Very strange problem going on for the last 8 months or so: mabye one or 2 times a month, while cruising (steady pace) on highway or interstate, car starts hiccupping (feels like someone is turning the key off for about a half second, then back on).
If I hit the accelerator, it usually slows for about a half second then takes off.
Usually happens when warm and is completely unpredictable (will work great for weeks then it happens). Usually only occurs for mabye 5 minutes then just clears up. It is a '95 SE with 130k miles. Has plenty of power when working correctly. The MIL has been on for last 20k miles. Problem does not correllate to when the light came on. I am planning to change the fuel filter. Pls help if you have any ideas. thx.

 

You really should check your codes to see what is wrong. The fact that the problem did not correlate to when the light came on may not mean that the problem does not lay with what the MIL is trying to tell you. Maybe there is something else wrong and if you run the codes you may get multiple faults.

 

That's been happening to me too. Except my MIL is not on.



I'm baffled.

I tested all my coils, the MAF and the cam position sensor. All of my injectors sound ok (at least at idle).

My plugs are new, my KS is new...

I have no idea what is causing this.

 

Sounds like an electrical problem to me, and the intermittent ones are the worst to find. I'd start by checking the connectors and making sure that they are connected tight. Especially around the ignition and CPU. If there are no MIL codes, it's gonna be tough.

Mike

 

I'll guess it's the MAF. It will eventually throw a code. Did you recently remove your intake or do anything that may harsh vibration to the MAF? I think I did this when I was going back to stock intake. Cost me $85 (Canadian) at the wrecker's.

 

...OMG...here we go again. I GIVE 99% CHANCE THAT IT'S YOUR IGNITION COILS!

Anyway, I think you deserve no help whatsoever on this. You should read other threads before writing something almost entirely the same as the thread, which is still very much alive - http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=271753. Why don't you ppl ever read other ppl's threads? WTF? You ask the same stupid question over and over again. What you describe is basically the same as what http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=271753 is all about! Also, read the whole freakin thing god damn it, not just the first post in the thread!

...and just how did you test your coils? Coils are a b!tch to test - nearly impossible half the time. Don't tell me you looked at each coil with a naked eye and decided that it's good cause I'll . Again, I bet it's your coils.

 

You ASSuME I didn't read it, but I did and don't think it is the same symptom. Hesitation WHILE ACCELERATING is the not the same thing as LOSS OF POWER while at a constant speed in my book. I am happy to see others are fully engaged in the spirit of this forum and helping people. Since I am new, I will try not to let your post sour me on the site. Feel free to be helpful next time. thx

 

OMG, maybe you should REread certain things. Maybe you should just read more, period! I mean maybe then you would know that bad/worn/deteriorated coils cause both hesitations while accelerating and loss of power while at a constant speed!!!! That is precisely what happened with each of the 3 bad coils on my Maxima - both symptoms reoccurred over and over again.

 

You need to back off.

Your attitude is horrible.

Try to be constructive and helpful from now on.

This serves as the official warning that you don't deserve.

 

bballen911

I think either the fuel filter is clogged, either the fuel pump is getting tired. Replace the fuel filter first, since it is inexpensive, and takes 30 minutes at the most. Fuel pump will cost a few hundred more. Inspect the inside of the gas tank for debris that may clog the fuel pump. You access the gas tank top opening by removing the rear seat.

 

sounds electrical to me too. Maybe you have a bad ground somewhere? Have you tested your battery and alternator recently? Have that done too.

 

i say test the voltage on your engine coolant temperature sensor. it happened to me when my ECTS was malfunctioning. you mite wanna check that out. here's a thread you can refer to regarding how you can attain a ohmmeter to perform the diagnosis >> http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=268218

there are couple other links within the thread you can refer to for more reference.


boss you are so gay.

 

btw i forgot to mention ECTS affects your air/fuel ratio. if it's malfunctioning you will be running too rich or too lean, which cause momentary loss of in power.

 

I thank everyone for their constructive input.
I checked the Codes as someone suggested:
I had 3: 0103 - engine coolant temp. sensor 0304 - knock sensor circuit 0908 - engine coolant temp. sensor function.

I reset them and chk eng stayed off for a few days then just came on again today: I checked again and only have 2: 0103 and 0304.

I replaced the spark plugs when I reset the codes the first time with Platinums. Longshot, but needed it anyway.

Since the Fuel Filter and ECTS are both cheap, I am going to replace both of them, then reset the codes and go from there.

If I still have problems, I will proceed with the other suggestions.
thx again and stay tuned.

 

i replaced my engine coolant temp sensor last year and the problem went away until recently. i have no cel but i need to check the codes because the car stalls at low speeds a few mins after it started up. i was getting some rough almost fuel cut sorta feeling but that stopped. i know i need to change my spark plugs and i have a fuel filter but it's been too cold and it's a pain to do. hopefully those will stop it. winter time makes cars sick

 

You should have replaced the ECTS right off the bat.

Two codes pointed to it the first time you checked.

 

I feel confidant now that the problem is resolved. I replaced the ECTS ($25), reset the CEL and have been trouble free for over a month now. I have new respect for CEL. I thank everyone again for all their ideas.