1996 Altima-Done All I Could Do-Lost Count Parts Replaced-4 Different Mechanics-Still

[ebedura]

Like I said, I've been to 4 different Mechanics now...Replaced so many parts now I've lost count. I've read every one of the neverending threads on here that relate to the problem I am still having in fixing my girlfriend's 96 Altima GXE. The idle continues still runs irregularly- constantly shifting uncontrollaby-high then low back and forth-going on and on for much longer than ever before-of course, only until the engine eventually dies out. The funny thing is, it just got out of the shop after having the oxygen sensor replaced which was supposed to fix the problem once and for all...having already replaced the distributor-alternator-head gasket-fuel filter-and gave it a tune up. Back when the distributor was bad the car would die out when at a stop-took it to 2 mechanics who couldn't find the problem before taking it to a 3rd who diagnosed the problem immediately after driving it around the block once...but it took 4 tries before finding a good aftermarket distributor. At the time, he told me the oxygen sensor was insignificant and not necessary to fix. But the mechanics my girlfriend took it to went ahead and replaced it and now like I said...it's worse now than ever. Please Help.

[altimaracer]

ok im not sure if this will work but it might , u need to advance the distributor as in moving it forward, loosen the bolts on it just enough to where u can move it back and forth , with the engine on turn it forward and u will be able to hear the difference in the idle , backwards will retard it and the engine will try to cut off, forward it will run smoother , this might be a temporary solution but give it a shot , i had a similar problem and this is what i did and now it runs fine. ONe more thing check for oil in the distributor, its not the distributor that goes bad there is a seal that goes bad and leaks oil into the distributor.

[altimaracer]

it maybe the mass air flow sensor too, try tapping on it or putting one in from the junk yard

[phyxxius]

Originally Posted by altimaracer

it maybe the mass air flow sensor too, try tapping on it or putting one in from the junk yard

TRY YOUR TROTTLE POSITION SENSOR

[phyxxius]

Originally Posted by phyxxius

TRY YOUR TROTTLE POSITION SENSOR

YOU COULD USE YOUR ON BOARD COMPUTER. LET THE CAR TELL YOU WHAT IS WRONG. SOME CODES ARE STORED IN YOUR ECM BUT NO CHECK ENG. LIGHT ALSO IF IT HAD A CODE BEFORE AND YOUR MACH. DID NOT CLEAR IT AFTER REPAIRS IT WILL STILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM

[Skyliner25]

Wow I'm glad I'm not the only one having this same exact problem. My car constantly idles like how you describe and I replaced the MAFS which was bad and now it idles crappily but doesn't turn out. Checked to see what's wrong with it now and apparently it's suppose to be the Knock Sensor.

I have a knock sensor but for some reason to have it installed they need to put on new gaskets to or something and the price of putting it on is from 350-450 so far from estimates. Before I pay for this I want to make sure it IS the final problem. So if anyone wants to comment on my problem as well please do.

And ebedura if you want to swap info about the problem until one of us get it fixed you can email me here: [email protected] heh, I'm in IL too.

Well anyway one last thing I'm saying is that I'm really regretting buying an altima =/ I thought everything Nissan was good =(

[dw4yn3]

I was having a simliar problem to your, after I replaced park plugs (one of which had a small undetectable hole in it) fixed the problem and runs.

[phyxxius]

well found out what mine is im missing 2nd gear and the comp. is holding it in 1st until it can hit 3rd is common in apparently itis common in the altimas.

[phyxxius]

how i found this out i manually shifted it from 1st up . sometmes it would pick up 2nd but how to really tell is down shift . mine when i down shift i can hit accel. and nothing

[altimavenky]

Hi,
I too had exactly the same problems when I bought the car it was dead.
1)Changed the fuel pump worked fine for a day and then car went dead when slowed down.
2)Checked again on the computer could not get it fixed .Car started and went dead again when stopped.
3)Finally got to the main problem the Fuel tank was full of dirt and there was no proper flow of fuel and that was the reason for the car going dead. Got it cleaned and car is running fine. Drove 15k miles after getting it fixed no problems.
4)While it was fixed I think they had messed up with the intake.Could not be diagonised .They were diagonising it as a bad fuel injector as I had a miss the rpm would never be constant when idle .Got the actual problem diagonised which was a leak in the intake. Changed the gasket and now it is in excellent condition.
Let me know if this is of any help to you.You can try this out as it doesnt cost you much.

Thanks,
Venky

[jserrano]

I feel the pain. I too am having a similar problem but mine seems intermittent. It will idle fine for a while then "out of the blue" it'll idle up and down about 75 rpm from base idle. Then all of a sudden it will be back to normal. That drives me crazy because it doesn't give me much time to test much. I know my ignition timing becomes erratic and I can see the timing dropout on the CONSULT as well when this occurs.

The intake gasket is on the back of my mind even though the vacuum is sitting very solid around 21 in. Hg.

But I am determined to find this problem no matter how long it takes me...