94 GXE engine staling
10-22-2001, 03:39 PM
#1
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94 GXE engine staling
I have a 94 Maxima GXE with 84,000 miles on it. I love this car, but it really bothers me recently. The engine vebrates when running in highway. The harder the gas was pushed, the stronger the vibration I can feel. Sometimes the engine just cuts off at stop and go conditions. Although the car can be restarted right away, it generally has rough idel. The check engine light was on once, and the code refered to the fuel pump. Have it replaced, the problem is still there. The timing belt was changed at 70,000 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
10-22-2001, 04:14 PM
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2001
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Re: 94 GXE engine staling
Originally posted by Sagan
I have a 94 Maxima GXE with 84,000 miles on it. I love this car, but it really bothers me recently. The engine vebrates when running in highway. The harder the gas was pushed, the stronger the vibration I can feel. Sometimes the engine just cuts off at stop and go conditions. Although the car can be restarted right away, it generally has rough idel. The check engine light was on once, and the code refered to the fuel pump. Have it replaced, the problem is still there. The timing belt was changed at 70,000 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
I have a 94 Maxima GXE with 84,000 miles on it. I love this car, but it really bothers me recently. The engine vebrates when running in highway. The harder the gas was pushed, the stronger the vibration I can feel. Sometimes the engine just cuts off at stop and go conditions. Although the car can be restarted right away, it generally has rough idel. The check engine light was on once, and the code refered to the fuel pump. Have it replaced, the problem is still there. The timing belt was changed at 70,000 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
1) Use a mechanic's stepthoscope to listen to your fuel injectors - they should all have even and consistant "clicks" across the board.
2) Use a timing light to confirm that all of your cylinders are firing and firing properly.
Hopefully that will help get you in the right direction by narrowing down some potential issues.
Good luck,
10-22-2001, 05:59 PM
#3
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Re: Re: 94 GXE engine staling
Thanks for the info Brian! Forgot to mention my car is Auto. Actually, my first guess was the bad fuel injector. Went to see 2 techs, both of them said the injector is fine. The first tech suggested replacing the MAF sensor, which I tested and believe it is ok. The second one suggested replacing the timing belt, and he did that. The engine staling problem seems fixed, but shows up 2 weeks later. Came back to the tech, he cannot find the problem. The engine only cuts off at low speed (<1000RPM), and might stale at 50~70mph, otherwise, it runs fine. I have no ignition problem, but do have rough idle sometimes, and the exhaust smells very bad. Is it engine or transmission related? Or caused by clogged catalytic converter? How can I narrow down it? Any suggestion would be appreciated.
10-22-2001, 10:33 PM
#4
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Engine system related, not transmission. Not catalytic converter.
Some ideas:
1) How does the exhaust smell "bad"? Like unburned gasoline? Eggs? What colour is the exhaust? Heavy & sooty or... ? (Car is getting too much gas)
2) Has the fuel filter been changed? (Car isn't getting enough gas - don't think this is it though since car sounds like it runs ok sometimes right?)
And you are sure your ignition is okay and all the fuel injectors are okay, so if I were you I'd either find a better mechanic or dig up a service manual and go through the tedious process of testing all the engine management sensors that might be related (and maybe the ECU too). This might be one of those weird intermittent problems that computerized engines can have.
Some ideas:
1) How does the exhaust smell "bad"? Like unburned gasoline? Eggs? What colour is the exhaust? Heavy & sooty or... ? (Car is getting too much gas)
2) Has the fuel filter been changed? (Car isn't getting enough gas - don't think this is it though since car sounds like it runs ok sometimes right?)
And you are sure your ignition is okay and all the fuel injectors are okay, so if I were you I'd either find a better mechanic or dig up a service manual and go through the tedious process of testing all the engine management sensors that might be related (and maybe the ECU too). This might be one of those weird intermittent problems that computerized engines can have.
10-23-2001, 12:16 AM
#5
This has been a common problem on GXEs, and other Nissans with regular distributor-type ignition systems..
