HAS ANYBODY HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AUTOMATIC PINGING BETWEEN SHIFTS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT AT RPM LEVELS ABOVE 3000, WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS, THERE IS A PING. ESPECIALLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. I HAVE ALWAYS PUT 92 OCTANCE GAS, AND HAVE CHANGED MY PLUGS REGULARLY ( OEM ). IT IS EVEN WORSE WHEN I HAVE THE A/C ON AND HORRIBLE IF THE A/C IS ON AND AM GOING UP A HILL ( LIKE ON THE 14 ON THE WAY TO VEGAS ). THE DEALER CHECKED MY TIMING AND SAID IT WAS RIGHT ON. THEY ALSO RESET ALL OF MY SENSORS. NO LUCK. ANY SUGGESTIONS.

 

Please don't post with all capitals. This is considered poor form. It makes people think YOU ARE SHOUTING.

Pinging, also called engine knock, has a sound often described as an unpleasant irregular metallic rattle, similar to shaking a coffee can full of marbles. Pinging is pronounced when the engine is under load, such as climbing a hill or rapid acceleration.

Causes of pinging include:
- fuel AKI too low
- ignition timing too far advanced
- lean mixture
- carbon deposits in combustion chambers
- EGR valve stuck closed
- EGR passages obstructed with soot
- EGR vacuum signal hose(s) split, broken, or disconnected
- engine running too hot

There are other vehicle sounds which are similar to pinging. The most common example is an exhaust system heat shield which has become loose and rattles or buzzes, especially at certain engine RPMs.

Your Maxima has a Knock Sensor which detects pinging and signals the Engine Control Module (the computer). The ECM responds by retarding the ignition timing to eliminate the pinging. For this reason... IF your Knock Sensor is working... you have never heard your Maxima engine pinging.

 

Or some other type of surge/hesitation?

Matt P.