nuch

Hey guys.

I have done multiple searches throughout torontomaxima.com and maxima.org and have found several people with the same issue as me but there doesn't seem to be a solution for the problem.

PROBLEM:

While in Park or Neutral the car idles at 1500rpm.

When it is in DRIVE it idles fine at around 900rpm.

Now the problem has evolved to:

In Neutral or Park the idle bounces in a constant cycle from 1500rpm to 2000rpm.... 1500 ... 2000.... 1500... 2000 (you get the picture)

In DRIVE it idles like a purring kitten at 900rpm.

My first guess was the IACV, the stepper motor can possibly cycle this way... and it may be controled by NEUTRAL/PARK type settings.

I don't want to start buying parts and throwing them at the car. Someone must have had this problem and found a solution. As it seems to be QUITE common on the 3rd gens.

Its a 92 GXE....

Let me know what you guys think

Thanks
Mark

jaguax

iTrader: (1)

Your idle is a bit high don't ya think. Normal is 700-750 in drive. And it should only be 1500 in park or neutral when it is a cold start... After it warms it should be around 1000 or less

rrrfoma

I'm not in your "club" yet - I still get nice 600rpm when warm and 1200-1300 when cold.

My guess would be something wrong with the computer. Did you try to read a code? Other then that I can't really think of anything else. Sorry.

AscendantMax

iTrader: (7)

hence he's asking this question!

but back on topic. did you try adjusting the idle?

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

First try to adjust your Hot idle (the 900 one) down to factory specs 700-750.
Then find out what cold idle is.
BTW there is a procedure for testing the IAC just can't recall it

nuch

So I adjust the hot idle with the "screw" on the throttle body that I always hear of?

Is this screw easy to find when I pop the hood? (I think I recall reading its a black screw on the throttle body, or near the IACV)

Only had the car for 3 days, want to get to the bottom of this ASAP.

I will adjust and get back to you guys....

Keep anymore suggestions coming however.

nuch

Small update.

Drove the car today, it started to do the 1500rpm-2000rpm bouncing thing.

Then once it warmed up, it went down to 1000rpm in Neutral/Park.

Its around 800rpm in drive.

So the problem is still there, but it seems that my idle is set correctly. (close enough)

broncoguy

So once it warms up, it doesn't bounce anymore? Solid at 1000 rpm in neutral/park? If so, I am still leaning toward IACV.

rcy

Nissan TSB...is it possible that this is similar to what you're experiencing?

1/1
Classification: Reference: Date:
EC94-014 NTB94-085 August 24, 1994
MAXIMA IDLE FLUCTUATION
This bulletin supersedes NTB90-073 / EC90-007
APPLIED VEHICLE(S): 1989-93 Maxima (J30)
SERVICE INFORMATION
This bulletin is intended to assist in diagnosis and repair if a customer complains of the
following idle related symptoms:
• Idle speed drops below 750 rpm.
• The ECCS attempts to recover to 750 rpm and "overshoots" to about 1000 rpm.
• After "overshooting", the idle speed will slowly drop to 750 rpm.
• Idle fluctuates (in Neutral or Park) or the engine speed drops below 750 rpm (in Drive)
when coming to a stop.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
This incident may be caused by "turbulent" air flow which creates an inaccurate reading
from the air flow meter and usually occurs after the vehicle reaches operating temperature.
A related cause for this "turbulent" air flow may be an uneven application of viscous oil on
the air filter (by the filter manufacturer) which may be related to the use of a non-genuine
Nissan air filter element. Installing a Genuine Nissan air filter may improve or resolve the
incident. Refer to the MA/ENGINE MAINTENANCE/Changing Air Cleaner Filter section of
the appropriate service manual for additional service information.
This incident can be identified by lifting the air filter top away from the air filter box
assembly and checking to see if the idle fluctuation no longer occurs. A countermeasure
Air Cleaner Box Assembly (incorporating a different shaped air funnel) is available if
installation of a genuine air filter doesn't resolve the incident:
PARTS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION PART #/PFP
Air cleaner assy. 16500-85E01

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

Hmmm... I wonder if there's any HP to be gained with that upgraded box

94MAXGXE

I it were my car, the first thing iI would be looking for is a vacume leak...........

broncoguy

I thought about a vacuum leak as well, but I think it wouldn't go up and down like that unless it was leaking and then re-sealing again...seems like a vacuum leak would cause rough running at idle, whether in park or not. Once the RPMs were up, you wouldn't notice it as much.

nuch

thats interesting about the re-engineered better sealing air box. However my idle never dips below 750 EVER, it has never felt like the car is about to stall, infact its been the opposite. The idle is either too fluctuating at speeds way above normal levels (i.e. bouncing around from 1500-2000rpm) or its around normal at 700-900 warmed up or 1000rpm when cold while in DRIVE or 900-1000rpm when cold in drive....

djace1

I had a similar problem. Turns out my ECU went bad. Swapped it out and haven't had that problem since. You should be able to get one relatively cheap. I'm not saying this is your problem but the symptons are the same.
My only problem now is with my tranny. Slipping in second and overdrive. It happened from one trip to the next.

nuch

Please describe your problem in your own words. I am curious and trying to compile a list of IDLE issues, hopefully to come up with a VFAQ for idle issues for the 93 max....

djace1

In June/July I had my tranny swapped out. After the job, the car's idle was high. Between 1500 and 2000 rpm. I did some checking and found that one of my injectors wasn't firing. I made sure there was spark and compression. At the same time the injector wasn't firing, the idle was high as I said. The ECU some was sending a reversed polarity signal to the injector. I ran the self check on the ECU and it showed no errors. But it was bad. Anyway, I bought an ECU for $35 and haven't had the problem since.
BTW, mine is an 89.
I hope this helps in some way.

nuch

Wow that must have been a pain to diagnose. Another mystery problem it seemed you had.

Glad you got it solved, wish the same for me, most likely I will swap 30 billion parts into the thing, and the problem won't be fixed, then one day miraculously the problem will fix itself, seems to happen with all my cars. As if they are just f#ckin with me or something

Maybe I will take some pictures as well.....