My GF's 97 Altima (with 25k miles) had bad spark plug wires.. I replaced the spark plugs, distrib cap and rotor trying to find it.. never thought it would be the wires, as they should last years... Well it was.. replaced the wires and the problem has been gone ever since.
Hers also had the intermittent check engine light like you're talking about.. it'd backfire pretty bad once or twice, then the light would come on, then stay for a day or so until it'd backfire again, then it'd go off...
weird stuff, but it turned out to be as simple as plug wires.
The thing with it going away after the mechanic changed the timing belt is that he probably disconnected the wires to remove enough parts to change the belt- and when he put them back on, the bad connection (wherever it is) was okay for a short while.. then it went bad again.. blah blah blah.I think I made my point.. check your plug wires and see how that does.
My GF's 97 Altima (with 25k miles) had bad spark plug wires.. I replaced the spark plugs, distrib cap and rotor trying to find it.. never thought it would be the wires, as they should last years... Well it was.. replaced the wires and the problem has been gone ever since.
Hers also had the intermittent check engine light like you're talking about.. it'd backfire pretty bad once or twice, then the light would come on, then stay for a day or so until it'd backfire again, then it'd go off...
weird stuff, but it turned out to be as simple as plug wires.
The thing with it going away after the mechanic changed the timing belt is that he probably disconnected the wires to remove enough parts to change the belt- and when he put them back on, the bad connection (wherever it is) was okay for a short while.. then it went bad again.. blah blah blah.I think I made my point.. check your plug wires and see how that does.
10-24-2001, 10:34 AM
#6
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I have changed the fuel filter, air filter, PCV valve and spark plugs. I will have the plug wires replaced first, don't think they were replaced, and will let you know what's coming out. Thanks for the advise.
10-25-2001, 09:50 AM
#7
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Plug wires changed
Changed the wires yesterday. The coil wire did in bad condition. Test drive the car, it run like a maxima should be. But it did the whole staling thing again this morning. I will check the cap and rotor this weekend, replace them if necessary. Hope this can fix the problem.
10-29-2001, 09:29 AM
#8
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Thank Matt, problem solved.
Replaced the distributor cap and rator, problem solved. Thanks for you guy's help, especially Matt. The original cap is in bad shape, and it caused the engine staling and rough ideling. Hope this can help other guys who have the similiar problem. Check your plug wires and the cap. 
11-08-2001, 07:59 PM
#9
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Re: 94 GXE engine staling
Had the same problem, car studdered severely then just quit. Would turn over, but no engine fire. Replaced the fuel pump as you did, but I need to ask: did you replace the fuel filter also?? My filter was so backed up, it restricted the flow of fuel to the point that I think it was part of the reason my pump went.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Originally posted by Sagan
I have a 94 Maxima GXE with 84,000 miles on it. I love this car, but it really bothers me recently. The engine vebrates when running in highway. The harder the gas was pushed, the stronger the vibration I can feel. Sometimes the engine just cuts off at stop and go conditions. Although the car can be restarted right away, it generally has rough idel. The check engine light was on once, and the code refered to the fuel pump. Have it replaced, the problem is still there. The timing belt was changed at 70,000 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
I have a 94 Maxima GXE with 84,000 miles on it. I love this car, but it really bothers me recently. The engine vebrates when running in highway. The harder the gas was pushed, the stronger the vibration I can feel. Sometimes the engine just cuts off at stop and go conditions. Although the car can be restarted right away, it generally has rough idel. The check engine light was on once, and the code refered to the fuel pump. Have it replaced, the problem is still there. The timing belt was changed at 70,000 miles. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
11-09-2001, 11:57 AM
#10
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Re: Re: 94 GXE engine staling
Originally posted by 93bluemaxSE
did you replace the fuel filter also??
did you replace the fuel filter also??
11-09-2001, 01:51 PM
#11
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If still parting your 93 SE out, am interested in the environmental control switches. Snapped a button off the temperature control and would love to replace it. Just let me know via email...beatybj@hotmail.com.
Thanks !
Thanks !
Originally posted by Matt93SE
This has been a common problem on GXEs, and other Nissans with regular distributor-type ignition systems..
