Nisstech,
I had posted about this problem this over 6 months ago, the problem
had gone away for a while, but has resurfaced.. you had said at the
time you knew what the fix was... can you help a guy out!!
Original thread can be found at:
"http://tinyurl.com/3eaw2"
OR
"http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&threadm=f24567af.030
8280721.578e2482%40posting.google.com&rnum=8&prev=/&frame=on"
Friends 97 GXE, 80k:
While pulling into a driveway, or reversing slowly and then taking
your foot of the accelerator to tap the brakes, the car will
intermittently stall. Sometimes it is hard to get started again, i.e.
will start, but stall immediately. It doesn't happen at speeds over
30mph - and seems to only happen when the accelerator is released i.e.
either to coast or to brake.
Here are some data points.
1) I cleaned the throttle-body (it wasn't very dirty when I checked it
- I but I cleaned it anyway).
2) I Replaced PCV valve
3) I Checked air-filter (was clean)
4) I Checked basic operation of IACV - I had the car idling (at about
650-700 RPM - auto tranny) - set fan to high with A/C on - the idle
dipped and then climbed back up to about 750 and held steady.
Switched off A/C - idle dropped to 650 and stayed steady. (Repeated
this several times - could not get the car to stall).
5) He had a 60k service done at a dealer - new plugs, new fuel
filter... may have done radiator/tranny fluid changes - but I don't
think that is relevant for what is going on here.
6) He ran a bottle of techron through the fuel system.
The car ran fine for about 6 months and now the problem has
resurfaced...
What do you all think?
Roger - 19 May 2004 02:59 GMT
My bet would be to replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor and possibly the Coolant
Temp Sensor (unlikely but cheap $25). The MAF new is about 400-500$,
remanufactured about $250
> Nisstech,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> OR
"http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&threadm=f24567a
f.0308280721.578e2482%40posting.google.com&rnum=8&prev=/&frame=on"
> Friends 97 GXE, 80k:
>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> What do you all think?
Nirav J. Modi - 19 May 2004 15:32 GMT
> My bet would be to replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor and possibly the Coolant
> Temp Sensor (unlikely but cheap $25). The MAF new is about 400-500$,
> remanufactured about $250
Roger - thanks for the suggestions... my buddy just emailed me this
morning with some more behavior/symptoms:
"The car did stall on me yesterday and gave some trouble again this
morning.
It happens either when I am just cruising (20- 40) without my foot on
the accelerator or the break and then when I pressed the acc. then it
"stuttured". It also happened when I was at a stop sign and as soon
as I hit the accelerator it "stuttered". Also, as I was approaching
the stop sign and slowing down to 0 miles, it stalled after which it
stuttered as I mention above."
Does this still map to possible ECTS or MAF issues?
Roger - 19 May 2004 21:31 GMT
I hope I'm not wrong but I had to replace my MAF Sensor on my 97 Maxima
because it was going looney on me. The car would surge when I wasn't even
pressing the accelerator and acted like I was giving it gas when I really
wasn't when approaching to stop. The Check Engine light NEVER came on.
Your problems sound are like the inverse of these. I did some research
online and Maximas have had plenty of MAF sensor problems. I previously had
a problem with the car dying when you tried to start it cold. It would start
and the RPMS would crash to 0 in a couple of seconds if you weren't giving
it gas. When warm, it would be fine. That got fixed by the coolant temp
sensor. Honestly I think it is the MAF, and it's easy to replace yourself.
If you take it to a mechanic they will do some part swapping at your expense
til they hit the problem, probably will start at a full tuneup first ;)
I hope this helps, but I bet it's one of those damn sensors!
> > My bet would be to replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor and possibly the Coolant
> > Temp Sensor (unlikely but cheap $25). The MAF new is about 400-500$,
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Does this still map to possible ECTS or MAF issues?
filesiteguy - 20 May 2004 05:50 GMT
> I previously had
>a problem with the car dying when you tried to start it cold. It would start
>and the RPMS would crash to 0 in a couple of seconds if you weren't giving
>it gas. When warm, it would be fine. That got fixed by the coolant temp
>sensor. Honestly I think it is the MAF, and it's easy to replace yourself.
Oh wierd! I have had the EXACT same problem. Often, I'll start it
when cold (totally freezing, like around 50 or 60 degrees) and it will
die if I don't give it gas.
I had thought it a FI issue, and recently put some Sea Foam in the
tank. I also recently had my fuel filter replaced (at 60,000 miles).
How does one check for the coolant temp sensor? The only thing I see
in my Haynes manual is the coolant thermostat. They say to put it in
some water and check when it opens.
(I did notice also that the picture of the Maxima engine has a Delco
battery. Too funny!)
Roger - 20 May 2004 08:59 GMT
Testing it probably isn't worth the trouble. It's $25 at autozone and
probably in stock. They go bad so often they should be replaced after this
many years anyway. It's located on the drivers side of the engine on the
side near the front under that black wire bundle IIRC. Just put a long
socket and extension and unscrew it. Make sure the engine is cool or you'll
have coolant shooting out. If you feel like testing it, buy a good repair
manual somewhere.
If you buy the new part, you'll find it easier.
> > I previously had
> >a problem with the car dying when you tried to start it cold. It would start
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> (I did notice also that the picture of the Maxima engine has a Delco
> battery. Too funny!)
Steve T - 20 May 2004 02:55 GMT
> Does this still map to possible ECTS or MAF issues?
Sounds like MAF to me and the ONLY reliable test is to replace with a kinown
good unit. Many times flakey ones will set no codes nor will they fail any
of the "tests" in the factory manual.

Signature
Steve
http://www.atlantaracing.com
Nirav J. Modi - 25 May 2004 20:07 GMT
UPDATE:
The dealer had the car for 3 days - stalled a few times on them.
Their diagnosis was that the base idle was too low - so they reset
that and said it should take care of the problem... I'm not
convinced... time will tell.
Thanks for all your help.
Nirav