Okay, I have a 1990 Maxima SE. In the last week, I have been having some problems with acceleration, stuttering like. And in the last couple days, it has had a "jittery" idle and stalled on occasion at stoplights. (which is a hassle, because the car is an automatic) I thought it was the Oxygen sensor, but then I started to question my diagnosis because I don't remember the O2 sensor effecting the idle before I replaced it on my 300zx.

Any help is appriciated... thanks!

 

it has been known too cause running problems before.

 

So what are you saying? The oxygen sensor is the cause of the stalling, also?

 

in some cases

 

Well, if it means anything, I filled it up with Premium when I went out just now and it seems to run a lot better. I'm sure this is only a temporary solution so I would like to know what I can do to fix my Max.

 

It could be a bad fuel injector or two, spark plug wires, cap and rotor, or a few other things. If it starts idling "jittery" you can leave the car running and unplug the spark plug wires one at a time to try to narrow the problem down to one or two cylinders. If you pull the wire and there is a difference, the cylinder is okay, if it makes no difference, it is a dead cylinder and that could mean a bad fuel injector or plug wire. Just don't get zapped when doing this.

 

id say check ur maf sensor.. i churped 3rd the other day and my intaake came lose..check the connections to the maf and it currency..

 

they covered most of the common things.

I just wanted to point out that your car is "Aztec Red" and not "Bright Red" like it says in your profile. Just wanted to clear that up

 

clean throttle body if you havent alrady. does it seem to happen sort of randomly, only hot or coldt/while its raining/etc, or not enough experience with the probelm yet to say?

 

Hmm I'd say it does it more after it has been running a bit. I can't believe how horrible the car is, I inherited it from my mom as a mode of transportation until I get another job, and it just seems like in the last 6 months the car has gone downhill. All starting with a small fenderbender/hit and run. Never caught the guy, either.

Sorry about the color thing, I don't browse the boards that often. I'll change it soon.

 

Hope this helps!

as quoted by Identifix:

Fast Fixes: Misfires, Bucks Or Jerks Under Load

Likely Causes

Spark Plugs -
Worn, faulty, fouled or incorrect spark plugs can cause the engine to misfire, buck or jerk under load.

Spark Plug Wires -
Leaking or high resistance spark plug wires can cause the engine to misfire, buck or jerk under load.

Distributor Cap and Rotor -
Weak or erratic spark output from a faulty distributor cap and rotor can cause the engine to misfire, buck or jerk under load.

Ignition Coil -
Weak or erratic spark output from a faulty ignition coil can cause the engine to misfire, buck or jerk under load.

Overlooked Causes

Intake Air Boot -
A cracked, torn or split intake air boot between the mass air flow (MAF) sensor and the throttle chamber or loose clamps for the intake air boot can cause the engine to misfire, buck or jerk under load.

Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) -
Erratic signals from a defective TPS can cause the engine to misfire, buck or jerk under load.

Copyright ©2004 Automotive Information Systems, Inc.

 

CHANGE YOUR O2!!!!

if it's better when it's cold i can almost bet it's O2.

 

yeah i feel ya man, my luck with my maximas been screwing me hardcore lately too. in fact im suffering a very similar problem to yours this very second, it was very on and off at first but evnetually started happening consistently with some pattern (usually ran fine cold), but now im not so sure about the fine while cold part cause these last couple days its been running like crap cold too. Does your car always start back up perfectly after stalling? and can you keep it from stalling by keeping your foot on gas to level out RPM? if so it sounds like mine. I've also suspected O2 sensor but im not so sure, from what ive read it could be so many things. ive been giving the problem minimal attention since it started, done a few minor things that all seemed to help.. for about a day. its getting worse now and i have the day off tomorrow so ill be trying to solve this thing once and for all, if i figure anything out ill let ya know

 

Check your vacuum hoses around.
You might have got a vacuum leak.
This happened to my Z31 before and that was
how i fixed it.
good luck.

 

When the car is cold (ie not up to operating temp) the computer is in open loop mode, and will dump a predefined amount of fuel into the motor (ie your o2 sensor has no effect) if it runs like crap cold, its not a sensor its a mechanical problem (ie leak somewhere or plugs). If its fine until its warmed up your o2 sensor is a likely problem.