My GF's 97 Altima (with 25k miles) had bad spark plug wires.. I replaced the spark plugs, distrib cap and rotor trying to find it.. never thought it would be the wires, as they should last years... Well it was.. replaced the wires and the problem has been gone ever since.
Hers also had the intermittent check engine light like you're talking about.. it'd backfire pretty bad once or twice, then the light would come on, then stay for a day or so until it'd backfire again, then it'd go off...
weird stuff, but it turned out to be as simple as plug wires.
The thing with it going away after the mechanic changed the timing belt is that he probably disconnected the wires to remove enough parts to change the belt- and when he put them back on, the bad connection (wherever it is) was okay for a short while.. then it went bad again.. blah blah blah.I think I made my point.. check your plug wires and see how that does.
This has been a common problem on GXEs, and other Nissans with regular distributor-type ignition systems..
My GF's 97 Altima (with 25k miles) had bad spark plug wires.. I replaced the spark plugs, distrib cap and rotor trying to find it.. never thought it would be the wires, as they should last years... Well it was.. replaced the wires and the problem has been gone ever since.
Hers also had the intermittent check engine light like you're talking about.. it'd backfire pretty bad once or twice, then the light would come on, then stay for a day or so until it'd backfire again, then it'd go off...
weird stuff, but it turned out to be as simple as plug wires.
The thing with it going away after the mechanic changed the timing belt is that he probably disconnected the wires to remove enough parts to change the belt- and when he put them back on, the bad connection (wherever it is) was okay for a short while.. then it went bad again.. blah blah blah.I think I made my point.. check your plug wires and see how that does.
11-09-2001, 05:09 PM
#12
Re: Re: 94 GXE engine staling
Originally posted by 93bluemaxSE
Had the same problem, car studdered severely then just quit. Would turn over, but no engine fire. Replaced the fuel pump as you did, but I need to ask: did you replace the fuel filter also?? My filter was so backed up, it restricted the flow of fuel to the point that I think it was part of the reason my pump went.
Good Luck.
Had the same problem, car studdered severely then just quit. Would turn over, but no engine fire. Replaced the fuel pump as you did, but I need to ask: did you replace the fuel filter also?? My filter was so backed up, it restricted the flow of fuel to the point that I think it was part of the reason my pump went.
Good Luck.
11-09-2001, 05:44 PM
#13
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 46
1) How does the exhaust smell "bad"? Like unburned gasoline? Eggs? What colour is the exhaust? Heavy & sooty or... ? (Car is getting too much gas)
2) Has the fuel filter been changed? (Car isn't getting enough gas - don't think this is it though since car sounds like it runs ok sometimes right?)
And you are sure your ignition is okay and all the fuel injectors are okay, so if I were you I'd either find a better mechanic or dig up a service manual and go through the tedious process of testing all the engine management sensors that might be related (and maybe the ECU too). This might be one of those weird intermittent problems that computerized engines can have. [/B][/QUOTE]
I have a 94 gxe that just failed emissions,carbon monoxide was almost 40 times legal limit... this is from unburned gas right? I have noticed latley that i am getting no more than 35 miles to an 1/8 tank... pretty ****ty considering i dont stomp on her. I'mnot exactly sure what I should start with to try & correct the problem, besides sell it, an pointers?
2) Has the fuel filter been changed? (Car isn't getting enough gas - don't think this is it though since car sounds like it runs ok sometimes right?)
And you are sure your ignition is okay and all the fuel injectors are okay, so if I were you I'd either find a better mechanic or dig up a service manual and go through the tedious process of testing all the engine management sensors that might be related (and maybe the ECU too). This might be one of those weird intermittent problems that computerized engines can have. [/B][/QUOTE]
I have a 94 gxe that just failed emissions,carbon monoxide was almost 40 times legal limit... this is from unburned gas right? I have noticed latley that i am getting no more than 35 miles to an 1/8 tank... pretty ****ty considering i dont stomp on her. I'mnot exactly sure what I should start with to try & correct the problem, besides sell it, an pointers?
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