Reference:

Date:

NTB12-011c

March 7, 2013

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
2007-2012 ALTIMA SEDAN & COUPE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
This bulletin has been amended. “This Voluntary Service Campaign DOES NOT APPLY to Altima Hybrid
(L32H) vehicles” was added to the Applied Vehicles section. Please discard previous versions.

CAMPAIGN ID #:

PC125

APPLIED VEHICLES:

2007 – 2012 Al tima Sedan & Co upe (L32 & CL3 2)

»This Voluntary Service Campaign DOES NOT APPLY to Altima Hybrid (L32H) vehicles«
Refer to the flow chart (Repair Overview) on the next page for campaign eligibility.

INTRODUCTION
Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on Model Year 2007-2012 Nissan Altima
(L32) Sedan and Coupe vehicles to inspect the brake system in vehicles with an illuminated
brake warning lamp. Nissan dealers will inspect the brake system and confirm that no brake fluid
leak is present. If no leak is present, the reservoir will be topped off. If a leak in the brake master
cylinder is identified, the brake master cylinder will be replaced.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a brake warning lamp that will illuminate to alert the
driver when fluid in the brake fluid reservoir is low. Fluid in the reservoir may become low due to
normal brake pad wear and not because of any brake system malfunction. While in most
instances an illuminated brake warning lamp is due to normal brake pad wear, a small
percentage of vehicles affected by this campaign may have a slow brake fluid leak at the brake
master cylinder.
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Nissan has assigned identification number PC125 to this campaign. This number must appear
on all communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign.
DEALER RESPONSIBILITY
This action is only required if the brake warning lamp is currently illuminated, or the customer
states it was recently illuminated while driving. In addition, this campaign is intended to promote
customer satisfaction. This inspection may also be performed based on customer request,
regardless of the warning lamp illumination.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job properly
and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO NOT assume that
it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
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Repair Overview
The brake warning lamp is ON, or
the customer reports it was ON in the past.
No

This campaign
does not need to
be preformed

Yes
Check Service Bulletins in Service Comm (NTB12-011) to
confirm the vehicle you are working on requires this campaign.
(See example screen below)

Return vehicle to
the customer

Perform vehicle Multi Point Inspection

Do not file a claim

Perform Brake Master Cylinder Inspection
OK

NG

Top off brake fluid and
other under hood fluids

Replace the Brake
Master Cylinder

Review results of the Multi
Point Inspection with the
customer

Top off brake fluid and
other under hood fluids

Review results of the Multi
Point Inspection with the
customer

END

END

Example Screen

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NTB12-011c

REQUIRED SPECIAL TOOL J-49749
•

Additional tools can be ordered from TECH-MATE at 1-800-662-2001.

Figure A

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NTB12-011c

SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: Perform this procedure only if the brake warning lamp is ON, or the
customer reports the warning lamp was ON in the past.

Brake Master Cylinder Inspection
1. Cover fenders and painted areas to protect them from possible brake fluid splashing.

Brake booster
vacuum tube

2. Locate the brake booster vacuum tube.

Figure 1
3. Carefully pull the vacuum tube from the brake booster (see Figure 2).
4. Remove the rubber grommet from the brake booster (see Figure 2).

Brake booster

Vacuum tube

Rubber grommet has
been removed

Figure 2
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NTB12-011c

IMPORTANT
•

In the next step you will be using special tool J-49749.

•

All residual brake fluid MUST be cleaned / removed from the collection container
and tubing before each use.

•

Any brake fluid left in the container or tubing from a previous test will make the next
test results invalid.

CAUTION: If brake fluid is splashed on painted surfaces, immediately wipe off with a clean
soft cloth and wash with water.

5. Connect Special Tool J-49749 as shown in Figure 3.
•

Use shop air supply pressure between 90 and 120 psi.

Insert suction tube
into brake booster
through vacuum hole

Shop air
supply

Fluid collection
container

Figure 3

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NTB12-011c

6. Move/position the suction tube inside the
brake booster so that any fluid in the lower
area of the brake booster is sucked into
the collection container.

Suck fluid, if any,
from lower area
of booster.

NOTE: If there is fluid in the lower area
of the booster:
•

Keep the collection container
upright.

•

If the collection container fills to
within ½ inch of the top, empty it
and then continue.

•

Figure 4

Continue suction until all of the fluid
is removed.

7. After you have removed any / all fluid from the brake booster, disconnect the tool and check
the collection container.
OK - No fluid in the container:
•

Reinstall all parts removed.

•

Make sure the brake fluid reservoir is full.

•

Check and fill (top-off) under hood fluids (e.g. washer fluid, coolant, brake fluid).

•

Review results of the Multi-Point Inspection with the customer.

NG - Any amount of fluid in the container:
•

Replace the Brake Master Cylinder – Instructions starting on the next page.

•

Check and fill (top-off) under hood fluids (e.g. washer fluid, coolant, brake fluid).

•

Review results of the Multi-Point Inspection with the customer.

NOTE: Once fluid is removed from the booster, the booster does not need to be replaced.

IMPORTANT
•

Make sure to clean special tool J-49749 after each use.

•

All residual brake fluid must be cleaned / removed from the collection container
and tubing before it is used again.

•

Any brake fluid left in the container or tubing from a previous test will make the next
test results invalid.
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NTB12-011c

Brake Master Cylinder Replacement

1. Write down the radio station presets.

Presets
A
B
C
SAT

1

2

3

4

5

6

2. If equipped, write down the customer settings for the ATC (Automatic Temperature Control)
system. (Refer to the Service Manual as needed).

3. Cover fenders and painted areas to protect them from possible brake fluid splashing.

CAUTION: If brake fluid is splashed on painted surfaces, immediately wipe off with a soft
cloth and wash with water.

4. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

5. Disconnect the electrical connector from the Mass Air Flow Sensor.

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NTB12-011c

6. Remove the items shown in Figure 5 (4 cyl) or Figure 6 (6 cyl).

4 cylinder engine (QR25DE)
1. Air duct hose
2. Front air duct
3. Air cleaner assembly
A: To electric throttle control actuator.

Figure 5

6 cylinder engine (VQ35DE)
1. Air duct hose
2. Duct sub cover
3. Front air duct
4. Air cleaner assembly
A: To electric throttle control
actuator.
NOTE: CVT vent tube will
need to be disconnected from
the air cleaner assembly as
the assembly is removed.

Figure 6

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NTB12-011c

Harness
mount

7. Disconnect the brake fluid level sensor
connector.

8. Disconnect the harness mount from the
side of the fluid reservoir.
Level sensor
connector
Figure 7

9. Drain the fluid from the brake master
reservoir as follows:
a. Make sure the parking brake is set.
b. Attach a vinyl tube with catch container
to a caliper bleed valve.
d. Open the bleed valve.
e. Slowly pump the brake pedal until the
brake fluid reservoir is empty.