2005 Nissan Sentra: Exterior & Interior Service Manual

Precautions

Precautions for Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER". The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) such as "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER", used along with a front seat belt, helps to reduce the risk or severity of injury to the driver and front passenger for certain types of collision. Information necessary to service the system safely is included in the SRS and SB section of this Service Manual.

WARNING:

• To avoid rendering the SRS inoperative, which could increase the risk of personal injury or death in the event of a collision which would result in air bag inflation, all maintenance must be performed by an authorized NISSAN/INFINITI dealer.
• Improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation of the SRS, can lead to personal injury caused by unintentional activation of the system. For removal of Spiral Cable and Air Bag Module, see the SRS section.
• Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRS unless instructed to in this Service Manual. SRS wiring harnesses can be identified by yellow and/or orange harness connectors.

Preparation

Special Service Tools

The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.

Commercial Service Tools

Squeak and Rattle Trouble Diagnoses

Work Flow

A flowchart illustrates the process for diagnosing squeaks and rattles:

• Customer Interview
• Duplicate the Noise and Test Drive
• Check Related Service Bulletins
• Locate the Noise and Identify the Root Cause
• Repair the Cause
• Confirm Repair
• Inspection End

Customer Interview

Interview the customer to determine the conditions under which the noise occurs. Use the Diagnostic Worksheet to document facts and customer comments. Attempt to obtain all relevant details, even if the customer cannot provide a precise description or location. If multiple noises are present, focus on the customer's primary concern. Identify noise characteristics to ensure clear communication between customer, service advisor, and technician.

Noise Characteristics:

• Squeak: Light contact, fast movement, often on hard surfaces, resulting in a higher pitch. On softer surfaces, the pitch is lower. Edge-to-surface contact can cause chirping.
• Creak: Firm contact, slow movement, twisting with rotational movement, pitch dependent on materials, often brought on by activity.
• Rattle: Fast repeated contact, vibration, or similar movement; loose parts, missing clips or fasteners, or incorrect clearance.
• Knock: Hollow sounding, sometimes repeating, often brought on by driver action.
• Tick: Gentle contacting of light materials, loose components, can be caused by driver action or road conditions.
• Thump: Heavy, muffled knock noise, often brought on by activity.
• Buzz: High frequency rattle, firm contact.

Note that acceptable noise levels can vary between individuals, and weather conditions (humidity, temperature) can affect noise levels.

Duplicate the Noise and Test Drive

Drive the vehicle with the customer to duplicate the noise. Note any additional information on the Diagnostic Worksheet. If the noise can be duplicated while the vehicle is stopped, try the following:

• Close a door.
• Tap or push/pull around the suspected noise area.
• Rev the engine.
• Use a floor jack to recreate vehicle "twist".
• At idle, apply engine load (electrical load, half-clutch on M/T, drive position on A/T).
• Raise the vehicle on a hoist and hit a tire with a rubber hammer.
• Drive the vehicle and attempt to duplicate customer-stated conditions.
• If difficult to duplicate, drive slowly on an undulating or rough road to stress the vehicle body.

Check Related Service Bulletins

After verifying the customer concern, check ASIST for relevant Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Follow the TSB procedure if applicable.

Locate the Noise and Identify the Root Cause

1. Narrow down the noise to a general area using a listening tool (Chassis Ear: J-39570, Engine Ear: J-39565, mechanics stethoscope).
2. Narrow down to a more specific area and identify the cause by:
   • Removing suspected components. Avoid excessive force when removing clips and fasteners to prevent breakage.
   • Tapping or pushing/pulling suspected components. Avoid excessive force, which may only temporarily eliminate the noise.
   • Feeling for vibration by touching suspected components.
   • Looking for loose components and contact marks.
   • Placing a piece of paper between suspected components.

Refer to El-6, "Generic Squeak and Rattle Troubleshooting".

Repair the Cause

• If the cause is a loose component, tighten it securely.
• If the cause is insufficient clearance:
  • Separate components by repositioning or loosening and retightening.
  • Insulate components using urethane pads, foam blocks, felt cloth tape, or urethane tape. A NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-43980) is available.

CAUTION: Do not use excessive force on plastic components. Always check with the Parts Department for the latest information.

The NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-43980) contains:

• URETHANE PADS [1.5 mm (0.059 in) thick]: Insulates connectors, harness, etc. (Part numbers and sizes provided).
• INSULATOR (Foam blocks): Insulates components from contact, can be used to fill space behind a panel.

Additional materials that can be used include:

• UHMW (TEFLON) TAPE: Insulates where slight movement is present.
• SILICONE GREASE: Used in place of UHMW tape when visible or not fitting. Note: Lasts only a few months.
• SILICONE SPRAY: Use when grease cannot be applied.
• DUCT TAPE: Use to eliminate movement.

Confirm the Repair

Test drive the vehicle under the same conditions as when the noise originally occurred to confirm the repair. Refer to the Diagnostic Worksheet.

Generic Squeak and Rattle Troubleshooting

Refer to the Table of Contents for specific component removal and installation information.

