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spark plug wire debate... AGAIN lol

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Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:17 PM
  #1  
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spark plug wire debate... AGAIN lol

alright, we had some debate about "upgrading" your spark plugs in order to make the car start quicker... well here's something I ran across on an online chiltons manual place.

http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...61CH01_30.HTML

I know this is different from the "performance" spark plug wires debate we had, but I think it is the wire that has deteriated on some of the maximas that causes this problem. What do you guys thinK?? I mean the website itself says that it has trouble starting up in the cold or damp places... exact problems i've been having.

I've never changed my sparkplugs before or have touched the sparkplug wires... i'd love to test the wires but I don't understand the instructions on website. I completely disconnect that wire on both ends?

Also, you think nissan can sell new OEM ones? lemme know ure opinions and input. We've had all sorts of ideas about why our maximas take forever starting... it'd be cool to find a possible answer. Thanks!
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:20 PM
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CaLSoNiC
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I didnt think we had spark plug wires?
Dont those nasty backordered Ignition Coils do our dirty work?
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:20 PM
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Re: spark plug wire debate... AGAIN lol

Originally posted by nadir_s
alright, we had some debate about "upgrading" your spark plugs in order to make the car start quicker... well here's something I ran across on an online chiltons manual place.

http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...61CH01_30.HTML

I know this is different from the "performance" spark plug wires debate we had, but I think it is the wire that has deteriated on some of the maximas that causes this problem. What do you guys thinK?? I mean the website itself says that it has trouble starting up in the cold or damp places... exact problems i've been having.

I've never changed my sparkplugs before or have touched the sparkplug wires... i'd love to test the wires but I don't understand the instructions on website. I completely disconnect that wire on both ends?

Also, you think nissan can sell new OEM ones? lemme know ure opinions and input. We've had all sorts of ideas about why our maximas take forever starting... it'd be cool to find a possible answer. Thanks!
So when did Maximas get spark plug wires?
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:22 PM
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Originally posted by CaLSoNiC
I didnt think we had spark plug wires?
Dont those nasty backordered Ignition Coils do our dirty work?
Correct!
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:23 PM
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Originally posted by CaLSoNiC
I didnt think we had spark plug wires?
Dont those nasty backordered Ignition Coils do our dirty work?

last time i looked under the hood of my car then no we don't have any plug wires. unless i wasn't paying attention and there is something totally different from my canadian maxima and the US maxima besides the guages reading in km/h and I have an LSD tranny already.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:24 PM
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kajs;dflkasjd;flkasjf

did u guys see the link i posted? So... that doesn't exist

don't flame me, I just came up to that and it was relevant to what i was talkin about before! and that IS for a 1996 Nissan Maxima according to the Chilton site.

So then... if each spark plug has a coil, then isn't that connected to the distributer? maybe it's talkin about that wire coming from the distributer...
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:31 PM
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Originally posted by nadir_s
kajs;dflkasjd;flkasjf

did u guys see the link i posted? So... that doesn't exist

don't flame me, I just came up to that and it was relevant to what i was talkin about before! and that IS for a 1996 Nissan Maxima according to the Chilton site.

So then... if each spark plug has a coil, then isn't that connected to the distributer? maybe it's talkin about that wire coming from the distributer...
dude...nothing on the site of the link you posted said anything about a '96 Maxima. and I'm not sure how the coils are connected to the plugs. I never thought about that. hmmmmm...
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:31 PM
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Originally posted by nadir_s
kajs;dflkasjd;flkasjf

did u guys see the link i posted? So... that doesn't exist

don't flame me, I just came up to that and it was relevant to what i was talkin about before! and that IS for a 1996 Nissan Maxima according to the Chilton site.

So then... if each spark plug has a coil, then isn't that connected to the distributer? maybe it's talkin about that wire coming from the distributer...
Direct ignition. No wires.

Yeah, I saw your link, but it doesn't do 4th Gen Maximas much good?
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:39 PM
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From: norcal
Originally posted by UNCDooD


dude...nothing on the site of the link you posted said anything about a '96 Maxima. and I'm not sure how the coils are connected to the plugs. I never thought about that. hmmmmm...
http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...H01_5_IDX.HTML

check that... and if you click on the yellow buttons up there, it goes back a directory to show u more options and if you check some of those other links out, you'll find out it's talkin about VE30DE and VG30E engines.

