I recently replaced a faulty rear O2 sensor in my 99 Max SE-L 5-spd (50K miles). I drove around with the new O2 for over 400 miles now. The engine light does not come on anymore. Everything seemed to be going well. Now...here I am driving down the road a few days ago and all of the sudden it's like what the @#%$ was that???!!! The engine started to act really, really weird, as if it was sort of starving. Say when my car accelerates quickly (duh...maxima), these mysterious breaks occur in the acceleration (most noticeable at 4 or 5 rpm). They are very, very tiny breaks (or whatever you want to call "it"). It almost feels like the car isn't getting enough fuel or air or something and is being starved. For that split second (seems like 1/3 or 1/4 second) the car appears to be desperately gasping for something that it needs to accelerate smoothly. I noticed that this often happens when I really punch it...or QUICKLY press the pedal to the metal (and I mean press!). So I guess it does not necessarily happen at high rpm, rather, when I accelerate quickly regardless of high or low rpm at that particular moment. I had the O2 sensor checked – it’s fine, poured in the best fuel injector cleaner – didn’t help a bit, the stock air filter seems perfect – it’s not clogged or anything (car gets air just fine). Now, could it be a fuel pump? I spoke with a mechanic on the phone and he told me that it’s most likely not the fuel pump because if it were clogged, then the engine would receive a lot lessened doses of fuel and eventually die on me (also…he said that the “breaks” would not last a split second but way longer). He then told me that older maximas (like the ones from 95 to 97 or so) have known fuel injection problems. He also told me that although he has gone through many fuel injection repairs on earlier maximas, he said the problem was fixed for the 98/99 models and that they are unknown to have such problems. So, what do you think? Is it as serious as fuel injection or perhaps something simpler? PLEASE HELP! I can’t even race my max!

 

Fuel filter?

 

Did you have any other codes pop up when you found out your O2 sensor was bad?

 

no, no other codes appeared. Also, I've been driving now for like a month and the check engine light has not come on ever since.

 

hmmm interesting problem. i'd have to say how are your rpm's when idling? and do you hear a slight knock at your cylinders? it might be faulty ignition coils (99's tend to have that problem, especially if you hear the slight knocking sound) i'd also recooment checking the other O2 sensors, since they might also need to be cleaned or even replaced if they fail the voltmeter test. another thing you can do is clean the Throttle Body, since a nice shiny clean throttle body ensures proper oxygen flow.

my $.02

-Vadim

 

Fuel filter
Ignition Coils (coil packs)
Knock Sensor

There are many threads on these if you have search capability.

Good luck.

EDIT: I had a bad coil and didn't get a DTC from the ECM/ECU - this problem may not neccessarily trigger a DTC, fyi.

 

I'm bettin on bad ignitions coil(s) too. Replace all your sparks and make sure the coil packs are fully seated. Beat the crap out of it to get it to sputter as much as possible. Hopefully it'll throw a code. If not, pull the plugs and check their condition.

Some garages can also test your injectors.....

Good luck

-RMB

 

Completely false!

Things to check are:...
Ignition Coils & Spark Plugs
MAF Sensor
TPS (Throttle Position Sensor)
Fuel Filter

Do you have a Check Engine light on again?
If so pull the codes, it will tell you what the problem is.

 

Id check spark plugs. Meccanoble had a similar situation on his old car, and his spark plugs were full of oil lol. Thats probbaly not yoru case though.

 

also, do you hate cops because they're always stopping you for racing?
I ask because you said "I can't even race my Max" and you hate cops...

what's up with that?

FLO_BOY

 

I know exactly what is wrong with your car but I won't tell you untill you change your user name

 

I have been having this same problem for about a month now and checked that stuff and no problem, and just waiting for a code. so could you please *begging* tell me, email or pm would be great. I would be eternally greatful to you.

 

I had an '83 Thunderbird Turbocoupe way back when which had a problem similar to this hesitation. It drove fine normally, but under hard exceleration it would have micro-second "drop outs" in power. I changed the sparkplugs and found one to have a tiny crack in the "shell"....it was nearly indecipherable. Anyway new plugs fixed it right up and it acted like a different (better) car. That 4 cylinder engine was a hard puller! I loved it when the high-pitched turbo whine bounced off roadside buildings. It was a big car to have a 4 cyl., but the turbo made it a perfect match. Power when needed or economy when needed, your choice. Cool car.

 

I vote Throttle Postition Sensor.

It sounds like a textbook case of a TPS on the verge of complete failure. When I had a Sentra, I had those "Pauses" in acceleration and it severely decreased driveablility, especially since it was a manual transmission. Its real hard to feather the clutch for smooth power when the engine is jerking around.

 

I ALSO had pauses while driving -- turned out to be bad MAFS wiring...
BUT, considering that the car is a 1999, I doubt the issue is the
same.

What needs to happen here is a step-by-step elimination of the possible
problems...only then will you be able to really figure this out.

FLO_BOY

 

You can test the TPS sensor.

Step 1: But a Haynes Manual
Step 2: Read it
Step 3: Test TPS with a multimeter.
Step 4: Rule out problem or confirm it.

 

I had this very same problem before. It was an easy fix - I was a little low on gas. Not empty, but maybe 2-3 gallons left. I floored it and around 5000-6000 rpm, I got a couple hesitations and jerks. Happened again and again. Filled up the tank, problem went away. Tried it again with a low tank, and it happened again. So, this is the simplest fix in the world, if that is your problem.

If its not, and it never happened before you changed your O2 sensor, I would have your mechanic replace that sensor (there is a parts warranty on work done at a shop) and see if the problem comes back.

 

Guys, I'm the guy with the problem...listen...I forgot to mention one little detail - I noticed that the microsecond pauses in acceleration happen ONLY when my tank is less than half full or so. When the tank is full, the problem is gone (no pauses no nothing...simply perfect). Does that help rule out some of the above-mentioned mechanical failures?

 

I 'had' this problem in my '99...but it mysteriously went away over a month ago. I only have 44k so far. I did get the O2 code as well...and that went away before the 'pulsing' stopped.

I'm waiting to see if it could have been bad gas or something...since it hasn't come back I haven't done any tests.

 

maybe your car doesn't work because some cops found out where you live.

 

Maybe you need to shut the **** up and leave my original username alone! ***!

 

here we go