check engine light NISSAN SENTRA 1997 B14 / 4.G User Guide

Press the pedal by hand and be sure the
free travel is within the limits shown above.
If free travel is out of the range shown
above, see your NISSAN dealer.CAUTION
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
Engine compartment
If the electrical equipment does not come
on, check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the head-
light switch are OFF.
2. Open the engine hood.3. Remove the fuse box cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
located on the reverse side of the pas-
senger compartment fuse box cover.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by
your NISSAN dealer.
Fusible links
If the electrical equipment does not operate
and fuses are in good condition, check the
fusible links. If any of these fusible links are
melted, replace only with genuine NISSAN
parts.ADI0654ADI0628
CLUTCH PEDAL FUSES
7-23
ZX

Tire rotation* ÐTires should be rotated
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Wheel alignment and balance ÐIf the
vehicle should pull to either side while driv-
ing on a straight and level road, or if you
detect uneven or abnormal tire wear, there
may be a need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing
may be needed.
Windshield wiper blades* ÐCheck for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and engine hood ÐCheck that all
doors and the engine hood operate prop-
erly. Also ensure that all latches lock se-
curely. Lubricate hinges, latches, rollers and
links if necessary. Make sure the secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrication
frequently.
Lights* ÐMake sure the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.INSIDE THE VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing periodic maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself operations'' section.
Warning lights and chimes ÐMake sure
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* ÐCheck
that the wipers and washer operate properly
and that the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster ÐCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient quantity when operating the
heater or air conditioner.
Steering wheel ÐCheck for changes in
the steering conditions, such as excessive
freeplay, hard steering or strange noises.
Seats ÐCheck seat position controls such
as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to
ensure they operate smoothly and all
latches lock securely in every position.
Check that the head restraints move up anddown smoothly and the locks hold securely
in all latched positions.
Seat belts ÐCheck that all parts of the seat
belt system (e.g., buckles, anchors, adjust-
ers and retractors) operate properly and
smoothly, and are installed securely. Check
the belt webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or
damage.
Accelerator pedal ÐCheck the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort.
Keep the floor mats away from the pedal.
Clutch pedal* ÐMake sure the pedal
operates smoothly and check that it has the
proper free travel.
Brakes ÐCheck that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
Brake pedal* ÐCheck the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure it has the
proper distance under it when depressed
fully. Check the brake booster function. Be
certain to keep floor mats away from the
pedal.
Parking brake* ÐCheck that the lever has
the proper travel and confirm that your
vehicle is held securely on a fairly steep hill
8-3
ZX

of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index). How-
ever, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI (Anti-
Knock Index) in high altitude areas (over
4,000 ft [1,219 m]) such as: Colorado, Mon-
tana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, north-
eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western
South Dakota, western Nebraska, and that
part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ``spark knock.'' (``Spark
knock'' is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady
speed on level roads, have your dealer
correct the condition. Failure to correct
the condition is misuse of the vehicle, for
which NISSAN is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing results in knocking,
after-run and/or overheating. This in turn
may cause excessive fuel consumption or
damage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-hicle checked at a NISSAN dealer or other
competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is
not a cause for concern, because you
get the greatest fuel benefit when there
is light spark knock for a short time
under heavy engine load.
9-4
ZX

10 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ...................................................... 2-16
Air bag warning light .......................... 1-6, 2-22
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 7-19
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 3-5
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations.................. 9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3
Servicing air conditioner ......................... 3-9
Air flow charts .............................................. 3-6
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............... 1-9
Anchor point locations ............................... 2-35
Antenna (manual) ...................................... 3-14
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 4-17
Anti-lock brake warning light ....................... 1-7
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 1-14
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette
player........................................... 3-11, 3-13
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 1-17
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 7-11
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 4-6B
Battery........................................................ 7-15
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-5
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 7-17
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 4-17
Brake booster ....................................... 7-22
Brake fluid............................................. 7-14
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 7-26
Brake pedal .......................................... 7-21
Brake system ........................................ 4-17
Brake warning light ................................. 1-7
Brake wear indicators ................... 1-8, 7-22
Parking brake check ............................. 7-21
Parking brake operation ....................... 4-11
Break-in schedule ...................................... 4-14
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 1-5
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants...................................................... 9-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................ 9-13
Cassette player (See audio
system) ............................................. 3-11, 3-13
CB radio or car phone ............................... 3-15Check engine indicator light (See
malfunction indicator light) ........................... 1-8
Child restraints for infants and small
children ...................................................... 2-31
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-6
Cigarette lighter (accessory)
and ashtray ................................................ 1-14
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 6-2
Clock-radio ................................................. 3-11
Clutch
Clutch pedal.......................................... 7-23
Cold weather driving .................................. 4-19
Controls
Audio controls ....................................... 3-11
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 7-6
Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-3
Corrosion protection .................................... 6-5
Cruise control............................................. 4-12
Cup holder ................................................. 1-15
ZX

