NISSAN ALTIMA 2002 L31 / 3.G Repair Manual

The malfunction indicator lamp may stop
blinking and come on steady. Have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your ve-
hicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Traction control off indicator
light
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the light will illuminate. The light
will turn off after about 2 seconds if the
traction control system (TCS) is operational.
If the light stays on or comes on when you
are driving, it may indicate the traction con-
trol system is not functioning properly. Have
the system checked by your NISSAN
dealer.The light comes on when the traction control
off switch is pushed to OFF. This indicates
the traction control system is not operating.
Push the traction control off switch again or
restart the engine and the system will oper-
ate normally. See ªTraction controlº in the
ª5. Starting and drivingº section.
Slip indicator light
This indicator will blink when the traction
control system is limiting wheelspin. Slip-
pery road conditions may exist if the slip
indicator blinks on. If this happens, adjust
your driving accordingly.
The slip indicator light also comes on when
you turn the ignition key to ON. The light will
turn off after about 2 seconds if the system
is operational. If the light does not come on
or go off, have the traction control system
checked by your NISSAN dealer. The sys-
tem operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the
transmission only as high as the indicated
shift lever position.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it makes a high pitched scraping
sound when the vehicle is in motion,
whether or not the brake pedal is depressed.
Have the brakes checked as soon as pos-
sible if the warning sound is heard.
Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver's door is
opened while the key is left in the ignition
switch. Remove the key and take it with you
when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
With the ignition switch in the OFF position,
a chime sounds when the driver's door is
opened with the headlight switch on.
Turn the headlight switch OFF when leaving
the vehicle.
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Your vehicle has two types of security sys-
tems:
cNissan Vehicle Immobilizer System-
NVIS
cVehicle security system (if so equipped)
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM (NVIS)
The Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
(NVIS) will not allow the engine to start
without the use of a registered NVIS key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered
NVIS key (for example, when interference is
caused by another NVIS key, an automated
toll road device or automated payment device
on the key ring), restart the engine using the
following procedures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON posi-
tion for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or
LOCK position, and wait approximately 5
seconds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the de-
vice (which may have caused the inter-
ference) separate from the registered
NVIS key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, Nissan
recommends placing the registered NVIS
key on a separate key ring to avoid interfer-
ence from other devices.Statement related to section 15 of FCC
rules for Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer
System (CONT ASSY - IMMOBILIZER,
ANT ASSY - IMMOBILIZER)
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions;
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, includ-
ing interference that may cause undes-
ired operation of the device.
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EX-
PRESSLY APPROVED BY THE MANU-
FACTURER FOR COMPLIANCE COULD
VOID THE USER'S AUTHORITY TO OP-
ERATE THE EQUIPMENT.IC0005
SECURITY SYSTEMS
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Security indicator light (Nissan Ve-
hicle Immobilizer System)
The security indicator light blinks every 3
seconds whenever the ignition switch is in
the LOCK, OFF or ACC position. This func-
tion indicates the Nissan Vehicle Immobi-
lizer System (NVIS) is operational.
If the NVIS is malfunctioning, the light will
remain on while the ignition key is in the ON
position.
If the light still remains on and/or the
engine will not start, see your Nissan
dealer for NVIS service as soon as pos-sible. Please bring all NVIS keys that you
have when visiting your NISSAN dealer
for service.
VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
The vehicle security system provides visual
and audio alarm signals if parts of the
vehicle are disturbed.
Security indicator light (Vehicle se-
curity system)
The security indicator light shows the status
of the vehicle security system.
The light operates whenever the ignition
switch is in the LOCK, OFF, or ACC posi-
tion.
The vehicle security system has four
phases. For each phase the operation of the
security indicator light is different.
LIC0167LIC0167
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How to arm the vehicle security
system
1. Close all windows.(The system can be
armed even if the windows are open).
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Close the hood, trunk lid and all doors.
Lock all doors. The doors can be locked
with the key, power door lock switch or
with the keyfob.
