Check engine light flashing, car shaking and smells like gas

code p 0171 refers to system too lean bank 1===causes ---intake /exhaust leak---AIR system---MAF/VAF sensor/s---fuel pressure/ pump---injector/s---heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) the one in the exhaust manifold for bank 1 nearest the firewall

As of 1996,all cars sold in the US were required to have an OBD-II computer interface port.
You may want to go to Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, or Pep Boys, and get a free read
of the code(s) that you computer may be posting to help with your diagnosis.

The code coming from your vehicle's computer may be one or more of:

P0130 02 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank I Sensor 1)
P0131 02 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank I Sensor I)
P0132 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank I Sensor 1)
P0133 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P0134 02 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank I Sensor 1)
P0135 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P0136 02 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank I Sensor 2)
P0137 02 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank I Sensor 2)
P0138 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank I Sensor 2)
P0139 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P0140 02 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P0141 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2)
P0142 02 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank I Sensor 3)
P0143 02 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank I Sensor 3)
P0144 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank I Sensor 3)
P0145 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 3)
P0146 02 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank I Sensor 3)
P0147 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank I Sensor 3)
P0150 02 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor I)
P0151 02 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor I)
P0152 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
P0153 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
P0154 02 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
P0155 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
P0156 02 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0157 02 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0158 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0159 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0160 02 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0161 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 2)
P0162 02 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 3)
P0163 02 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 3)
P0164 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 3)
P0165 02 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2 Sensor 3)
P0166 02 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 2 Sensor 3)
P0167 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 3)

Note: "Bank 1" is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. "Bank 2" is the other side.

P0300 - Random/Multiple Cylinder misfire detected
P0301 - Cylinder 1 misfire detected
P0302 - Cylinder 2 misfire detected
P0303 - Cylinder 3 misfire detected
P0304 - Cylinder 4 misfire detected
P0305 - Cylinder 5 misfire detected
P0306 - Cylinder 6 misfire detected
P0307 - Cylinder 7 misfire detected
P0308 - Cylinder 8 misfire detected
P0313 - Misfire detected with low fuel

Maximas with the VE30DE and VQ30DE engines use a distributorless ignition system that is controlled by the Engine Control Module (ECM). The ECM receives a signal from the crankshaft sensor (the CPS - Crankshaft Position Sensor), and processes the signal based on inputs
from other various engine sensors, including the Oxygen sensor.
(this is the role of the O2 sensor in ECM operation).
Then the ECM sends signals to each of the individual coils in the proper firing order.
This system is more efficient than a distributor, and has fewer moving parts. The high voltage coils are directly attached to each spark plug, allowing a higher energy spark within the cylinder. A high energy spark means a faster, more thorough burning of the air/fuel mixture, which produces more power and lower emissions.


SECONDARY SPARK TEST - works for all cars, including Maxima.


1. Remove the spark plug.

2. Install the spark plug to the ignition coil/coil pack, then attach the coil wiring.

3. Ground the plug at a good ground location on the engine.

4. Crank the engine and check for spark.

5. If spark occurs, the ignition system is functioning properly.

6. If no spark exists, test the ignition coil/coil pack, power transistor and related wiring.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEI Ignition Spark test - works for all cars, including Maxima.

The next level test you may want to try is a HEI (high energy ignition) spark tester kit. Cost is
about $30 at most auto parts stores. Harbor Freight Tools sells a chinese equivalent for about $16.
Place the spark tester on each of the spark plugs, and watch as the little light in the tester will
light up each time the spark plug is fired by the computer. You can actually see weak or
intermittent sparking as the motor runs - you can tell by the relative strength of the light as
you compare the intensity and duration of the light across all 6 cylinders.

If your problem were the alternator (or its built-in voltage regulator), your battery would not be
getting a proper charge, and you
wouldn't be able to start the car after a drive, since the battery would have been drained during the
drive - normally, the alternator will both charge the battery and run all electrical
features of the car during a drive.

To test your alternator, place your DMM (digital multimeter) across the battery terminals while the
car is running - it should read 13.5VDC to 14.5VDC. With the car off, you can test your battery
voltage with the same DMM - it should read 12.65 VDC (for a fully charged battery).

Alternatively, you can take your car to Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, or Pep Boys, and they'll
attach their "charging system tester" to your car and give your car a nice test for free.
I do this with my customers' cars just to get that nifty printout of the problem. Its nice
to show a vehicle owner somethng in black & white when I'm recommending a new charging
or ignition system component (some of which can be a bit pricey).

p0136 02 sensor malfunction is (bank 1 sensor 2)-- replace 2nd 02 sensor thats in exhaust system. If it is a four cyclinder, then there is only one bank. if its a six then bank 1 is on the side of # 1 cylinder. bank 1 sensor 2 is after convertor. have a good day !

Skolruby, There are four different codes for bank1 sensor3 as i think you may have written it backwards. It goes as follows, code po143 ho2s circuit low voltage bank 1 sensor 3 po144 ho2s high voltage bank1 sensor 3 po146 ho2s circuit insufficient activity bank 1 sensor 3 po147 ho2s heater performance bank 1 sensor 3. If you are getting code 44 lean exhaust. or 45 rich exhaust, It will show up on an emmisions test witthout the check engine light on and fail. If you get code 45 you might have a csefi fuel meter leak, A common problem with this engine. It is hard to detect unless you dissesemble it and see raw gas by the plastic injector tubes. I have the same year and model jimmy. It took days on a diagnostic machine to shake it out, What a pain. good luck.

time to get the engine properly scanned, real time not code scanner, then you will have the readings from sensore and actuators, diagnose from there

p0140 is 02 sensor ckt no activity ( bank 1 sensor 2). bank 1 sensor 2 is in back of convertor, it will need replaced it is sending wrong info to pcm.

P1133 is a slow 02 sensor or a shorted to ground at the PCM to 02 sensor signal. If the 02 sensor does not cycle fast enought it is called a lazy 02 sensor, the only way to test for this is with a digital volt meter or a scanner. if it will not pulse fast enough it will throw the code so Replace the 02 senor on the driver side bank. Bank one. then clear the codes. The code is thrown do to seveal reasons the 02 sensor could be dirty or it just could be worn out, you could pull it and clean it and try it again or just replace it and be done with it. The cost of a heated 02 sensor is $50.00 at a auto parts store or the dealer might charge a little higher but the cost in savings of fuel is well worth it.

P1132 is front 02 bank 1 and P1152 is front 02 bank 2
This codes indicate a rich condition. I would check for a dirty air filter or a dirty MAF sensor.

The po136 code is a bad 02 sensor, on cylinder bank #1
sensor #2, which is the downstream one. needs new one.

There are fuses for oxygen sensor heaters. Check for 12 volts to the sensor with key on.