rightfootshuffl

Ride: 92 Maxima SE, Manual
First off, my problem is my engine is bogging down, bucking and cutting off. It first started as a intermitant problem, now it's happening at idle and basically undrivable now. The dealer mechanic said that it could be the Crank Angle Sensor or the Power Transistor but couldn't get his scanner to verify either (also said it could be the ECU, so I swapped it out, but that didn't help). The Sensor and Transistor cost about $400 each (can't find them used damnit), so I'm reluctant to start swapping parts out. Does anyone have any advice on how to locate and solve the problem? I read some posts on the Catalytic Convertor and the Engine Cont Relay as being potential causes. I'm hoping someone can float me a couple more ideas before I dive under the hood. Also does anyone know how to run a real time self-diagnostic (Chilton says it's a good way to test the Sensor and Transistor, but stinks at telling you how or what the blinks mean). I want to get my honey back on the road. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Take it easy and thanks for reading this post.

Jaybird180

Take a look at the ECU from the passenger side. Turn on the ignition, and then turn the screw clockwise. It will give you a series of flashes. Then you can use that to help diagnose your problem. The Haynes gives the codes, and I'm sure that someone has posted them somewhere.

JAYinAK

I had the same problem, I took mine to a shop and they said it was probably the timing,or something to do with it.But I checked the timeing before I took it to the shop so I was like WTF?Anyway when I got it back I decided to take a look at the timeing belt.I unscrewed the the bolt from the crank pully and everything fell off, along with the timing gear. What had happend was a rock nocked a huge chunck of my crank pully off.So it was out of harmony, and it basicaly rattled and broke the end of the crank shaft off. So you might wanna check that,it could be your probablem.

NOMAD92SE

Well I guess I'm not the only one this is happening to. My 92SE has been to 3 different mechanics, the last one, which is a very reputable foreign car specialists got pretty close to diagnosing the problem. First of all do not spend any more money in swapping parts out, I have got it down to (2) possible things. First off like you mentioned, change out the Crank Angle Sensor, I know it's costly, but maybe you can find one at a wrecking yard. Also try the Idle air control valve or (IACV) I think those are the initials for it. But anyways, mine has been very costly to figure out, I have changed 3 ignition coils, water temp sensor, MAF sensor $$$, thermostat, waterpump, cat converter, ECCS relay, and ECU. I will be changing out those two things in the next couple of weeks. As far as the other guy says about the timing gears broke, I doubt that would be your problem, since 92-94 SE have timing chains and it is more difficult for a rock to get in there and do some damage. Well good luck in your adventures.