Instrument Panel

Common causes include contact and movement between:

• Cluster lid A and instrument panel
• Acrylic lens and combination meter housing
• Instrument panel to front pillar garnish
• Instrument panel to windshield
• Instrument panel mounting pins
• Wiring harnesses behind the combination meter
• A/C defroster duct and duct joint

These can usually be located by tapping or moving components. Repairs often involve applying felt cloth tape or silicone spray. Urethane pads can insulate wiring harnesses.

CAUTION: Do not use silicone spray to isolate a squeak or rattle, as it can prevent re-checking the repair.

Center Console

Pay attention to:

• Shifter assembly cover to finisher
• A/C control unit and upper/lower cluster lid C
• Wiring harnesses behind audio and A/C control unit

Instrument panel repair procedures also apply to the center console.

Doors

Pay attention to:

• Finisher and inner panel making a slapping noise
• Inside handle escutcheon to door finisher
• Wiring harnesses tapping
• Door striker out of alignment causing a popping noise on starts and stops

Tapping, moving, or pressing components while driving can help isolate incidents. Felt cloth tape or insulator foam blocks from the NISSAN Squeak and Rattle Kit (J-43980) can be used for repair.

Trunk

Common causes include a loose jack or items in the trunk. Also check:

• Trunk lid bumpers out of adjustment
• Trunk lid striker out of adjustment
• Trunk lid torsion bars knocking together
• Loose license plate or bracket

Repairs involve adjusting, securing, or insulating the item(s) or component(s).

Sunroof/Headliner

Noises can be traced to:

• Sunroof lid, rail, linkage, or seals making a rattle or light knocking noise
• Sunvisor shaft shaking in the holder
• Front or rear windshield touching headliner and squeaking

Pressing components to stop the noise while duplicating conditions helps isolate incidents. Repairs typically involve insulating with felt cloth tape.

Overhead Console (Front and Rear)

Noises are often caused by console panel clips not being engaged correctly. Push up on the console at clip locations until they engage.

Check for:

• Loose harness or harness connectors
• Front console map/reading lamp lens loose
• Loose screws at console attachment points

Seats

When isolating seat noises, note the seat position and load. Duplicate these conditions when verifying and isolating the cause.

Causes of seat noise include:

• Headrest rods and holders
• Squeak between the seat pad cushion and frame
• Rear seat back lock and bracket

Isolate by moving or pressing suspected components. Repairs may involve repositioning or applying urethane tape.

Underhood

Interior noises can be transmitted from components under the hood or on the engine wall.

Causes of transmitted underhood noises include:

• Components mounted to the engine wall
• Components passing through the engine wall
• Engine wall mounts and connectors
• Loose radiator mounting pins
• Hood bumpers out of adjustment
• Hood striker out of adjustment

These noises can be difficult to isolate from the interior. Secure, move, or insulate one component at a time and test drive. Engine RPM or load can also help isolate the noise. Repairs involve moving, adjusting, securing, or insulating the component.

Diagnostic Worksheet

A diagnostic worksheet is provided for customers to help identify squeaks and rattles. It includes sections for:

• WHERE DOES THE NOISE COME FROM? (Circle the area of the vehicle)
• WHEN DOES IT OCCUR? (Checkboxes for anytime, morning, cold/hot outside, after sun, raining/wet, dry/dusty conditions, other)
• WHEN DRIVING: (Checkboxes for through driveways, rough roads, speed bumps, specific speeds, acceleration, stopping, turns, with passengers/cargo, after driving)
• WHAT TYPE OF NOISE? (Descriptions of squeak, creak, rattle, knock, tick, thump, buzz)

Dealership personnel complete sections for Test Drive Notes, VIN, Customer Name, and Work Order details.

Clip and Fastener

This section details various clips and fasteners used in the EI section, providing their symbols, shapes, and removal/installation procedures. Examples include:

• C101, C103, C203, C205, C206, CE103, CE107, CE117, CF110, CF118, CG101, CS101, CR103, Metal Clip.

Instructions often involve using a flat-bladed screwdriver or clip remover, and sometimes pushing a center pin.

Body Front End

Removal and Installation

• When removing or installing the hood, use padding on front fender panels and cowl top to prevent scratches.
• Bumper fascia is plastic; avoid excessive force and oil.
• Hood adjustment: Adjust at hinge portion.
• Hood lock adjustment: After adjusting, check operation. Apply grease to the engaging mechanism.
• Hood opener: Do not forcibly bend the cable.

Front Bumper Assembly

1. Remove screws securing fog lamps (if equipped) or filler trim panel.
2. Remove four clips C205 from the top of the front grille, pull up to unclip bottom and remove.
3. Remove clips C205 and screws from the front side of the fender protector at the wheel opening.
4. Remove three bolts from the air deflector.
5. Remove two bolts securing the lower side of the front bumper fascia.
6. Pull off the front bumper fascia and energy absorber.
7. Remove four nuts securing the bumper reinforcement, then remove it.
8. Remove four bolts securing the front bumper side stays, then remove them.
9. Remove the air dam if necessary.

