1991 maxima engine problem

Hi I'm new to the forum so please excuse any mistake I may make in the course of this entry. I have a 91 maxima and I was wondering if anyone could help me diagnose an engine problem that just started to occur. It seems that the engine is surging when I give it gas. It will also stall when I depress the throttle. I have changed the fuel filter and checked the spark plugs to make sure they are all firing. I believe the problem is related to fuel and not spark do to the way the engine is surging when I give it gas. The next step is to check the fuel pump and injectors to see if they are functioning properly. If any one has any knowledge of a similar problem please contact me through this forum. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi ... If any one has any knowledge of a similar problem please contact me through this forum. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I have through experience. No hlp found, so I dug into it, documented. Built a web page 4U. Details are for VGE -engine, BUT VE has got all the same features. Check out: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/1

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I have through experience. No hlp found, so I dug into it, documented. Built a web page 4U. Details are for VGE -engine, BUT VE has got all the same features. Check out: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/1

.
Thank You very much Nahkapohjola for the web page it was extremley useful. I think I found the problem. I just have to perform a few more tests to be sure. Keep up the great job in helping people on this forum. Again THANKS ALOT!!!!!

Thank You very much Nahkapohjola for the web page it was extremley useful. I think I found the problem. I just have to perform a few more tests to be sure. Keep up the great job in helping people on this forum. Again THANKS ALOT!!!!!

My pleasure. The info is best used with maintenance manual. Lots of info is missing in manuals, I hope some needs become fulfilled.

Hi I'm new to the forum so please excuse any mistake I may make in the course of this entry. I have a 91 maxima and I was wondering if anyone could help me diagnose an engine problem that just started to occur. It seems that the engine is surging when I give it gas. It will also stall when I depress the throttle.

Also check the Mass Flow Air Sensor. It's right after the air filter before the air goes into the engine. It's a 5 minute check. If the screen is black with soot, it's a good indication that the MFAS is not getting a good reading. For a quick fix, I sprayed windex through the screen to the thin sensor and let it dry. The stalling and surging stopped. But eventually, it will need to be replaced. Its rather expensive at $350.00. It's one of thoes things where it either works or it doesn't.

Keep us posted.

Oh and Nahkapohjola has THE best site and advice for the Maxima of this style engine.

Also check the Mass Flow Air Sensor. It's right after the air filter before the air goes into the engine. It's a 5 minute check. If the screen is black with soot, it's a good indication that the MFAS is not getting a good reading. For a quick fix, I sprayed windex through the screen to the thin sensor and let it dry. The stalling and surging stopped. But eventually, it will need to be replaced. Its rather expensive at $350.00. It's one of thoes things where it either works or it doesn't.

Keep us posted.

Oh and Nahkapohjola has THE best site and advice for the Maxima of this style engine.
Thanks for the information about the Air flow meter. I did check it out and YES it did need to be replaced. The new one does make the car run better. The car however is still running rough. I pulled a code 33 from the computer two months ago and changed my oxygen sensor. Now when I select mode one too check the sensor, because the car is running poorly, the red and geen lights don't blink at all. Can the sensor be bad already. If you have any information that may help please foward it along. Thanks again.

Thanks for the information about the Air flow meter. I did check it out and YES it did need to be replaced. The new one does make the car run better. The car however is still running rough. I pulled a code 33 from the computer two months ago and changed my oxygen sensor. Now when I select mode one too check the sensor, because the car is running poorly, the red and geen lights don't blink at all. Can the sensor be bad already. If you have any information that may help please foward it along. Thanks again.


Double check the gap on your spark plugs. Make sure you use the proper spark plug gap too with the wire at the end, NOT the other kind.
Make sure the wires are good and seat well on the plugs.

What kind of gas are you running?

Did you check your air filter?

Double check the gap on your spark plugs. Make sure you use the proper spark plug gap too with the wire at the end, NOT the other kind.
Make sure the wires are good and seat well on the plugs.

What kind of gas are you running?

Did you check your air filter?
Thanks for the reply. The spark plugs have been changed and all gaps are correct. The wires I have checked with a good ground and they are also fine. The fuel filter filter was my first suspect for the rough running and I changed that as well. I only use premium gas in the car and I just put a half a tank of gas in today to see if that would solve the problem. Air filter is also new. All of this should not however change the reading I get on the computer for the oxygen sensor. Should it ???

When did you change the O2 sensor? It's possible that it could be a bad O2 sensor.


Nahkapohjola, can you shed some light on this?

When did you change the O2 sensor? It's possible that it could be a bad O2 sensor.


Nahkapohjola, can you shed some light on this?
Thanks that was my thought too. I changed the O2 sensor only two months ago about 3,000 kilometer. I can't see it going already. I disconected the sensor today and ran a mode 3 check on the computer and I pulled a code 33 (faulty O2 sensor). That should indicate that the computer is processing information from the O2 sensor. I will check the resistance in the sensor and if thats ok I will try the wiring to the computer. Thanks again for all your help.

