Precaution For Engine Control System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Nissan Armada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Always use a 12 volt battery as power source.
Do not attempt to disconnect battery cables while engine is running.
Before connecting or disconnecting the ECM harness connector, turn ignition switch OFF and disconnect negative battery cable. Failure to do so may damage the ECM because battery voltage is applied to ECM even if ignition switch is turned OFF.
Before removing parts, turn ignition switch OFF and then disconnect negative battery cable.

Fig 1: Disconnecting Negative Battery Cable
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Do not disassemble ECM.
If a battery cable is disconnected, the memory will return to the ECM value.
The ECM will now start to self-control at its initial value. Engine operation can vary slightly when the terminal is disconnected. However, this is not an indication of a malfunction. Do not replace parts because of a slight variation.
If the battery is disconnected, the following emission-related diagnostic information will be lost within 24 hours.

Fig 2: Identifying Engine Control Module
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Diagnostic trouble codes
- 1st trip diagnostic trouble codes
- Freeze frame data
- 1st trip freeze frame data
- System readiness test (SRT) codes
- Test values
- < Flexible Fuel Vehicle >
  Presumed ethanol mixture ratio
When connecting ECM harness connector, fasten it securely with a lever as far as it will go as shown in the figure.

Fig 3: Fastening ECM Harness Connector Using Lever
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
When connecting or disconnecting pin connectors into or from ECM, take care not to damage pin terminals (bend or break).
Make sure that there are not any bends or breaks on ECM pin terminal, when connecting pin connectors.
Securely connect ECM harness connectors.
A poor connection can cause an extremely high (surge) voltage to develop in coil and condenser, thus resulting in damage to ICs.
Keep engine control system harness at least 10 cm (4 in) away from adjacent harness, to prevent engine control system malfunctions due to receiving external noise, degraded operation of ICs, etc.

Fig 4: Identifying Bends Or Breaks On ECM Pin Terminals
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Keep engine control system parts and harness dry.
Before replacing ECM, perform ECM Terminals and Reference Value inspection and make sure ECM functions properly. Refer to " ECM TERMINAL AND REFERENCE VALUE ".
Handle mass air flow sensor carefully to avoid damage.
Do not disassemble mass air flow sensor.
Do not clean mass air flow sensor with any type of detergent.
Do not disassemble electric throttle control actuator.
Even a slight leak in the air intake system can cause serious incidents.
Do not shock or jar the camshaft position sensor (PHASE), crankshaft position sensor (POS).

Fig 5: Precaution Before Replacing Transfer Control Unit
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
After performing each TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS, perform DTC Confirmation Procedure or Overall Function Check.
The DTC should not be displayed in the DTC Confirmation Procedure if the repair is completed. The Overall Function Check should be a good result if the repair is completed.

Fig 6: Identifying Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
When measuring ECM signals with a circuit tester, never allow the two tester probes to contact.
Accidental contact of probes will cause a short circuit and damage the ECM power transistor.
Do not use ECM ground terminals when measuring input/output voltage. Doing so may result in damage to the ECM's transistor. Use a ground other than ECM terminals, such as the ground.

Fig 7: Caution For Checking Input And Output Signals Of Control Unit
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
B1 indicates the bank 1, B2 indicates the bank 2 as shown in the figure.

Fig 8: Identifying Crankshaft Pulley, Cylinder Number And Bank Layouts
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Do not operate fuel pump when there is no fuel in lines.
Tighten fuel hose clamps to the specified torque.

Fig 9: Identifying Fuel Pump Module Components
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Do not depress accelerator pedal when starting.
Immediately after starting, do not rev up engine unnecessarily.
Do not rev up engine just prior to shutdown.

Fig 10: Caution For Depressing Accelerator Pedal (When Starting)
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
When installing C.B. ham radio or a mobile phone, be sure to observe the following as it may adversely affect electronic control systems depending on installation location.
- Keep the antenna as far as possible from the electronic control units.
- Keep the antenna feeder line more than 20 cm (8 in) away from the harness of electronic controls.
  Do not let them run parallel for a long distance.
- Adjust the antenna and feeder line so that the standing-wave radio can be kept smaller.
- Be sure to ground the radio to vehicle body.
< Flexible Fuel Vehicle >

Fig 11: Identifying C.B. Ham Radio
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

When replacing the ECM, there is a small possibility that engine does not start under cold weather. This is caused by the large difference between the actual and the presumed ethanol mixture ratio. In such a case, perform " ETHANOL MIXTURE RATIO ADAPTATION (FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLE) ".