My DIY Car Repair = $590.70 Savings

I was driving around in my Nissan a few weeks ago and the "Check Engine" light came on. After I got home, I decided to do some research to try to find out what the problem was.

I found the VBX Maxima web site, which showed me how to read the error codes from my car's Engine Control Unit (ECU). According to the error codes, I had problems with an oxygen sensor and a knock sensor. I reset the ECU error codes, but the knock sensor code came back almost immediately.

I eventually called the local Nissan dealer (or "stealer") to ask what a knock sensor replacement would cost. I was shocked when the service advisor answered "...about six hundred dollars". In a daze, I hung up the phone and decided to do some more research on Nissan knock sensor replacement.

Next I found the motorvate web site, which showed how to replace the knock sensor on a Nissan Maxima. It seemed doable, so when I found a place where I could buy a knock sensor for $60, I decided to try to replace the part myself. While I was at it, I figured that I would also do an oil and filter change and rotate the tires.

Here is a cost comparison between my parts cost, and dealer knock sensor replacement quote and prior dealer maintenance costs:

Item	My Cost	Dealer Cost
Replace Knock Sensor	$60.00	$600.00
Oil & Filter Change	$16.77	$28.97
Tire Rotation	NONE	$38.50
Total	$76.77	$667.47

By doing this work myself, I kept an additional $590.70 in my pocket! I finished everything this weekend, and my ECU knock sensor error code has disappeared. Hopefully nothing else will go wrong before I have to take my car in for its state auto emissions test in a few months.