Diagrams illustrate hood lock adjustment, bumper rubber adjustment, and front grille removal. Torque specifications are provided in N-m (kg-m, ft-lb) and N-m (kg-m, in-lb).

Body Rear End and Opener

Removal and Installation

• When removing or installing the trunk lid, use padding on rear fender panels to prevent scratches.
• Bumper fascia is plastic; avoid excessive force and oil.
• Trunk lid adjustment: Adjust at hinge for proper fit.
• Trunk lid lock system adjustment: Adjust striker to be centered in the lock. Check operation after adjustment.
• Opener cable: Do not forcibly bend the cable.
• Ensure trunk lid and fuel filler lid open smoothly after installation.

Rear Bumper Assembly

1. Remove two clips C205 from the lower side and four clips C205 from the upper side of the rear bumper fascia.
2. Remove two screws from each quarter panel side.
3. Remove two screws from each upper side of the fascia into bumper side brackets.
4. Remove the rear bumper fascia.
5. Remove the energy absorber from the rear bumper reinforcement.
6. Remove four nuts securing the bumper reinforcement and remove it.
7. Remove four bolts securing each bumper side stay, and remove the side stays.

Diagrams show trunk lid hinge removal, opener handle, trunk lid lock, trunk lid torsion bar removal, fuel filler lid control, trunk lid opener and striker adjustment, bumper clip, bumper side bracket, and trunk lid hinge removal. Torque specifications are provided.

Windshield Molding

Windshield and Rear Window

This section details the installation of windshield side molding, windshield upper molding, and rear window molding. It involves the use of urethane adhesive, foam dams, and specific placement of spacers.

Diagrams illustrate the application of urethane adhesive and foam dams for:

• Windshield side molding
• Windshield upper molding
• Rear window molding

The process for rear window molding involves inserting a spacer into the roof hole and applying urethane adhesive.

Exterior

This section covers various exterior components and their removal and installation:

• Hood front seal
• Cowl top seal and cowl top grille
• Windshield side molding
• Windshield upper molding
• Rear window molding
• Drip weatherstrip
• Body side welt
• Door weatherstrip
• Rear door parting seal
• Door outside molding
• Sunroof lid weatherstrip
• Side guard molding
• Trunk lid weatherstrip
• Rear combination lamp
• Rear air spoiler and high-mounted stop lamp
• Fender and center mudguard

Diagrams and brief descriptions are provided for each component, including the use of clips, screws, urethane adhesive, butyl seal, and heat guns where applicable. Torque specifications are noted for some components.

Side and Floor Trim

Removal and Installation

CAUTION: Wrap the tip of a flat-bladed screwdriver with a cloth when removing metal clips from garnishes.

1. Remove A/T finisher or M/T shift lever boot (Refer to IP-10).
2. Remove the console (Refer to IP-10).
3. Remove front and rear seats (Refer to SE-3 and SE-5).
4. Remove kick plates.
5. Remove dash side lower garnish.
6. Remove body side welts.
7. Remove front seat belt floor anchor bolt (Refer to SB-3).
8. Remove rear seat belt floor anchor bolt (Refer to SB-5).
9. Remove center pillar lower garnish.
10. Remove adjuster cover and pillar shoulder bolt (Refer to SB-3).
11. Remove floor carpet.
12. Remove center pillar upper garnish.
13. Remove front pillar garnish.
14. Remove rear pillar garnish.
15. Remove parcel shelf.
16. Remove center rear seat back finisher.
17. Remove side rear seat back finishers.

Diagrams illustrate the location of various clips (metal clips, C101, C103) and components within the side and floor trim areas.

Door Finisher

Removal and Installation

CAUTION: Wrap the tip of a flat-bladed screwdriver with cloth when prying pawls from door trim.

1. Remove the door pull finisher(s).
2. Remove power window switch(es) finisher(s), then disconnect the connector(s) (if equipped). Do not lift the front of the power window switch assembly.
3. Remove window regulator handle (models without power windows).
4. Remove screws and disconnect clips C101 and clips C103 from the door.
5. Reach behind and carefully pull the door trim panel from the inside handle until the finisher pops off.
6. Lift out the door trim.

Diagrams show the door trim panel with locations for screws, clips, and the finisher.

Roof Trim

Removal and Installation

1. Fully tilt front right and left seat backs backward.
2. Remove front pillar garnish, front and rear kick plates (Refer to El-28).
3. Remove center pillar lower and upper garnish, and rear pillar garnish (Refer to El-28).
4. Remove sun visors.
5. Remove interior lamp.
6. Remove assist grips.
7. Remove sunroof welt (if equipped) and door welts.
8. Remove sunroof switch (if equipped) and map lamp assembly.
9. Remove clips attached to the roof.
10. Take out the headlining from the front passenger door.

Diagrams illustrate the roof trim components, including assist grips and the sunroof assembly, with references to clips and welt joint portions.

Trunk Room Trim

Removal and Installation

Diagrams show the trunk room trim components and their attachment points using clips such as C206 and C103, and metal clips.