Hi everyone! I recently bought my 2006 350z, and the previous owner had a rod knock and replaced the 150k mile engine with a 2003 DE motor with 55k miles on it. Runs amazing, and all is well, however he told me that there’s a check engine light because of two sensors on the 2006 body that the 2003 motor doesn’t have. So essentially I have two sensor plugs hanging out giving me the check light. I wasn’t sure if there is a way to clear the light, or if they make dummy plugs to trick it into thinking it’s plugged in. I might have to do emissions soon depending on when it was last done. Anything will help!

 

Good luck with that, but don't feel bad for ya because you knew it had the issue when you bought it.

Most people here wouldn't buy a street driven car with a CEL

 

Thanks!

 

Is your car a stick ?

 

Yes it’s manual

 

If you have a 2006 6MT/Stick Z33, then the previous owner did you dirty by omitting details about said engine swap. It sounds like your 2006 Z33 has an engine in it that shouldn't be there! The 2006 was a one off year that had what's called the Revup variant of the VQ35DE. They changed the head design to include intake & exhaust cam phasing. The earlier years (2003-2005) only had intake cam phasing. This is why you got two plugs just hanging about, those were supposed to go to the extra cam sensors that a Revup DE has.

As for what to do going forward...Get the right engine with the right heads and swap it in or attempt to get the ECU reflashed, or replace it with an earlier year, but beware, as this could cause other systems/functions of the vehicle to start acting up.

It's a headache, but this is why you do your homework before purchasing a vehicle. Especially a used 350Z. Sadly, the 350Z has become the new Honda Civic in car culture. They're really great cars and not very difficult to take care of, but they have become victims of neglect and abuse. I don't think very many will survive the next 10 years.
-Icer

 

you also will not be able to remove the Cat converters light either as the plugs are not the same.

Research is really important when buying a project car.