3rd time a charm???

[jsprack5]

this is my third attempt at posting this problem, so far no one has replied. I have a 92 SE 5 spd DOHC. sometimes the motor just cuts out (for lack of better words) hard to explain.. its the strangest thing. it happens in all gears. not constantly, but enugh to piss me off. Ill be driving and the rpms will just drop and it will just cut out, and wont go for like 5 seconds. usually it will come right back and be fine for a while, but a couple of times it has stalled (which sucks at 30 mph) but it will start right back up and be fine. Does anyone have any idea what is going on? SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

[BP2K2Max]

you haven't thrown a check engine light?

[Knight4]

Even if you haven't thrown a CEL (Check Engine Light), you might want to pull error codes anyway. My Knock Sensor is bad and causes error codes, but I never get a CEL.

If you don't have a FSM, the Haynes manual will give you a procedure to do this. I don't have either with me today, but could bring them in tomorrow and get that information for you if you still need it.

From maxima.org, I've picked up there might be a number of things causing this...I'm having a very similar problem with my '94SE. The knock sensor is one possibility, but then there's the MAF, temp sensor, O2 sensor, etc., etc. and I'm in the process of elimination on these myself.

Checking the ECU has got to be a good place to start!

[turk66460]

Had the same problem with my other car. I have a 1993 Nissan Maxima SE DOHC. When you drive it for couple minutes it would start to turn off. We thought it was the throttle positioning sensor. Took it to the dealer and it was the Mass Airflow Sensor, now it works like a charm. The dealer wanted $800.00 for the sensor but got it from a junkyard for $40.00 good luck.

[turk66460]

Hey Knight4 i doubt it will be the Knock sensor because if its bad the computer goes into safe mode. For the O2 Sensor it wouldn't stall the car off. I know for sure its the MAF. In my case the check engine light didn't come on. Well Good Luck.

[Knight4]

I've gotten a lot of parts out of salvage yards and truly believe they are a great way to save $$. But for something like the MAF, I'd be leery to do this - how do you know the one you're getting isn't non-functional as well?

You might try the guy over at http://internetautomart.com/ and see what he can do. His prices seems to be a lot better than the dealer price. I don't have any personal experience in dealing with him yet...but he seems to be highly thought of over at maxima.org.

I'd still check the ECU first before replacing parts.

[jsprack5]

thanks everyone!!!

[NetFurie]

Had a similiar problem with an older car. The fuel filter was pretty clogged so sediment would rise and plug the line. After sitting for a bit, the car would start and run for another 20 minutes or so.