Keyfob operation:
cPush the
button on the keyfob. All
doors lock. The hazard lights flash
twice and the horn beeps once to
indicate all doors are locked.
cWhen the
button is pushed with all
doors locked, the hazard lights flash
twice and the horn beeps once as a
reminder that the doors are already
locked.
The horn may or may not beep once.
Refer to ``Silencing the horn beep fea-
ture'' later in this section for details.
4.
Confirm that the SECURITY indicator light
comes on. The SECURITY light stays on
for about 30 seconds. The vehicle security
system is now pre-armed. After about 30seconds the vehicle security system auto-
matically shifts into the armed phase. The
SECURITY light begins to flash once ev-
ery three seconds. If, during the 30-
second pre-arm time period, the door is
unlocked by the key or the keyfob, or the
ignition key is turned to ACC or ON, the
system will not arm.
cIf the key is turned slowly when lock-
ing the door, the system may not arm.
Furthermore, if the key is turned ex-
cessively to the unlock position, the
system may be disarmed when the key
is removed. If the indicator light fails to
glow for 30 seconds, unlock the door
once and lock it again.
cEven when the driver and/or passen-
gers are in the vehicle, the system will
arm with all doors, hood and trunk lid
closed and locked with the ignition
key in the OFF position.
Vehicle security system activation
The vehicle security system will give the
following alarm:
cThe headlights blink and the horn sounds
intermittently.
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cThe alarm automatically turns off after
approximately 1 minute. However, the
alarm reactivates if the vehicle is tam-
pered with again. The alarm can be shut
off by unlocking a door or trunk lid with
the key, or by pressing the
button on
the keyfob.
The alarm is activated by:
copening the door or trunk lid without
using the key or keyfob (even if the door
is unlocked by releasing the door inside
lock switch) or opening the trunk lid by
operating the opener lever.
copening the hood.
How to stop an activated alarm
The alarm stops only by unlocking a door or
the trunk lid with the key, or by pressing
the
button on the keyfob.
Silencing the horn beep feature
If desired, the horn beep feature can be
deactivated using the keyfob. The instruc-
tions are on the back of the keyfob.
To deactivate:Press and hold the
and
buttonsfor at least two seconds.
The hazard lights will flash three times to
confirm that the horn beep feature has been
deactivated.
To activate:Press and hold the
and
buttonsfor at least two seconds once
more.The hazard lights will flash once and the
horn will sound once to confirm that the horn
beep feature has been reactivated.
Deactivating the horn feature does not si-
lence the horn if the alarm is triggered.
If the system does not operate as de-
scribed above, have it checked by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
LIC0168
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SWITCH OPERATION
Push the lever down to operate the wind-
shield wipers. Pull the lever toward you to
operate the washer.
The intermittent operation speed is as fol-
lows:
cWhen the vehicle speed is continuously
low, so is the intermittent operation
speed.
cWhen the vehicle speed is continuously
high, so is the intermittent operation
speed.
LO: Continuous low speed operationHI: Continuous high speed operation
The wipers automatically cycle twice when
the washer is activated.
CAUTION
cDo not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
cDo not operate the washer if the
reservoir tank is empty.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer
solution may freeze on the windshield
and obscure your vision which may
lead to an accident. Warm the wind-
shield with the defroster before you
wash the windshield.To defog the rear window glass, start the
engine and push the rear window defogger
switch on. The rear window defogger indi-
cator light on the switch comes on. Push the
switch again to turn the defogger off.
The rear window defogger switch automati-
cally turns off after approximately 15 minutes.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the
window, be careful not to scratch or
damage the rear window defogger.
WIC0183LIC0170
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCHREAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-17
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NOTE: The top few rows of wires on the rear
window are not part of the rear window
defogging system. These wires make up the
antenna for the audio system.XENON HEADLIGHTS
WARNING
HIGH VOLTAGE
cWhen xenon headlights are on, they
produce a high voltage. To prevent
an electric shock, never attempt to
modify or disassemble. Always have
your xenon headlights replaced at
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
cXenon headlights provide consider-
ably more light than conventional
headlights. If they are not correctly
aimed, they might temporarily blind
an oncoming driver or the driver
ahead of you and cause a serious
accident. If headlights are not aimed
correctly, immediately take your ve-
hicle to an authorized NISSAN dealer
and have the headlights adjusted
correctly.When the xenon headlight is initially turned
on, its brightness or color varies slightly.