D
Daytime running light system (Canada
only) ........................................................... 1-12
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-11
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-9
Door ajar warning light ................................ 1-6
Door locks .................................................... 2-2
Drive belts .................................................. 7-17
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 4-19
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ........... 4-9
Precautions when starting and
driving ..................................................... 4-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 4-14
Emission control information label............. 9-12
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-18
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 7-6
Changing engine oil................................ 7-9
Changing engine oil filter...................... 7-10
Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-5
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-8Engine compartment check
locations .......................................... 7-3, 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-3
Engine cooling system ........................... 7-5
Engine oil ................................................ 7-8
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 1-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
Engine specifications .............................. 9-8
Starting the engine ............................... 4-11
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 4-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 1-14
Flat tire ......................................................... 5-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 6-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 7-11
Brake fluid............................................. 7-14
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Engine coolant ........................................ 7-5
Engine oil ................................................ 7-8
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-13
Window washer fluid ............................ 7-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-11
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-13
Front seats ................................................. 2-12Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 4-14
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 2-10
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 2-10
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-4
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-3
Fuses ......................................................... 7-23
Fusible links ............................................... 7-23
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-3
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-4
Speedometer .......................................... 1-3
Tachometer............................................. 1-3
Trip odometer ......................................... 1-3
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Glove box..................................................... 2-8
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-14
Head restraints .......................................... 2-14
Headlight aiming adjustment ..................... 7-26
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-12
Headlights .................................................. 7-25
10-2
ZX

Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3
Heater operation ..................................... 3-4
Heater operation .......................................... 3-4
Hood release ............................................... 2-7
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4
Increasing fuel economy............................ 4-14
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 1-5
Inside mirror ............................................... 2-39
Instrument brightness control .................... 1-13
Interior light ................................................ 1-18
J
Jump starting ............................................... 5-7
K
Key ............................................................... 2-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote
control system) ............................................ 2-3L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-12
Emission control information label........ 9-12
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................ 9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate ...................................................... 9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 2-22
License plate
Installing the license plate .................... 9-13
Light
Air bag warning light ..................... 1-6, 2-22
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 7-26
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 1-5
Front fog light switch ............................ 1-13
Headlight aiming adjustment ................ 7-26
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 1-12
Headlights ............................................. 7-25
Interior light ........................................... 1-18
Light bulbs ............................................ 7-25
Trunk light ............................................. 1-19
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 1-5
Lock
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 2-6
Door locks............................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 2-10
Power door lock...................................... 2-3
Trunk lid lock opener lever ..................... 2-8
Luggage (See vehicle loading
information ................................................. 9-13M
Maintenance
General maintenance ............................. 8-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Outside the vehicle ................................. 8-2
Periodic maintenance schedules ............ 8-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-30
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............................ 1-8
Manual antenna ......................................... 3-14
Manual windows ........................................ 1-16
Meters and gauges ...................................... 1-2
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 2-39
Outside mirror control ........................... 2-38
Vanity mirror ......................................... 2-39
Multi-remote control system ........................ 2-3
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ........ 9-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine oil................................ 7-9
Changing engine oil filter...................... 7-10
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-8
Engine oil ................................................ 7-8
10-3
ZX

Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Opener lever for trunk lid............................. 2-8
Outside mirror control ................................ 2-38
Overdrive switch .......................................... 4-8
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ...................... 5-10
Owner's manual order form ....................... 9-20
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 7-21
Parking brake operation ....................... 4-11
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 4-15
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 8-5
Power
Power door lock...................................... 2-3
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-13
Power windows..................................... 1-16
Rear power windows ............................ 1-17
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-24
Precautions when starting and
driving ..................................................... 4-2
Push starting ................................................ 5-9R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ....... 3-11,
3-13
CB radio or car phone .......................... 3-15
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ............................................................. 9-19
Rear power windows ................................. 1-17
Rear seat ................................................... 2-15
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-11
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-7
Registering your vehicle in another
country ....................................................... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system (See
multi-remote control system) ....................... 2-3
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-18
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 2-6
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-18
Seat adjustment ......................................... 2-12
Seat belt
2-point type without retractor (rear center
lap belt) ................................................. 2-29
3-point type with retractor..................... 2-27
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-24
Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-30
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-30
Seat belts.............................................. 2-24Shoulder belt height adjustment ........... 2-28
Seat belt warning light ................................. 1-6
Seats
Front seats............................................ 2-12
Rear seat .............................................. 2-15
Service manual order form ........................ 9-20
Servicing air conditioner .............................. 3-9
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 4-7
Manual transmission............................... 4-9
Shoulder belt height adjustment ................ 2-28
Spark plug replacement............................. 7-18
Speedometer ............................................... 1-3
SRS warning label ..................................... 2-22
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Jump starting .......................................... 5-7
Precautions when starting and
driving ..................................................... 4-2
Push starting........................................... 5-9
Starting the engine ............................... 4-11
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-13
Tilting steering wheel............................ 2-37
Stop light .................................................... 7-26
Sunroof ...................................................... 1-18
Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental
air bag system) .......................................... 2-16
Switch
Automatic power window switch .......... 1-17
Front fog light switch ............................ 1-13
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-14
10-4
ZX