Damn if this stuff is not correct, I bet i've got the ****tiest luck on this. First it was the Nissan Salesman that recommended this and now the online chilton site!
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:41 PM
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Originally posted by nadir_s


http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...H01_5_IDX.HTML

check that... and if you click on the yellow buttons up there, it goes back a directory to show u more options and if you check some of those other links out, you'll find out it's talkin about VE30DE and VG30E engines.

Damn if this stuff is not correct, I bet i've got the ****tiest luck on this. First it was the Nissan Salesman that recommended this and now the online chilton site!
Here is a stupid *** question for you. What kind of gas do you use?
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:42 PM
  #11  
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From: norcal
Originally posted by Victim64


Here is a stupid *** question for you. What kind of gas do you use?
how the hell is that relevant?
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:45 PM
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Originally posted by nadir_s


how the hell is that relevant?
lol Might not be, just curious. You said you have a starting problem, and there have been a few other members that have it too. So AIR/FUEL/SPARK...... Fuel = what kind of gas do you use? Might be a silly question, but just trying to narrow your problem down.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:46 PM
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Originally posted by nadir_s


how the hell is that relevant?

just answer the man. lol i'm sure he knows what he is talking about.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:47 PM
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From: norcal
Originally posted by Victim64


lol Might not be, just curious. You said you have a starting problem, and there have been a few other members that have it too. So AIR/FUEL/SPARK...... Fuel = what kind of gas do you use? Might be a silly question, but just trying to narrow your problem down.
91 octane... also I made a mistake previously, the engines 2 posts up don't match ours lol. blah forget it, the site can't link properly.

The problem I have is the car takes alot of turning over before it actually starts SOMETIMES>.. and i noticed it when it was damp actually.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:47 PM
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Originally posted by UNCDooD



just answer the man. lol i'm sure he knows what he is talking about.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:51 PM
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Originally posted by Victim64


:rolleyes : :-p
or is it a woman then?





j/k
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:52 PM
  #17  
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Originally posted by nadir_s


91 octane... also I made a mistake previously, the engines 2 posts up don't match ours lol. blah forget it, the site can't link properly.

The problem I have is the car takes alot of turning over before it actually starts SOMETIMES>.. and i noticed it when it was damp actually.
You mentioned you never changed your plugs, but you have had them changed within the past 50k miles though right? (Might want to pull them out and give them a once over anyway though)

Also, when starting the car, does it help when you turn the key on to ACC for a few seconds before turning it over? (Or have you tried this?)
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:55 PM
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Originally posted by UNCDooD


or is it a woman then?





j/k
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:55 PM
  #19  
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From: norcal
Originally posted by Victim64


You mentioned you never changed your plugs, but you have had them changed within the past 50k miles though right? (Might want to pull them out and give them a once over anyway though)

Also, when starting the car, does it help when you turn the key on to ACC for a few seconds before turning it over? (Or have you tried this?)
plugs were changed 25k miles ago.

I have never tried the ACC method. Thanks for the advice, I'll try that tomorrow morning... well not tomorrow morning because my gas is really low and the car always takes forever to start when the gas is low. I assume it's the low gas pressure.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 09:57 PM
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Originally posted by nadir_s


plugs were changed 25k miles ago.

I have never tried the ACC method. Thanks for the advice, I'll try that tomorrow morning... well not tomorrow morning because my gas is really low and the car always takes forever to start when the gas is low. I assume it's the low gas pressure.
You might need a new fuel pump, or might need to change your fuel filter. Try the "ACC method" and if you haven't, change your fuel filter too.

Good luck!
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:00 PM
  #21  
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From: norcal
Originally posted by Victim64


You might need a new fuel pump, or might need to change your fuel filter. Try the "ACC method" and if you haven't, change your fuel filter too.

Good luck!
thanks for ure help! sorry for sounding like an *** when asked about the gas.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:02 PM
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if you need a new fuel pump then it might be time for the Walbro 190lph fuel pump.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:17 PM
  #23  
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Originally posted by nadir_s


thanks for ure help! sorry for sounding like an *** when asked about the gas.
lol np Just let us know when you figure out what it is!

what the hell is this guy for? ---->>> lol
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:21 PM
  #24  
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Originally posted by UNCDooD
if you need a new fuel pump then it might be time for the Walbro 190lph fuel pump.
Then get a turbo, SC, or NOS and make good use of it!!