However, the color and brightness will soon
stabilize.
cThe life of xenon headlights will be
shortened by frequent on-off opera-
tion. It is generally desirable not to
turn off the headlights for short inter-
vals, (for example, when the vehicle
stops at a traffic signal). Even when
the daytime running lights are active
(Canada only), the xenon headlights
do not turn on. This way the life of the
xenon headlights is not reduced.
cIf the xenon headlight bulb is close to
burning out, the brightness will dras-
tically decrease, the light will start
blinking, or the color of the light will
become reddish. If one or more of the
above signs appear, contact a
NISSAN dealer.
HEADLIGHT AND TURN
SIGNAL SWITCH
2-18Instruments and controls
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HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Lighting
Turn the switch to theposition: The
parking, rear combination, side marker, li-
cense plate and instrument panel lights
come on.
Turn the switch to the
position:
The headlights come on and all the other
lights remain on.
To select the high beam function, push the
lever forward. The high beam lights come
on and the indicator light illuminates. Pull it
back to select the low beam.
WIC0184
Instruments and controls2-19
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Instrument brightness control
The instrument cluster illuminates when the
ignition switch is in ON position.
The instrument brightness control operates
when the light switch is in the AUTO,
orposition.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of
instrument panel lights when driving at night.
The instrument brightness control will not
adjust the brightness when the headlights or
parking lights are off.
Passing signal
Pulling and releasing the lever flashes the
headlight high beams on and off.
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a
reduced intensity when the engine is started
with the parking brake released. The day-
time running lights operate with the head-
light switch in the OFF position or in the
position. Turn the headlight switch to
theposition for full illumination when
driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the
engine is started, the daytime running lights
do not illuminate. The daytime running lights
illuminate once the parking brake is re-
leased. The daytime running lights will re-
main on until the ignition switch is turned off.
WARNING
When the daytime running light system
is active, tail lights on your vehicle are
not on. It is necessary at dusk to turn
on your headlights. Failure to do so
could cause an accident injuring your-
self and others.
AUTOLAMP SYSTEM
(if so equipped)
The autolamp system allows the headlights
to be set so they turn on and off automati-
cally. The autolamp system can turn on the
headlights automatically when it is dark,
turn off the headlights when it is light, and
keep the headlights on for up to 45 seconds
after you turn the key to OFF and all doors
are closed.
If the ignition switch is turned OFF and one
of the doors is opened, the headlights re-
main ON for five minutes.
WIC0185LIC0135
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To set the autolamp system:
1. Make sure the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position.
2. Turn the ignition key to ON.
3. The autolamp system automatically turns
the headlights on and off.
To turn the autolamp system off, turn the
switch to the OFF,
,orposition.
Be sure you do not put anything on top
of the autolamp sensor located in the top
driver side of the instrument panel. The
autolamp sensor controls the autolamp;
if it is covered, the autolamp sensor
reacts as if it is dark out and the head-
lights will illuminate. If this occurs while
parked with the engine off and the key in
the ON position, your vehicle's battery
could become discharged.
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
Turn signal
Move the lever up or down to signal the
turning direction. When the turn is com-
pleted, the turn signals cancel automati-
cally.
Lane change signal
To signal a lane change, move the lever up
or down to the point where the indicator light
begins to flash, but the lever does not latch.
Normal operation of the fog lights in the
ON
position:
Headlight switch in the AUTO position;
daytime operation
cFog lights, marker and taillights come
ON.
cHeadlights do not come ON.
cDash readouts dim unless the dimmer
switch is on full bright.
cIf the ignition switch is in the OFF position
with the fog lights turned ON, a warning
chime will sound indicating the fog lights
LIC0173
FOG LIGHT SWITCH (if so
equipped)
Instruments and controls2-21
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