I noticed that my engine "hiccups" when I am idling at a traffic light. I also notice that when my engine "hiccups" that the RPM's fluctate as well. This has been going on for over 3 months. Since I noticed the problem, I have changed my spark plugs, fuel filter, and rear O2 sensor (b/c it was throwing a code on the ecu). The problem still persisted after I changed those parts. My engine light now is back on and it is throwing a 0901 for the front right O2 sensor. I havent had time to replace that yet. The "hiccuping" seems like it is getting worse. Does anyone have any idea what can be causing this problem? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

When's the last time you cleaned your TB?

 

I've recently noticed that with my engine too. At a light i would be idling about 600-700rpm then my engine would hiccup and rpms would drop to 550 and then right back to 600-700. I've changed the Spark Plugs, fuel filter, cleaned the tb, and installed an intake (in the last 6 months). I've only noticed this problem when it started to get cold here in NY about a month and a half. The car is fine otherwise, very smooth drive but i felt a loss of acceleration in the low rpm range and gas mileage fell (probably KS). I've had a Cylnder 4 Misfire CEL and multiple Misfires CEL long time before i did any work, but changing plugs solved the CEL.

I have a '99 and i've heard the ignition coils are not reliable as opposed to other years.

Maybe it is a dirty IAC ?

Hopefully i'll diagnose this soon (after finals)

-Vadim

 

I have a 99 too....same problem. If anybody know what the problem is please let us know.

 

I was at the nissan dealer today picking up some wiper blades and i got talking to the parts sales guy. he said that someone with a 99 max was having similar problems with his max and it happen to be fauly engine coils. He said that he ended up calling up nissan headquarters and they ended up paying for most of the cost. Not sure on exact details. Did anyone else hear anything with the coils in the 99 max?

 

I was thinking of replacing my coils when i got the multiple cylinder misfire CEL but it went away with the new spark plugs. I have 71K on the car and it seems like 4 years on the same ignition coils is a long time. if it would be my old oldsmobile i'd change the spark plug wires, but since we have coils it seems logical to replace those after some time. I know it costs about 350-400 for all 6, but it is a good investment for the future and could only improve my 1/4 mile times.

thanks for the reply pimpin99max. btw how many miles do you have on your max? and what is the vin# and when was in made?

perhaps faulty 99 coils were installed an the same plant within certain dates of production.

maybe we can get a TSB for this like the alternatior TSB recall that only affects some vin# of 98 maxes? Anybody else have this hiccuping problem or had faulty 99 coils please post date and vin# of car.

-Vadim

 

oh yeah there's more people who have bad coils on 99's here's a thread about changing coils:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=269877

btw my Max was made in 11/98 and vin# is: JN1CA21A5XT704607

that means my coils are a little over 5 years old.

BTW what damage can this cause to the engine in 2 months?

-Vadim

 

Not sure when my 99 max was made. vin# JN1CA21AOXT704000. i have approx 54,000 miles.