Hey guys, I just bought an 02 Xterra with 76000 on it, real clean no obvious mechanical issues. Couple things started happening a month in and me being paranoid from buying a used car wanted to run it past people with knowledge.

1. Whenever I accelerate and it hits the point where the transmission shifts, it sounds like the exhaust on the pasenger side rattles. it only happens at that exact point.

2. I left the fuel cap loose on time and the Service Engine Soon light came on, I waited a few days and its still on, Is there a way to manually check codes like other cars? I dont want to have to pay 50 bucks for them to check it out.

HELP!!!

The rattle is more than likely just a heat shield rubbing against your exhaust. Irritating and annoying but nothing serious.

The CEL you can have checked at AutoZone or similar auto parts stores. I believe they will run codes for you at no charge if I'm not mistaken.

I know the anxiety of a used car but I don't feel you have anything to worry about with either of these issues. Just some minor nuisances is all.

Welcome to CX! And we will do what we can to help.

Yep, Autozone and any competitors will check your codes for free. Just had them pull 11 codes on mine last week. Guy was real nice, even went and made some print outs for me describing each code.

Wow, thanks alot for all the help, I was 2 seconds from taking it to Nissan and having them pull the codes for me. Im just freaked out, 2 hrs after I bought it the ABS light came on, came to find out one of the g sensors was bad and they wanted me to replace it because of the deal I got! They ended up payin for it 1500 bucks later lol

Right on. Way to stick to your guns. There's enough experience and knowledge on this forum that whatever the problem may be, more than likely somebody here has had the same one and knows how to fix it.

When you get the codes/problems diagnosed, let us know and we might be able to tell you how to fix it yourself and save you some cash.

Cash that you can use for mods!!! hahaha

HA someone else had to replace the controller... lol when i bought mine it had the abs light on and it ended up costing them right at 1500 also to replace.....

as to the code all it needs is for them to clear it..... technically auto zone cant clear a code but you might find a guy/girl that is cool and they will do it anyways... good luck

I was able to pull my battery cables off, and held them together for about 30 seconds. Cleared my codes, and the light went off. For about the last week or so....

Held them together? I disconnected the negative cable for about 5 minutes, it reset the radio but the light still stayed on. I had called the Nissan dealer and they said its usually based on key turns when it comes to the fuel cap being left loose. I dont know, Im gonna go to Autozone tomorrow and have them check it out. THey dont do it for free, I have to pay them the 160 and they give the money back when Im done using it.

Man I took my X 4 wheelin in Tahoe 2 weekends ago Im so glad I bought the 4x4....

you only have to pay if you take it home.... tell them to walk outside and hook it up its free... i used to do it all the time

That $160 is the deposit for when you rent the tool and take it home. If you have them do it there, they should do it for free.

And yeah, hold the battery cables together. It neutralizes + and - so to speak. Don't worry, you can't fry anything if the battery is disconnected. Unless you've got some fancy stereo with a big cap or something.

like mine LOL i have a nice size cap for my subs.. LOL

Yep, you may spark a bit if you go touching your wires together. Shouldn't hurt anything in the end though, just a nice quick uncontrolled cap discharge. I don't think I got one bit of sparkage when I did mine though. It's not as scary as it sounds to touch your battery cables together.