2000 Maxima dies when I put it in gear

[2000nissanmaxima]

Hello,

I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima with around 90,000 miles. For a few weeks now, when I start the car first thing in the morning (or after it has been parked all day), it starts just fine, but as soon as I put it in gear, it either dies or it almost dies. If I give it gas for 5 or 10 seconds before I put it in gear, I normally have no problems. But if I give it gas for only a second or 2 before putting it in gear, it acts like it's going to die as soon as I let up on the gas pedal. I was having a similar problem about 5 months ago - the only difference was that at that time, the service engine light was on and the car died every single time I put it in gear, whether the engine was cold or not. The mechanic said it was an oxygen sensor problem. He replaced it, and that didn't fix the problem. Next he said it was a mass airflow sensor problem. He replaced it, and that did fix it. What do you guys think? Is my mass airflow sensor going bad again (after only 5 months of use)? Or is this a normal thing to happen to a car with 90,000 miles when the engine is cold? If I can keep giving it gas for 5-10 seconds to avoid the problem, then wonderful. But if this sounds serious, I don't want to let it go and keep getting worse. Thanks!

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by 2000nissanmaxima

Hello,

I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima with around 90,000 miles. For a few weeks now, when I start the car first thing in the morning (or after it has been parked all day), it starts just fine, but as soon as I put it in gear, it either dies or it almost dies. If I give it gas for 5 or 10 seconds before I put it in gear, I normally have no problems. But if I give it gas for only a second or 2 before putting it in gear, it acts like it's going to die as soon as I let up on the gas pedal. I was having a similar problem about 5 months ago - the only difference was that at that time, the service engine light was on and the car died every single time I put it in gear, whether the engine was cold or not. The mechanic said it was an oxygen sensor problem. He replaced it, and that didn't fix the problem. Next he said it was a mass airflow sensor problem. He replaced it, and that did fix it. What do you guys think? Is my mass airflow sensor going bad again (after only 5 months of use)? Or is this a normal thing to happen to a car with 90,000 miles when the engine is cold? If I can keep giving it gas for 5-10 seconds to avoid the problem, then wonderful. But if this sounds serious, I don't want to let it go and keep getting worse. Thanks!

What is normal? even new cars go kaputt.

Engine lacks pwr. Are ignition coils ok? If they're cracked and leak, pwr is on the edge.

Throttle pos sensor can have intermittent problems. How about if MAF has been ok all the time, but TPS is playing games? Anyways relatively cheap to change. The O2 sensor comes to picture only after warmup period; when cold, ECU controls engine based on MAF, Tachometer, TPS. (tacho seldom breaks).

When u have the fault on, disconnect TPS connectors one at the time. The ECU now drops into safe mode (2000rpm limit), but the gearchange dying will wanish if TPS is the culprit. Then connect back. ECU reset can be done by taking batt cable off for a moment, if any lights do come on.

Or just go and ask new TPS; two screws and few minutes.

The possibilities list is long, but I think those are on top.

[infinman]

Correction:ECM during cold running{open loop} relies heavily on TPS signal, coolant temp. signal, and O2 sensor signals before going into closed loop.No OBD11 ECM goes into closed loop operation until a certain amount of O2 crossover counts.{cycles above and below 5oomv.}

[lizamae]

Hello,

I was wondering what finally worked for you.

[BeZerK2112]

Most likely not going to get an answer. This post is almost 3 years old. If your haveing a problem please post it in a new thead. Thanks