Nissan Maxima

My 95 Maxima SE has been sluggish lately. While driving at a constant speed the engine seems to hesitate and acceleration is poor. On rare occasions the engine RPM will suddenly vary between 500 and 2500 and then stall. I have gotten two error codes recently but think they are the result not the cause of my problem (engine coolant temp sensor, knock sensor). I reset the OBC and the error codes have not reappeared. My fuel consumption has gone down about 30% since the problem appeared. The car was tuned about 25K miles ago.

Replace your engine coolant temp sensor and see if your problems go away. The knock sensor code may be a tripped because of the ECTS.

If you ECU doesn't know what temp your engine is running at, you can have some drivability issues.

From things I've read and heard it sounds as though you either have an intake leak or your MAF is failing or has failed.
Also once you have fixed your MAF problem or leak you need to make sure you reset the ECU then and drive around for at least 3 weeks to a month before it really relearns or learns your driving habits again.

Sounds like either air or fire to me. If you just had a tune up I assume it isn't because of worn out plugs...but unless the wires, distributor, etc...were all replaced during the tune up it could still be a firing problem. Air will have the same effect so it could very well be your MAF Sensor like bk2 says.

E-bay is your best deal on those things.

If the error codes point to the ECTS and the KS, why would you be looking at the MAF sensor?
:confused:
Thats sort of like running out of gas and then checking the oil level to see what's wrong?

We're just offering those as other suggestions because you (amateurmech) said that you felt the coolant sensor code was a result of something else, and not the cause of your problem. That something else sounds like air or fire. But by all means you should check the coolant sensor first if you're sure that's the code your getting. It'll be cheaper and easier to replace it to make sure it doesn't fix everything. Then, if it doesn't, you can start looking elsewhere.:wink:

Welcome to the board BTW.

I didn't question your (tdaily) recommendation to check the MAF, ignition wires and distributor. I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks for helping out.:smile: I'll probably replace the CTS first since I have one handy and then I'll go from there.

I didn't sound huffy did I? :lol: I wasn't meaning to be pissy. I was mostly responding to NJMAXs comment about why me and BK2 were talking about the MAF.:biggrin:

Anyway...sounds like you've got a handle on it for now. Let us know what happens.:thumbsup:

i just opened up my VQ WOT on the highway yesterday and it was ticking like a Rolex i hit 125 MPH and it was smooth sailings, i had to release the pedal because i had cars coming up, otherwise it would have kept pushing.. the moral of the story is not to worry about your problems with your car.. it is probably something minor and it will be fixed and it will be running like a true champ that it is.:wink:

hey amateurmech, I have the same problems with my 95 maxima. I was wondering if you ever fixed that problem of yours. If you did could you please tell me wat was the fix. Any info would be great. thanx

My wife's 1995 maxima has been doing the exact same thing...please let us know what fixed it.

Thanks,

Pat.

i just opened up my VQ WOT on the highway yesterday and it was ticking like a Rolex i hit 125 MPH and it was smooth sailings, i had to release the pedal because i had cars coming up, otherwise it would have kept pushing.. the moral of the story is not to worry about your problems with your car.. it is probably something minor and it will be fixed and it will be running like a true champ that it is.:wink:

Man, I just re-read your post again and I would love to be able to open up my VQ to 125-130 again, I was wondering where were you at and do you get to run that high on a regular basis out that way?

Man, I just re-read your post again and I would love to be able to open up my VQ to 125-130 again, I was wondering where were you at and do you get to run that high on a regular basis out that way?

to be honest with you that was the highest i ever pushed my car.. i usually drive like a grandma and i'm in the city 95% of the time.. i was at a stretch of rt i95 where it meets with i93 in MASS at the end of the stretch there is this huge loop where the two highways meet.
for suspension i only have fstb, rsb and new shoes.. so managing the loop was rather fun..here is a pic of the stretch and the loop so you can get an idea.



http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/3f6c5125_9baf/bc/My+Photos/__sr_/35c6.jpg?bc7TFb_AuEq.8KRP

to be honest with you that was the highest i ever pushed my car.. i usually drive like a grandma and i'm in the city 95% of the time.. i was at a stretch of rt i95 where it meets with i93 in MASS at the end of the stretch there is this huge loop where the two highways meet.
for suspension i only have fstb, rsb and new shoes.. so managing the loop was rather fun..here is a pic of the stretch and the loop so you can get an idea.



http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/3f6c5125_9baf/bc/My+Photos/__sr_/35c6.jpg?bc7TFb_AuEq.8KRP


Pic won't show, so I'm going to try to paste the link you provided and see what it looks like.

PS, I've been to 130 and the car wanted more but that stupid governor and auto would only allow 130.

Linky doesn't worky either, can you try to post the link to the pic?

really you can't see the pic?.. hmm that's strange.. i can see it even your reply with quote shows it on mine.

i hope this link works.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/3f6c5125_9baf/bc/My+Photos/__sr_/35c6.jpg?bc7TFb_AuEq.8KRP