3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994) Learn more about the 3rd Generation Maxima here.

Running Rough

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 01:17 PM
  #1  
jaguax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 804
Running Rough

Curses! My reliability streak has just been broken.

I've been driving around yesterday with no probs, but after returning to the car from a store and restarting the car it was running rough. Not that rough as if one of the cylinders wasn't firing, but rough enough that you know that something is definitely wrong. Then I noticed that the check engine light is on. Cool.

I managed to make it home, it was a little smoother at higher RPMs naturally, and when sitting at stop lights I felt like I was in a boat. But it never really tried to stall out so I can't complain.

Anywho, what can this be? The O2 sensor/spark plugs/wires were replaced less than a year and a half ago with a brand new NGK ones so I don't think it's that. Can it be a fuel injector thing? I'm afraid of an expensive repair. Any ideas guys?

Thanks a lot.
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 01:32 PM
  #2  
red-line-racer's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 214
could be mostly maf or disconnect each plug to see which one dose not react
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 02:29 PM
  #3  
Greeny's Avatar
¯\(°_o)/¯
iTrader: (43)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 64,424
From: Tunasea
Since your engine light came on it has most likely stored a code...


The ecm is located behind this panel on the passenger side..pull the panel off to access the ecm..

To access the codes Turn the screw using a screwdriver, turn the switch fully clockwise. then look in the little window beside the screw for the flashes..
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 05:06 PM
  #4  
internetautomar's Avatar
mod or sell?
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,760
From: Skokie (look it up)
I'm going to guess injector, because it sounds like what mine did when I had a bad injector or 2 or 3 ....

but you are lucky that it set a code so get the code and START from there
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 05:10 PM
  #5  
jaguax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 804
Originally Posted by red-line-racer
could be mostly maf or disconnect each plug to see which one dose not react
So you are saying that one of the pistons might not be firing? Wouldn't that make it REALLY rough? I mean it's rough... but not ridiculously rough. I'll probably try it anyway though tomorrow.

Suppose I pull one though and it doesn't react like you said... What does that mean? Bad fuel injector?

I might try that ECM thing too if I don't figure it out.

Thanks for the help so far.

edit - Just read your post internetautomar, how costly of a repair is it to replace the fuel injector?
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 05:13 PM
  #6  
internetautomar's Avatar
mod or sell?
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,760
From: Skokie (look it up)
depends on who is doing it.
if you do it, it's not terrible becuase it'll be all part cost
if you are paying someone to do it, get out the vaseline
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 07:32 PM
  #7  
wolfpack_5150's Avatar
Apple Pie Monster
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 200
From: cali
Im with Internetautomar here, I have some missing that can merge into flat out
stumbling on its face. Maybe I'll get lucky and its just the harness. I know if I wiggle the connector near the injector the idle gets better/worse. Check that out urself, ya never know. The fix would be to trace down the break in the wire and splice right? (for the damaged harness).
Friggin injectors vary quite a bit in price, I hope I dont have a bad one and have to cross my fingers and hope I get a quality replacement. Can anyone suggest a good brand, that they have experience with since this route may be the one we have to travel?
TIA
~Brock
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 10:52 PM
  #8  
internetautomar's Avatar
mod or sell?
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,760
From: Skokie (look it up)
Originally Posted by wolfpack_5150
<snip>
Friggin injectors vary quite a bit in price, I hope I dont have a bad one and have to cross my fingers and hope I get a quality replacement. Can anyone suggest a good brand, that they have experience with since this route may be the one we have to travel?
TIA
~Brock
1. only buy new
2. I'd recommend Bosch as they were the original manufacturer and have applied updates to certain part #s
Old Jan 2, 2006 | 09:27 PM
  #9  
wawa92gxe's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 116
What about the python ones you carry? I am also looking for injectors.
Thanks.
Denga
Old Jan 3, 2006 | 06:33 AM
  #10  
internetautomar's Avatar
mod or sell?
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,760
From: Skokie (look it up)
the Pythons are new but they made their own casting for it and I haven't sold any yet to be able to comment ontheir quality
Old Jan 3, 2006 | 10:09 AM
  #11  
Alex_V
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
buy new, they lasted 15years and the new ones will probably last the same. Plus if you sell the car, tell them its a bosch and will last another 10 years.

~Alex
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 04:47 PM
  #12  
cph81's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 26
If I have to replace a fuel injector, is there any gasket on the intake manifold??
Where can I get it if I need to? How much? Thank you.
Old Jan 4, 2006 | 05:27 PM
  #13  
internetautomar's Avatar
mod or sell?
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,760
From: Skokie (look it up)
yes there is a gasket
http://internetautomart.com/maxima/3rdgen/FI.html
$10
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
captchaos
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
17
Mar 15, 2016 12:18 PM
JoshG
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
51
Sep 21, 2015 10:41 PM
RWCreative
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
9
Sep 21, 2015 11:01 AM
conansriver
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
0
Sep 11, 2015 10:26 AM
ballerchris510
3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994)
9
Sep 10, 2015 09:35 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:37 AM.