MaximaFan4140

ok heres my dilemma...just recently did a transmission swap on my 96 gxe to get it ready to sell...nothing on the motor was touched other than pulling out axles to line up transmission...motor ran just fine before swap...now all of a sudden itll crank but wont run...brand new spark plugs, coil packs, starter and battery, also ignition switch...im lost because I tested for vacuum leaks, its getting spark and fuel...any ideas on where to test next cuz im lost on this one...never had any cranking issues with this car till now.

n1ssan4eva

Did you sand back where the engine and transmission meet?... if not that might be your problem. I had the same issue when i switched out my motor, it will crank but wont start, or you will have to crank it a few times before it start I don't know why nissan made it a major grounding point.

MaximaFan4140

no I didn't do that because I had to swap another transmission earlier this year but found out it was bad after installing it and trying to drive it but it cranked up just fine with no sanding but why is this one doing the opposite...

MaximaFan4140

Anyone else??? Also im about to purchase the crankshaft position sensor and cam sensor to replace and they aren't cheap...don't wanna replace anything else that may not be the cause of my problem.

Alaskus

Any cel codes?

I put the sensor between the trans and lower oil pan on wrong (little metal piece under -not over) and would crank and not turn over all day. Had a code though.

Double check all your wires/grounds to be sure.

MaximaFan4140

Ok ill check on that first thing in the morning but its not throwing any codes at all..all grounds are good and cleaned also. What sensor are u talking about?

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Since you didn't clean the bell housing, more than likely it's the tranny ground(s). It'll cost next to nothing in wire, and only 20 minutes of your time. Run a ground from each side of the trans bell housing to the battery. Try this first before you go replacing parts. This problem is somewhat common around here.

MaximaFan4140

Which bolts do you recommend I use for those grounds or does it not matter?

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

It doesn't matter. And the gauge of the wire doesn't really matter for this test. My friend used some old 20 gauge wire he found laying around the house, and it solved his problem. 5 years later, he still has the same lame wiring in his Max and it still starts right up. I hope this easy fix is your solution too.

MaximaFan4140

I hope so too because those sensors aren't cheap and im kinda lost as to which sensors need to be replaced...side or front crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor?? Plus im ready to get this Maxima out my hair and get me a SE version..if not atleast a GLE lol

MaximaFan4140

Just put in brand new ckps(Ref) side cuz it threw a 0407 code...car finally cranks...now its throwing 0304..knock sensor and the 0407 code still but cranks...just runs rough...wtf am I doing wrong?

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Clear the codes and try again. So it starts every time now? just runs rough?

MaximaFan4140

Not everytime...I have to give it some gas to crank and it idles fine for awhile but after giving it some gas it wants to try and stall sometimes its giving me more codes now also...knock sensor, both O2 sensors and the crankshaft sensor...if im correct I turn the ecu **** clockwise, hold for 2 secs then counterclockwise, hold for 2 secs twice to reset ecu correct?

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Yes, that's how you read and clear codes with the ol' screwdriver method.
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/ecu.html

Have you double and triple checked all your work? Still have the old tranny? If so, swap all sensors as a quick test.

MaximaFan4140

Yea I still have it...all the harnesses I see on it are permanently connected...or could I be wrong?

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Disregard my last post. I was thinking of something else.

Did you do any work from above during the tranny swap? Forget to possibly plug something back in like the MAF?

Try running the ground wires I suggested?

MaximaFan4140

All harnesses from the air box assembly were plugged back in...I labelled everything I disconnected seeing as this was like my 3rd tranny swap in my life Lol but I'm doing the grounds tomorrow...I'm a big audio guy so I always do bigger ground wires.

MaximaFan4140

So the cars running now...shes idling smooth at 650-700rpms but when I put it in gear she drops to about 500rpms which to me feels as if she wants to stall...she hasn't yet but I don't wanna run the risk of it doing so...is this normal? Also after leaving both battery terminals disconnected overnight I came back out and she fired up with a lil bit of gas but runs...doing grounds today seeing as it was hot as the devils toe nails here yesterday and im working on it outside lol

MaximaFan4140

Car only cranks while pumping gas...runs and idles smooth at 650-700rpms...in gear it drops to 500rpms...acceleration is delayed and sluggish...knock sensor and crankshaft position sensor code even tho ckps was just replaced 2 days ago??? What am I doing wrong here...added 2 extra tranny bolt grounds and same issue?

The Wizard

iTrader: (43)

Sounds like your FPR or fuel pump is shot. or maybe the MAF. Must be a strange coincidence that something failed at the same time as the tranny swap? Your symptoms don't correspond with a trans swap. A no start, yes. But these symptoms are weird. Kind of sounds like your Max is in limp mode.

Are you sure you retraced every step? Have appropriate NGK spark plugs in there? Can you get over 2500rpms?

MaximaFan4140

Well let me rephrase the car will only crank if im pumping the gas...once its running...it idles and runs fine just a bit sluggish with acceleration, yes I can go over 2500rpms... as far as spark plugs go I have to double check but im 90% sure they are NGK. Why would the car go in limp mode? how do I get it out of limp mode? From searching the forum...ive heard camshaft position sensor can cause some of my problems but no code is being thrown for it and im stumped as to still having a ckps code even tho its a brand new sensor in it?