the long post, just giving you some heads up on where their concerns lie.

spta97

iTrader: (1)

...did it work? I'd love to get this done too. I didn't think I had a problem until I read on the .Org that this isn't normal. It would be so cool to get more HP!

booboo13

Software upgrading an ECU is slightly complicated and dangerous, you can make an ECU die if done wrong. This is why dealers will only try it on a car that is having problems. But if you really want it, just make sure they'll replace the ECU if they **** up. This will probably be hard if they're doing it for free. The other thing to make sure of is that their Consult unit has plenty of battery power. If it dies mid-upgrade your ECU is dead. I was reading a service bulletin about some ECU upgrades and this is the information it had in it. All dealers were given the hardware and software needed to perform this service free of charge, so if you mention this specifically they'll probably "remember or find" it. Hope this helps you throttle by wire folks.

Just remember, check batteries before doing it.

tmuscedere

Here we go with the Horsepower BS! If they claim that the ECU update will adjust the horsepower rating of our cars. It brings us back to square one with the class action suit against nissan. What everyone will have to do is get their cars dynoed again to see if the cars put out the horsepower that they are supposed to.

Shaydz

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone have a link to this TSB or the number?

I'd like to see if it falls under 2K2 warranty and what criteria do they determine if it "needs" it.

Matthew

Please keep us informed, and make sure you get assurances that they will be liable if they screw up!

dino1063

Any update yet? It would be nice to get a few more 'free' HP!

skandalouz

iTrader: (2)

yes i would like to know. and this throttle by wire thing that you guys are talking about.... yesterday i decided to floor it from a 5 mph roll...and after i crushed the gas... it seriously took like 2 seconds before the car even accelerated.... after those two seconds it accelerated REAL slow....until about 3000 RPMs when it finally started pulling.. this was the first time it had happened to me. is this the hesitation tlaked about in the throttle by wire complaints?

PeterUbers

$10.00 says this is a crock....

Lonz

The only thing I could find from the ASIST is service bulletin NTB03-022 dated March 15,2003 for 2002-2003 Maxima and Altima: Hesitation on acceleration with Manual Transmission

Applied vehicles: 2002-2003 Maxima only with manual tranny and 2002-2003 Altima only with vq35 and manual tranny

Concern is for momentary hesitation when accelerating between 2000-3000 rpm

Bulletin applies only if your Maxima ECM part number is 23710-5y702 ('02) or 23710-6y300 ('03) and the ECM ID code is 030101 (these #'s can only be obtained with the consult-II (Maybe OBD?))

Note that early production '02s with ECM part number 23710-5y701 and 23710-5y700 with an ECM ID of 030101 will also need to replace the MAF (part number 22680-am600 which is the '03 Max MAF)

Sorry for the hasty post... trying to get this info and cram lunch at the same time. There is nothing in the bulletin as to exactly what the new programming does or what gets changed but at least its something.

Knowledge is power!

--- For our Altima brethren the application is as follows:
2002 ECM part number 23710-8j160 and 2003 ECM part number 23710-9j082 with ECM ID code of 030103 for 3.5L manual trans only

I don't have the capability to scan and post it but if someone can do that I can fax a copy to them.

KTM

I've been dealing with this issue for a looooong time.
Nissan NA says a bulletin DID come out March 15 2003:
Bulletin # NTB03-022 Momentary hesitation upon acceleration, 2002-2003 Maxima and Altima.

Can someone post it?

SR20DEN

iTrader: (7)

OK you rock... we finally have a service writer here... and on our side.

maxcosity

just called the dealer.. my car's in the shop getting some special paint protection on it and they are going to scan my ECU and see if it applies to mine.. will let you all know..

FYI my 03 6-speed was made 12/02 just a few months ago..

Kevin

Matthew

Not to go but what do you mean by 'special paint protection???' Are you paying for it? Let us know...

2K2SE

So, no luck for the auto tranny folks with hesitation. Bummer. Thanks, Nissan.

MaximaMan77

Sweet. Your the man Lonz, thank you very much!!!

maxcosity

It's called "Touch of Class" and it's a dealer installed treatment.. It's included in the financing, and cost $300..

Here's the breakdown:

1. They take your paint, clean it the heck up.
2. Add a thick layer of teflon to it to protect it.
3. Add a thick layer of silicone to it to seal it in.

The paint is now guaranteed for 5 years.. If it gets swirl marks or sap or bird **** on it and the paint or coat gets ruined or faded, they will REPAINT the car for FREE - no, you cannot get a different color, they already told me that!! doh!! mmmm.. candy apple pearl metal flake..

On the inside, they treat the leather, vinyl, and carpet with something that is supposedly water-resistant. If it gets stained or the leather fades or cracks from wear, they will replace it for FREE.

Pretty cool deal for $300, eh?

Shaydz

iTrader: (2)

Trying to apply TSB to auto....

2k2SEmax

Quote:

I don't have the capability to scan and post it but if someone can do that I can fax a copy to them.

Check your PM inbox. I just sent you a fax #.