I searched the archives and found nothing on this, so here we go.

1989 Nissan Maxima SE 5 Speed with 143k miles.

It runs well while driving with seemingly no loss of power, but it idles rough at idle. It will idle at about 700-800 then drop to 500 then shoot up to 1200 RPM, then go back to 700-800. I took it to a repair shop and of course it wouldn't do it for them, but it does this pretty consistently.

Another "problem" I am having is when I start it up I hear this "whurr, whurr, whurr" coming from the clutch area. It sounds like something is spinning and not catching. When I put it in first and go the sound goes away. Is this a fly wheel problem maybe?

Even with all these problems the car runs fine for it's age. It has all the usual Maxima problems (windows don't work worth a D$$$, temp gauge doesn't work, antenna doesn't work, paint peeling off the front bumper, the whole stereo has been replaced...), but besides those, it is a good car. I am still getting 20-25 MPG out of it too. What do you think I need? It needs a tune up (wires, spark plugs and such), but I have recently replaced the air filter (K&N drop in) and the fuel filter. Any ideas?

 

New problem today, now it is idling at 1500, argh!

 

I have recently been going through the idle thing as well. Mine is at 1500 RPM a lot of the time. I read through some searching that maybe cleaning the throttle body will help. I am going to do that very soon and will let you know if it helps. I drive an 89 also, w/ 116K

Bryan

 

For the both of you, it sounds like your TPS. You could also simply try adjusting it. You loosen the two screws and rotate it slightly clockwise.

Another thing to check (which is cheap) is the temperature sensor, you could simply clean the connector and sensor (they are know to corrode), or just go ahead and replace it since its only like $20.

 

I also have that "whurr, whurr, whurr" sound coming from somewhere near the pedals or up front when I start the car. I don't think it's a flywheel problem cause I have and auto and it does it. Anybody know what that is?

 

Got the TB cleaned this weekend and also did the plug while I was at it (man, they were pretty bad). It has a much smoother idle, but I haven't noticed much more power. The TB was DIRTY! On the metal pipe in front of the TB there was sludge at the bottom of it. Is this normal or was my car just that dirty? Somebody needs to do a good FAQ on this with pictures of a 3rd gen VE. The only one on the net I found was on a NX2000 and it TOTALLY different from what I was working on. That said, it was very easy to do and only took my like an hour.