So looks like I've jumped on the bandwagon, just got a 91 maxima se 5 spd, runs fine but there are a few things I noticed with it, when I fire up the engine it seems like it stutters within the first second or two of turning over, maybe its just me Idk, oh and the trunk does not open, i tried the latch and key but no luck, is this common on this year or model? Hoping to learn a lot from you guys, I'm no mechanic but I'm willing to listen and learn of off anyone who would like to impart some wisdom into me!

 

given the year, although you did not provide any past maintenance, it would probably be wise to go ahead and change out the plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc. Basic maintenance will do the car a world of good if it has been neglected

nice pic up btw, throw up some pics

 

I will do that once I get home, so basic tune up and whatnot would be best? And anyone know if a crowbar would get that trunk open?

 

The trunk can be opened with master key, trunk key or trunk release button on the drivers door(hard to find for some people). Don't try to use a crowbar unless you want to fuuck up your ride!!

 

I noticed you can pull the latch up and down (It controls whether or not the trunk pops open with the driverside lever. I forgot which position locks it.) I thought maybe it was broken too since the lever and the key didn't work. I took the back seat out and crawled in the trunk with a flash light and a flat head screw driver and got it to pop open easily.

 

Here's some pics, I tried my master key and no luck, it turns but the trunk doesn't budge, tried everything but taking out the backseat, im guessing that's the only solution. Do the trannys on this year have any known issues? Mine seems to be on the stiff side, no slips or grinds but it feels a bit rough when shifting.....

 

here they are whoops

 

Take out the back seat and you will have to probably pull the wire on it to get it to open.

Nice pics. Looks like an older version of my car -- even the same wheels. You need to drop it a little, though. Maybe take off that silver trim from the pillars, too.

 

How hard is that back seat to remove? Is it something that I can do with simple tools

 

The body looks good and rust free!!

 

The car is pretty clean, its amusing to me that all the windows except the driver one works, and the lock won't open the car, is it hard to open up those door panels?

 

The back seat is not difficult to remove. The bottom portion has some metal bars that pop into plastic female pieces mounted in the body. You just pop it out. There are a few screws holding the top portion in.

The door panels are not that tough once you learn how to do it. In the stickies, there is a step-by-step for replacing a window regulator -- that is why your window is messed up. The regulators are common failures. If it's your driver side, I would recommend paying a little extra and buying a regulator with a new motor in it, as well.

 

Cool thanks for the tip I really appreciate it!!

 

I bought a parts car a while back and it had no keys. James wanted the rear tail lights, so I went in through the back seat with a flashlight and pulled the wire to open the trunk so I could remove them.

I have also replaced several regulators, including my driver side with one that had a new motor. It goes up fast now. Even before the regulator broke, it was pretty slow, I am guessing because you use that side about 100x more than all of the others.

 

This car has mostly electrical issues, my window wont work, the sunroof opens but doesnt close, trunk doesnt open, i think the battery is going out too because I left the lights on for 15 minutes and I had to get a jump, engine seems to run really well but I'm sure it could use a tune up and maintanence. At least the guy I bought it from left me a nice pioneer stereo haha

 

Yeah, I've had to replace the front window switches and the passenger rear switch.

 

Just curious, the engine on my car isn't a ve is it? Vg was standard on 91 maximas?

 

Welcome aboard! Nice ride! One of the first things I would do is have your battery tested too.

This is from Wikipedia:

The Maxima was redesigned for the 1989 model year as the J30 (not to be confused with the unrelated Infiniti J30) model. Bigger dimensions made it the second Japanese sedan sold in the USA to qualify as a "mid-size" (after the Mazda 929); it was also the first Japanese car to exceed Japan's 67 in (1,701.8 mm) width restriction, making it fairly comfortable for three rear seat passengers. Surprisingly, weight actually decreased slightly from the former generation. Nissan called the new Maxima a 4-Door Sports Car and even gave it a "4DSC" window decal showing this. It now featured a 160 hp (119 kW) 3.0 L V6, with a 190 hp (142 kW) VE30DE engine standard on the SE model starting in 1992. The VG30E was an engine that had been used in the previous Maxima, as well as the first generation Nissan 300ZX. An interesting feature was the digital touch entry system on the GXE (in conjunction with the new Luxury Package), which allowed the windows to be lowered and the moon roof opened without the key in the ignition. In the United States, the VG30E engine, which featured a variable intake manifold on both automatic and manual transmission models, was used on all 1989–1994 GXE models and 1989–1991 SE models. This generation Maxima was fitted with an independent rear suspension.

 

Lol. Or a shorter answer ONLY 92-94 SEs came with the VE. Everything else 89-94 GXE/SE was VG. Only those 3years were the SE with a VE.

 

Dang I thought I was special there for a sec, I was hoping it was so I could do some mods to it after I get most of the little things fixed, but don't know anymore

 

Nice little car though, but you're missing 30HP right off the back; I feel an engine swap coming.

http://youtu.be/ePDt06pF5p4

 

Oh man if only I had a shop to do that, what does that engine cost by itself?

 

Just search under 3rd gen. for VQ35DE; there's alot of guys that have done it, I prefer to stay with the steel block engine; but to each his own.

 

congrats on your new car and it looks good and welcome!

 

Yeah, yeah, I knew that, since he's new just thought I'd share some light. A whole lot easier to copy+past.

 

I know lol. Just busting chops.

 

There were only 2 I've heard of and one was of course Aaron92se. Theres still not much o a template there. If you're new to the Maxima scene then its not for the faint hearted. Lot of custom work to be done. Not many things bolt right up. Matter of fact I don't think anything bolts up. Its all close but no dice. Look up Aaron's extensive build thread an watch his videos.

 

Just figured out my window problem, apparently there's no motor on the window pulley, is that something I can replace without having to replace the whole window track and wheel?

 

So you've pulled it already? If so and everythings intact; yes you can replace just the motor. One of my rears motor works but guide doesn't.... Wanna swap out

 

my motor doesnt work but the guides and everything else is fine, trade you my problem for yours lol but seriously though, thats great to know that it can be done and I wont have to replace everything. Now on to getting my trunk opened, I pray I don't find a dead body when I do haha...

 

So got my lock fixed and got my trunk latches fixed, I didn't expect it to be so easy haha

 

Care to share how?

 

For the door I took off the latch and lock regulator and figured out there was a screw inside the mechanism that was missing and I had to find one short enough to work and put it in there precisely, I felt like I was doing heart surgery haha, kinda the same thing with the trunk except I found the latch was just dirty and the key arm had fallen off its screw hole, I'm glad I took the initiative to just open things up and figure it out and avoid paying someone a lot to fix it