I still have my 85 maxima and i recently had some trouble.. the idle is very very rough ..
And the engine is getting WAY too much gas....plugs smell like gas.. and some is coming out of the exhaust ...

I'm almost sure it's the Mass AirFlow sensor ..
Can anyone tell me where I can hook up a scanner on an 85 max to see if i can pull any codes ?

Where is the ECU anyway ..


Ant

 

on my 88 max it is under the right side of dash. right next to the fuse box. just get under there with a flashlighht and you will see packed of wires with a connector on the end.

 

Sounds like the mass air flow sensor.
Disconnect the mass air flow sensor while the engine is running and see if the idle speed changes or if the engine dies out. If the engine dies out more than likely the mass air flow sensor is going out and just to let you know that sensor is pretty costly.

Post your diagnosis... any further questions?

 

Just thinking about another diagnosis...
Has your Maxima had it's fuel injector recall done?
Check with your local Nissan dealer to see if your VIN number has had the update done...if not take it in for a free fix...that's a new set of injectors, fuel filter, fuel rail, hoses, and new wire harness...done for free.

Post your diagnosis....

 

I have been working on the car this week. I have changed the MAF and fuel filter. The car has already had the injectors changed from the recall. When i start the car the idle is still very rough. However when it warms up a bit the idle gets a little better then rises to about 900 to 1000 rpm. When I put the car into Reverse or drive with my foot on the brake the car shudders and almost shuts off. I am thinking at this point that it might be the catalytic converter.

Ant

 

Try cleaning your throttle body and the vacuum ports that run into it. Also consider inspecting your EGR valve, O2 sensor, CHTS (cylinder head temp sensor) and air regulator. If you don't have a FSM now get one they are only like $30-35 for 85-88 maxima's I believe.

 

i cleaned out the throttle body today and also a lot of vacuum hoses that are connected to the intake manifold. The car is still the same. When it is cold it shudders and almost shuts off. when it warms up a bit the rpms rise to 1K. The next things to check are the EGR valve and the catalytic converter.

Nismo87SE: is the air regulator the same thing as the MAF ? and what is am FSM ?

Anything else i should check
Thanks

Ant