I am using too many smilies now, time for bed lol
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:25 PM
  #25  
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Originally posted by Victim64


what the hell is this guy for? ---->>> lol
To make you ask.
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:32 PM
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I have the same problem with my 4th and the only way i start it is if i press the gas peddle till it hits about 2500RPM and if i just press and start it will die down. I think i either have a problem with the fuel injection or needs Tune-up. I dont know if that helped at all. sorry if it didnt
Old Feb 11, 2003 | 10:36 PM
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Originally posted by bombtrack_ratm
I have the same problem with my 4th and the only way i start it is if i press the gas peddle till it hits about 2500RPM and if i just press and start it will die down. I think i either have a problem with the fuel injection or needs Tune-up. I dont know if that helped at all. sorry if it didnt
If your car isn't started it can't hit 2500rpms??
Old Feb 12, 2003 | 02:35 AM
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nope you need a 255 lph for that
Originally posted by Victim64


Then get a turbo, SC, or NOS and make good use of it!!


I am using too many smilies now, time for bed lol
Old Feb 12, 2003 | 04:48 AM
  #29  
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Just to summarize:
We have the VQ30 engine (Not VG30 or VE30)
We do not have a distributor
We do not have spark plug wires

We have an ignition coil on top of each spark plug that is told when to fire by the ECU. The only "upgradable" or "serviceable" part of out ignition system is the plugs.

The coils can be replaced with OEM units, but that's not really a maintenance item.
Old Feb 12, 2003 | 07:17 AM
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Originally posted by Victim64


If your car isn't started it can't hit 2500rpms??
No, when I start I have to rev it to 2500RPM for it to keep running properly. If I dont let it reach 2500RPM, she goes back down and dies.
Old Feb 12, 2003 | 09:53 AM
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Re: spark plug wire debate... AGAIN lol

Originally posted by nadir_s
alright, we had some debate about "upgrading" your spark plugs in order to make the car start quicker... well here's something I ran across on an online chiltons manual place.

I know this is different from the "performance" spark plug wires debate we had, but I think it is the wire that has deteriated on some of the maximas that causes this problem. What do you guys thinK?? I mean the website itself says that it has trouble starting up in the cold or damp places... exact problems i've been having.

I've never changed my sparkplugs before or have touched the sparkplug wires... i'd love to test the wires but I don't understand the instructions on website. I completely disconnect that wire on both ends?

Also, you think nissan can sell new OEM ones? lemme know ure opinions and input. We've had all sorts of ideas about why our maximas take forever starting... it'd be cool to find a possible answer. Thanks!
First off us 4th genners have a direct ignition system that does not need to have its wires replaced, unless they are cut or physically damaged. Our coil packs have a transistor that creates the high voltage pulse that is needed to fire the spark plug properly, the main advantage to this system is too eliminate the high voltage wires of the older systems and to gain better spark plug firing accuracy and control.

On older engines that did not have a DIS they used a distrubutor to send the high voltage thru HEAVILY insulated spark plug wires. Over time the heat from the engine, the weather, and other problems would wear the insulation on these wires, eventially causing the high voltage in the wires to short out onto the metal of the engine block. This would cause misfiring, rough starts, and other problems. This is why on the old distributor systems recomended changing your spark plug wires every time you changed your spark plugs.

Also trouble starting up in the cold or damp places on these systems only aggrivates the problem because the mositure that collects only helps to reduce the resistance of the wire's insulation and cause spark plug wire shorting. When the engine eventially begins to run and heat up the collected mositure would evaporate making the shorting go away or be less noticable.

The test that they talk about for the spark plug wires is known as a continuity test in the electronics world. You remove both ends of the wire and use an ohmmeter to test the continuity of the wire, if the wire tested has a resistance that is very low (shorted out wire), very high (worn out conductor), or infinite resistance (broken wire) you replaced that wire. IMO it is possible to do this test on our cars but its probally a waste of time, Ive never heard of a 4th gens ignition wires getting worn out.
Old Feb 12, 2003 | 11:40 AM
  #32  
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Re: Re: spark plug wire debate... AGAIN lol

Originally posted by 98SEBlackMax
Ive never heard of a 4th gens ignition wires getting worn out.
Just the coil packs...
Old Feb 12, 2003 | 11:53 AM
  #33  
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On a sort of off topic, topic, i wanna know something about this remote started i have. It says there is a tachometer sensor for remote start. It also says the tach can be set up to start to a certain RPM. i know the starter has nothing to do with teh throttle position, but could that little thing really make my car start and rev to 6000 rpm? i would really like that to scare people for fun....
i have a pretty good two way alarm (the little screens with the car pics on it).
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