Q: Problem Code:P1138 for a 2003 Nissan Sentra GXE, how do I fix this?

asked by on April 11, 2017

My check engine light came on, and I keep getting the problem code P1138 which states that I need to replace my swirl control valve. Every Nissan Dealership that I have called said I do not have this particular part on my car, and I have been unable to find it online. I need to know exactly what is wrong with my car, and what I need to fix or replace without spending $130+.

My car has 144000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Check Engine Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi There, The swirl control valve is actually a part that helps to control the vaporization of the fuel inside the intake passages as it is passed through to the combustion chamber during low idle or cooler operating temperatures. As you may know, when the engine is at idle or when it is running at a cooler operating temperature, the air fuel mixture does not vaporize quite as quickly or efficiently as it does when the engine is warm or at higher speeds an generating more velocity. This valve closes during lower idle speeds and cooler temperatures to help increase this velocity effect, resulting in a more efficiently burned air/fuel charge. When this valve is not working as it is designed to, you may notice the engine running a bit rough or causing the check engine light to come on as you describe. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect and replace this valve.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Coolant leak
Hello! The easiest way to locate a coolant leak is to have the cooling system pressure tested, which can be performed when the engine is cold. The most likely failed component would be the coolant pump. It's usually good practice...
Power steering is hard, softens when I accelerate
Well given the symptoms, it sounds like the power steering pump is not putting out adequate pressure. When you replaced the power steering pump, did you use an OEM pump? If not, I would suggest having the power steering pressure...
Milky residue at the oil cap
That depends on a lot of things. If you don't drive much, especially if you are one of those people like my wife who drives 3 miles to work and 3 miles back, you can get an oily residue. This...
Front end car noise at 15 mph and over on 2007 BMW 530xi
Hello. It's a little difficult for me to pinpoint that type of noise you are hearing over the net. The noise you are describing likely has to do with a braking issue, such as low brake pads (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement) or a...
The OEM tinted windows that came with my 2015 CR-V, is the tinting on the inside or the outside of the glass?
Factory tinting is on the inside of the glass (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-clean-windows-on-a-car-by-olivia-marsh). Generally, you shouldn't use any harsh chemicals on any glass or it may etch the glass and make it unclear or cloudy. If you choose to move forward with the...
Acceleration malfunction
If the car is missing an oxygen sensor, this needs to be addressed first. This can cause the computers to do all sorts of strange things. The PCM uses the O2 sensor to make most decisions for your car to...
My inside lights won't come on.
Hello. The dome light is triggered by a switch in your door or the manual switch on the dashboard or on the fixture itself. Due the fuse being checked and testing good, you are going to need to test for...
My Car will not crank regularly.
Hello there, many common faults will cause your 2011 Audi A4 to have issues starting. If you have to inset the key a number of times your vehicle may have an ignition issue, the most common are worn keys, ignition...
lights on dashboard come on while
Hello, thank you for writing in. The warning lights that are illuminating will stand for whatever system is failing or having issues. If all of the warning lights are coming on, then it is very unlikely all of those systems...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan Juke
The The 2012 Nissan Juke is part crossover, part sports car, and part radical looking car. It has five doors, folding rear seats, and a rear hatch for easy access to the cargo area. The seats fold flat offering extra...
2012 Kia Optima vs. 2012 Nissan Altima: Which One Should I Buy?
Mid-size sedans can be pretty basic, with four doors and simple and straightforward options, decent but not stellar gas mileage, and an uninspired interior. They can also have great design and fight off boredom through sporty suspension and exciting technology...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Interior Designer
As As an interior designer, you need to transport a great many different items, including fabric, paint and wallpaper samples and sometimes even furniture items. You probably don’t handle overly large loads very often, and when you have to, you’ll...