Thanks that was my thought too. I changed the O2 sensor only two months ago about 3,000 kilometer. I can't see it going already. I disconected the sensor today and ran a mode 3 check on the computer and I pulled a code 33 (faulty O2 sensor). That should indicate that the computer is processing information from the O2 sensor. I will check the resistance in the sensor and if thats ok I will try the wiring to the computer. Thanks again for all your help.

Aslo, check the connections to the O2 sensor. Make sure the O2 is properly seated. Check for exhaust leaks too. It's possible that some dirt got in between the connectors.

When did you change the O2 sensor? It's possible that it could be a bad O2 sensor.
Nahkapohjola, can you shed some light on this?

Just yesterday I took off exhaust gnd wire beside O2, under car. (my max has one O2). Cleaned, added contact grease. Seems that runs better. However, this is 'feelings' level maintenace result, and no facts on this. (What makes it suspicious, the schematics does not show any grounding for my 3-wire O2 sensor...) Btw I suggest you test with your old O2 if you suspect it. Anyways O2 is inside sealed glass capsule, cannot see how it would fail ever, but still they fail...

If the stutter is only on cold engine, its TPS. After warmup, TPS is not used by engine, but O2, MAF and CamPos sensors give input to ECU. TPS is always used by auto tranny; bad gearchange is indication of soot in TPS...

Then the injectors, but they go one by one, gradually.

Clean TB, IACV.

Have all contacts been cleaned with electronics cleaner, like ECU contacts?

I have tried to put all these my experiences on my web site, check, groundings is very big issue there: all sensor like camshaft pos sensor send warped signal if grounding is bad. Older cars always need some add on gnd wires. Installing them between different objects will never harm.

Distributor gnd is one of those. If not exists, coilpack cracking is typical, not seen. Clean coilpacks, spray with insulator lacquer or replace.

Just yesterday I took off exhaust gnd wire beside O2, under car. (my max has one O2). Cleaned, added contact grease. Seems that runs better. However, this is 'feelings' level maintenace result, and no facts on this. (What makes it suspicious, the schematics does not show any grounding for my 3-wire O2 sensor...) Btw I suggest you test with your old O2 if you suspect it. Anyways O2 is inside sealed glass capsule, cannot see how it would fail ever, but still they fail...

If the stutter is only on cold engine, its TPS. After warmup, TPS is not used by engine, but O2, MAF and CamPos sensors give input to ECU. TPS is always used by auto tranny; bad gearchange is indication of soot in TPS...

Then the injectors, but they go one by one, gradually.

Clean TB, IACV.

Have all contacts been cleaned with electronics cleaner, like ECU contacts?

I have tried to put all these my experiences on my web site, check, groundings is very big issue there: all sensor like camshaft pos sensor send warped signal if grounding is bad. Older cars always need some add on gnd wires. Installing them between different objects will never harm.

Distributor gnd is one of those. If not exists, coilpack cracking is typical, not seen. Clean coilpacks, spray with insulator lacquer or replace.
Hi I would like to THANK all of you that helped me in fixing the problem with my 91 Maxima. I would especially like to thank Nahkapohjola and Poplifedc for there expertise and knowledge with these vehicles. Keep up the good work in this forum helping others and if any one has a problem with there Maxima or any other vehicle please feel free to contact me through this forum. I will do my best to help you locate and fix the problem. P.S. the car need a new air flow meter and also had a vacum leak from one of the hoses just incase you were woundering. THANKS AGAIN!!!

JOHN6602, It's great that you were able to fix your car. The Air Flow Meter is rather expensive. You can order it from rockauto.com. They also have a core return. I got mine from there and my credit card was refunded the core within a month. It is a simple fix and takes all of 10 minutes to remove the old and put in the new.

I would also suggest getting an air intake. I got mine from Cattman.com. HUGE difference in the power at very little cost. If you trace the intake from the throttle body you'll notice how restricted the air flow is. While your at it you might want to clean your throttle body. You can pick up a can at your local auto parts store. Spray and clean, that's all you have to do.

However, Nahkapohjola deserves all the credit. I just happend to go through the same thing your going through at the same time. But Nahkapohjola is THE most knowledgable person on our car so far.

Happy motoring

JOHN6602, It's great that you were able to fix your car. The Air Flow Meter is rather expensive. You can order it from rockauto.com. They also have a core return. I got mine from there and my credit card was refunded the core within a month. It is a simple fix and takes all of 10 minutes to remove the old and put in the new.

I would also suggest getting an air intake. I got mine from Cattman.com. HUGE difference in the power at very little cost. If you trace the intake from the throttle body you'll notice how restricted the air flow is. While your at it you might want to clean your throttle body. You can pick up a can at your local auto parts store. Spray and clean, that's all you have to do.

However, Nahkapohjola deserves all the credit. I just happend to go through the same thing your going through at the same time. But Nahkapohjola is THE most knowledgable person on our car so far.

Happy motoring
Thanks for the info. Poplifedc I will defiantly look into the air intake for my Maxima. A little more horespower is always appreciated. I already purchased a new air flow meter and that did the trick. Keep up the good work in helping others in this forum!!!