Maxima 95 LE
I have pulled three codes, two are for Engine Coolant Temperature sensor and one is for Knock sensor. I am about replace the knock sensor this weekend.
I have another issue when i drive the car for over 5 minutes and turn the ignition off, the car makes a ticking sound for a while. This is not a regular engine or exhaust cooling noise. This is louder and makes me think that may be the engine block is cracking.
The noise comes from three or four places, it sound likes it comes from the lower radiator area or underneath the engine compartment, maybe the transmission area also, but not from the back of the car. It is like cooling noise but is lot louder than usual.
Also when driving on a highway, all of a sudden the RPM goes up and down.

Q1) Is any of the mentioned problems related to troubled codes above?
Q2) I read that there is tranmission cooling kit. Would that help?
Q3)This car was in front-end collision, maybe there is something didn't get put back together right that is making cooling noise.

I appologize for a long post, i would appreciate any responses.

 

when i turn off my car it sounds like its making popcorn in the engine is that what you hear??

 

I think the engine coolant temperature sensor will solve some of the engine idle surge problems. If the temperature of the coolant is not properly reported to the ECU, then your ECU cannot be expected to know when the engine is cold, warming up, hot, etc. and this effect the ability of the ECU to determine the correct amount of fuel to deliver to the engine.

The knock sensor repair will simply restore lost power due to a timing retard that is implemented to protect you engine from detonation (and also gas mileage issues).

The ticking after running the engine when the engine is off and cooling down could be a number of things that are no problem or some things that would be a problem.

-could be normal cool down if you motor is not getting overly hot.

-could be normal catalytic convertor or if loud it might be a problem with a catalytic convertor getting too hot due to it being clogged or partially clogged.

-could be an issue related to the radiator.

Just a few of my thoughts on the issue.

White96MaxSE

 

The knock sensor code pulls anytime the ecu is tripped with another code. I think your wasting your money if you replace it, unless you have reason to feel it is not in working order...

 

The ticking sound after you turn your car off is your IAC Valve. (Idle Air Control valve)

 

I doubt your engine block is cracking...

But how bad was the front-ender? (i.e. everyone was killed wearing seatbelts and it flipped end over end)

-RMB

 

Interesting.

What makes it tick?

White96MaxSE

 

If your engine coolant temp sensor is bad, your car will not run correctly causing KNOCK & PING! Thats why your getting a KS code. Don't replace it, your wasting $$$$. Replace the coolant temp sensor, clear the error codes from the ECU and you should be all set.

The tick tick tick your hearing is your exhaust system cooling off after you turn the car off. Metal expands when it heats up and contracts when it cools back down. Your hearing it cool down. It's normal, don't worry about it.

 

OK, i will just replace the temp. sensor and clear the codes and see if it clears knock sensor code as well.

The accident was pretty bad, i had to replace the radiator, pretty much the front end with salvage parts. Allignment is little off still but it is very close to the specs.

Cooling noise yes it is like popcorn noise, Temperature guage stays towards the middle sometimes a slightly above the middle mark. My friends maxima doesnot make this much noise cooling down,
After replacing the temp. sensor maybe it will help. I will keep you guys posted with the results.
Thanks for your help.

 

yeah mine is loud as well, sounds like its REALLY popping popcorn in there... I figured it was normal so I didn't think much of it, if you accomplish anything let me know