Nissan Repair: check engine light/camshaft sensor issues, camshaft position sensor, 2003 nissan altima

Question
QUESTION: HI. I have a 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 (V-6). I recently failed my smog test due to the check engine light being on. The code had to do with the camshaft position sensor, though it did not say if it was the front or rear one. I took it to my mechanic. When they hooked it up to the computer, no codes came up, but they checked both sensors and discovered it was the rear one that was acting up. So they replaced that. My check engine light went off. I was told I would have to drive the car 30 miles before I got it re-smogged so that the computer would reset itself, which I did. But as soon as I hit about 30 miles, the check engine light went back on. What is going on? Could the front sensor really have gone bad already? Or do I have a faulty check engine light?

ANSWER: Hi Allison -

What is the code for the CEL the second time? Is it the same?

And, what is the mileage on your vehicle?

Thanks. please bear with me - it is difficult to diagnose without me being there, so the more info, the better

Aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i don't know the code; i have yet to take it back in to check the code (dreading having to pay again). The mileage is just over 107,000. Since, when I have driven it, the car sounds funny. Rickety or rattle-y, if that makes sense. Cars, btw, are like Chinese with me, so that's really all I can describe it as.

Answer
Hi Alison -

I hear you. This is why I do what I do. Hate to see people paying for nothing. However, there are so many sensors in your vehicle, all inputting into the computer, so it could be one of hundreds of sensors that is causing the light to come on. It could be from the past work, but you can never be sure.

Try this - if you can find the ECM fuse (the fuse for the computer), unplug it for about 30 seconds and replace. Sometimes that resets the light. Or you can disconnect the battery.

Let me know how it goes -
aloha
calvin