Reference: Date:

NTB02-038 April 10, 2002

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
AIR BAG SENSOR REPLACEMENT

CAMPAIGN I.D. #: P2110

APPLIED VEHICLE: 2002 Altima (L31)
APPLIED VINS: 1N4*L11**2C100000 to 229027
NOTE: Use Service Comm to confirm campaign applicability.

INTRODUCTION
Nissan recently learned that one of the sensors for the air bag system installed on Nissan
Altima vehicles does not work as well as expected in a rare, high-speed off-set crash
situation. We improved the sensor and are using it in all new Altimas that are now being
manufactured.
To maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and confidence in the 2002 Altima by
assuring optimum performance of the airbag sensor, Nissan wants to replace the sensor
on these vehicles.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Nissan has assigned identification number P2110 to this campaign. This number must
appear on all communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this
Campaign.

NUMBER OF VEHICLES POTENTIALLY AFFECTED

The number of vehicles potentially affected is approximately 116,500.

DEALER RESPONSIBILITY
It is the dealer’s responsibility to check Service Comm for the campaign status on each
vehicle falling within the range of this campaign that enters the service department. This
includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners
and vehicles in a dealer’s inventory.

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SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: Use suitable covers to protect fenders, grille, etc. during the following procedure.
Replace the crash zone sensor with the one specified in the Parts Information section as
follows:
1. Use Service Comm to confirm the vehicle is part of this campaign.
2. Use CONSULT-II to check for any stored air bag related DTC(s) as follows:
A. Connect CONSULT-II to the vehicle (use 16 meg RED diagnosis card).
B. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
C. Press “START” (see Figure 1).

NISSAN

CONSULT-II

AED01B-1

ENGINE

START

SUB MODE
PRESS
LIGHT COPY

TP020146
Figure 1
D. Press “AIR BAG” (see Figure 2).

SELECT SYSTEM

ENGINE

A/T

ABS

AIR BAG

BCM

PRESS

BACK LIGHT COPY

TP020147
Figure 2

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 E. Press “SELF DIAG – [CURRENT]” (see Figure 3).

SELECT DIAG MODE

SELF-DIAG [CURRENT]

SELF-DIAG [PAST]

TROUBLE DIAG RECORD

PRESS
FUNCTION TEST

ECU DISCRIMINATED NO.

Scroll Down

BACK LIGHT COPY

TP020148
Figure 3
F. Check for any air bag related DTC(s).
• If a DTC(s) exists that is NOT related to the crash zone sensor, correct the DTC(s)
separately from this campaign.
• If a DTC(s) exists that is related to the crash zone sensor or if no DTC(s) exists,
proceed with step 3.

3. Press “ERASE” on CONSULT-II (see Figure 4).

SELF-DIAG RESULTS
DTC RESULTS TIME

NO DTC IS DETECTED.
FURTHER TESTING
MAY BE REQUIRED.

PRESS

F.F. DATA

ERASE PRINT

MODE BACK LIGHT COPY

TP020150
Figure 4

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4. Press “YES” on CONSULT-II (see Figure 5).

SELF-DIAG RESULTS
DTC RESULTS TIME

NO DTC IS DETECTED.
FURTHER TESTING
MAY BE REQUIRED.
ERASE SELF-DIAG RESULTS?

PRESS

YES NO
F.F. DATA

ERASE PRINT

MODE BACK LIGHT COPY

TP020151
Figure 5
5. Press “BACK” 4X (i.e., 4 times). See Figure 6.

SELF-DIAG RESULTS
DTC RESULTS TIME

NO DTC IS DETECTED.
FURTHER TESTING
MAY BE REQUIRED.

PRESS
4X
F.F. DATA

ERASE PRINT

MODE BACK LIGHT COPY

TP020152
Figure 6
6. Record all radio station pre-sets.
7. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
8. Disconnect both the positive and negative cables from the battery.
9. Wait 3 minutes.
WARNING: DO NOT work on any Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) components
(i.e., connectors, wires, etc.) until at least 3 minutes have passed. It is still possible
for the air bags and seat belt pre-tensioners to deploy for approximately 3 minutes
after the battery cables are disconnected.

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10. Re-position the front grille as follows:
A. Remove four upper grille clips by pulling up on the center portion of each clip to
release them (see Figure 7).

Grille attachment clips

Pull center portion

of clip up to release

Front
TP020136
Figure 7
B. Carefully pull the top of the grille forward to gain access to the crash zone sensor
(see Figure 8).
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the grille or its lower attachment clips while pulling on
the top of the grille to reposition it.

