Nissan Altima: 2003 Nissan Altima

"AWM" <net> wrote in message
news:talkaboutautos.com... 
lights to cut off. The fog lights come on when you cut on the headlights,
even in the 'Auto' mode. Is this normal? If not, how do you cut them off? 


The foglight switch is located on the same stalk as the headlight switch.
Its just a little inside of the outer ring which controls the headlights.
Its marked on/off. Turn it to off.

The foglights on my Altima are completely useless in any weather. They
illuminate the ground about 3 feet in front of the bumper only. Not good
unless you;re going less than 5mph. All they do is annoy other drivers by
increasing the the glare on the road.
 

Well, started my 2003 altima this morning and service engine light came on.
Had my wife drive the car immediately to the dealer and was informed my
engine was blown. NO OIL. I asked why an oil light did not come on or why
the service engine light did not come on and here is their answer. When
the service light comes on it's to late. Damage is already done to the
engine. That was their response. SO FOR ALL YOU 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA owners,
if that light comes on say goodbye to your engine. I would like to know if
the dealer is blowing smoke up my _ _ _ or if that is true?

I don't know a thing about a 2003 Altima (I have a 1996 Altima) but I do
know that if the oil is gone, the pressure switch in the system will close
and illuminate the light. If there is no oil in the system and the oil
light did not come on, the the switch is faulty and I'd start talking
about warrenty issues. I'd also do a visual check myself and see if there
is oil(wipe the dipstick on a rag to see if it is wet, as very clean or new
oil may not show up on a dipstick), buy a bottle of slick 50, do an engine
change and Substitute the Slick 50 for a normal quart of oil during the
change and have the dealer reset the Check Engine light. Drive the car
around and see if the "Engine Blown Code" (Is there an actual code for
blown engine?!? or was it for no oil?) If your engine was truly gone,
your wife would not have been able to make it to the dealer, or she would
have noticed some serious noises and vibrations on the way there. It's
possible that the error code/sensor/system is faulty and your engine is
actually fine. I'm guessing your dealer said something like: "Look, a
girl, lets see if I can get her to buy a new engine. You know how women
are..." I hate that. Pretty much why I go to Carmax and not a dealer.

I also like the look on their face when I let them know I'm an aircraft
mechanic after I let them give me a cock and bull story about how my
muffler bearing, fencer valve or flam shaft needs to be replaced. I hate
dealers and only deal with them when aftermarket parts aren't available.
I realize that the general public can be pretty ignorant about cars, but
that's no reason to take advantage of people. Oh, don't get me started.

There are a number of other things to try, but if the engine is running
smooth, it isn't 'blown'. Tell the dealer you need more info as to why
there is no oil in the system. Is there evidence of a leak? Is the oil
pump making rated pressure? Is there continuity between the points of the
pressure switch when the engine is off? You can also check this by turning
the key to run, but not start. The oil light/symbol should be illuminated.
Once the engine is started, the light will go out. Turn the car off and
then back to the run position (but don't start the car). The oil light
should come back on within 30 seconds.

Good luck and please post your results!