A 2000 Nissan Altima experienced stalling during acceleration, although it would restart only to stall again under load. The “Service Engine Soon” (SES) light illuminated, prompting a friend to use an OTC Scanner Car Motor. However, this action rendered the car unable to start, despite turning over. After sitting overnight, the car started, allowing for a fuel filter and oil change. The problem recurred, leading to the purchase of an Ancel 410 OBD2 scanner car motor.
Further investigation revealed a vacuum hose damaged by rodents, likely contributing to the stalling and the SES light. Replacing the hose resolved the stalling, but the SES light persisted. The friend returned with the OTC scanner car motor to retrieve error codes: P0100, P0505, P0325, P1490, P0446, and P0464. However, connecting the scanner again caused the car to fail to start.
Research suggested that a scanner car motor can sometimes disrupt the Engine Control Module (ECM), requiring a hard reset. This involves disconnecting and connecting both battery terminals for about 10 seconds to discharge capacitors, potentially allowing the car to restart.
This experience highlights the importance of a reliable scanner car motor for diagnosing car problems. While a professional-grade OTC scanner was initially used, it inadvertently caused further issues. An affordable OBD2 scanner car motor, like the Ancel 410, offers a DIY solution for reading error codes and troubleshooting.
However, this case demonstrates that using a scanner car motor can have unintended consequences, potentially requiring an ECM reset. The process of diagnosing and fixing the Altima’s stalling issue involved identifying a physical problem (vacuum hose), using a scanner car motor for error codes, and ultimately, a hard reset to overcome scanner-induced starting problems. The incident underscores the need for careful consideration when using a scanner car motor and the potential necessity of understanding ECM reset procedures.
The experience with the 2000 Nissan Altima demonstrates the complex interplay between mechanical issues, electronic control systems, and the diagnostic tools used to address them. A reliable scanner car motor is essential for identifying error codes, but users should be aware of potential complications and prepared to perform troubleshooting steps like an ECM reset.