Crash zone
sensor

Front
grille

Pull

Front TP020153
Figure 8

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11. Remove and discard the two nuts that secure the crash zone sensor (see Figure 9).
NOTES:
• Do not use air impact tools to remove the two nuts
• Do not re-use the two nuts

Nuts (remove)
TP020138
Figure 9
12. Remove the crash zone sensor metal cover (see Figure 10).

Crash zone
sensor metal
cover (remove)

Crash zone
sensor

Front
TP020139

Figure 10

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13. Carefully lift the sensor out and disconnect it from the vehicle harness by pulling back
on the SLIDE portion of the connector (see Figure 11).
NOTE: Pulling back on the SLIDE portion ONLY, will unlock the connector from the sensor.

Front
Pull back on SLIDE portion
Crash zone sensor of connector to release
(remove)

Vehicle
harness

Front
TP020140
Figure 11
14. Render the old crash zone sensor useless by breaking its plastic connector with a pair
of pliers (see Figure 12).

Plastic crash zone

sensor connector
(break with pliers)

TP020141
Figure 12

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15. Install the new crash zone sensor as follows:
IMPORTANT: Please note the following precautions when installing the new crash zone
sensor.
• Use extreme care when handling the sensor
• Do NOT drop the sensor
• Do NOT use impact tools when installing the sensor
• Inspect the new sensor for signs of damage or abuse before installation
NOTE: The new crash zone sensor has a green, round sticker on it.
A. Re-connect the vehicle harness to the new crash zone sensor by pushing the END
of the connector until it is fully seated and locked onto the sensor (see
Figure 13).
NOTE: Firmly pushing on the END of the connector ONLY, will allow the connector to
fully seat and lock onto the sensor.

Push the END of the

connector until it is fully
seated and locked onto
the sensor

Front
TP020142
Figure 13
B. Position the new sensor and the previously removed metal cover onto the mounting
studs.
C. Install two new nuts and tighten them to 96–168 in-lbs (8–14 ft-lbs / 1.0–1.9 kg-m).
16. Re-attach the front grille using the four previously removed clips.
17. Re-connect both cables to the battery. Tighten both cable clamp nuts to 35 in-lbs.

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18. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, then:
• Confirm the air bag warning light immediately comes ON (see Figure 14)
• Confirm the air bag warning light turns OFF after 7 seconds

Air bag
warning light

60
80
40
60 120 100 H
20 40 160

0 200 120
0 C
240
140 F

mph
E

TP020144
Figure 14
19. Go back to pages 2 and 3 and perform steps “2C”, “2D”. and “2E” using CONSULT-II to
make sure there are no stored air bag related DTC(s).
20. If equipped, re-set the sunroof memory as follows:
A. First, use the sunroof switch (see Figure 15) to close the sunroof, if necessary.

Sunroof switch
(close sunroof, then
continue to press and
hold the switch for 5
seconds to re-set the
sunroof memory)
TP020143
Figure 15
B. Then, press and hold the sunroof switch in the closed position for 5 seconds to re-
set the sunroof memory.
21. Re-program all radio station pre-sets.
22. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
23. Disconnect CONSULT-II.

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PARTS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER QUANTITY
Crash Zone Sensor Kit * 98581-3Z085 1
* Kit includes:
• Crash zone sensor
• Two mounting nuts
• One front grille upper clip (if needed)

CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a "Campaign" (CM) line claim using the following claims coding information:
Campaign I.D.: P2110
DESCRIPTION OP CODE FRT
R&R Crash Zone Sensor P21101 0.4 hrs

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OWNER’S LETTER

Dear Nissan Altima Owner:

This letter contains important information about the airbag system in your Altima and about
a product improvement we would like to make to this system. Please read this carefully.
Nissan is committed to providing the highest levels of product quality, product safety and
customer satisfaction. We recently learned that one of the sensors for the airbag system
does not work as well as we expected in a rare, high-speed off-set crash situation. We
improved the sensor and are using it in Altimas that are now being made. We want to
replace the sensor in your Altima with the improved version to assure optimum
performance of your airbag system. This replacement will be free of charge.

What You Should Do

Contact your Nissan dealer and schedule an appointment to have the improved sensor
installed in your vehicle. Please bring this notice with you to your service appointment.

What Nissan Will Do

At no cost to you, Nissan will replace the sensor currently installed on your vehicle with
the improved version. This free service should take about one hour to complete, but your
Nissan dealer may require your vehicle for a longer period of time based upon their work
schedule, or parts availability.
If you have any other questions or concerns, you may contact a Nissan representative at
1-800-NISSAN1(1-800-647-7261). If you reside in Hawaii, please call (808) 836-0888.
Thank you for providing us an opportunity to ensure on-going satisfaction with your Nissan
Altima.

NISSAN DIVISION
Nissan North America

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