Im writing this on behalf of a friend of mine whose had this problem with his Maxima for months now. This problem is now getting worse with colder weather. Myabe some of you can shed some light on this. I greatly appreciate any feedback. Here's the problem. The car cranks no problem, tries to start as if timing was off. If you pump gas and crank sometimes kicks over. You have to keep revving engine to keep it running or itll die, Most times when cold it still will cut out. When you crank and pump, smell of fuel from exhaust accompanied by white/grayish smoke. Once car warms up a bit, it will run. Sometimes It'll still cut out. Ive checked spark during this, spark is there as well as fuel, ive seem the plugs come out wet after cranking. Its def something electrical. For some reason, even when its warming up, the fans kick on high, and STAY ON. The car ran a good 15 minutes with them on as if it was overheating, but the motor was ice cold even to touch. We then revved the engine twice, as the engine returned to idle, Fans slowed down as relays starting ticking like crazy, then boom, it shuts off. If we try and crank it again, it feels like it wants to start, accompanied with the smoke/smell. If you pump the gas a bit itll start up again, then this whole process starts over. Any ideas. Ive been stumped for months now. Thanks in advance!

 

Assuming there is no check-engine-light lit and no codes stored, the first thing I would do (assuming basic maintenance like plugs, filters, air intake/TB cleaning have been performed) is replace engine coolant temperature sensor (ECTS)... easy to do yourself, $25 part.

 

Mine was doing the same thing just not as bad. I would just have to give it some gas for a few seconds and it would start right up only in the cold. I just replaced the ECTS tonight so hopefully ill post you guys good news if it worked or not

 

Well give it a try. No check engine light is lit, so im assuming no codes. But, this sounds like a simple cheap fix. Ill post if it works.

 

Well give it a try. No check engine light is lit, so im assuming no codes. But, this sounds like a simple cheap fix. Ill post if it works. Any other suggestions are also welcome.

 

Hmm its still doing it, first time i started it up it started perfect turned it off went inside then tried again rpms go to 3k and drops down and turns off makes a buzzing kinda noise too.

 

I had the SAME PROBLEM. I replaced the engine coolant temp sensor and alil fuel injection cleaner and ALL PROBLEMS went away. Hopes this helps!

 

but was your check engine light on ?

 

Correction, the check engine light was on. I just found out he disconnected it. Gonna try and change the sensor in about an hour. Let you guys know how it goes...

 

see my check engine light isnt on and it shows no stored codes so i cant figure out why its doing it.

 

Well so far so good on this sensor change....true test will be tomorrow on his way to work, hopefully i wont need my tow ropes... Started up, fans stayed off untill motor got warm, then they kicked on the low speed. which should be normal while its 40 something degrees outside... ill keep you guys posted..

 

CDGTCC -Sounds good so far... DcMaN, I'm still thinking about your issue...

 

yea i cant figure it out either Maybe the idle is just too low ? My idle is actually about 525. Maybe i should raise it up ?

 

mine does the same ting, but i have a bad o2 sensor.

 

well wouldnt my check engine light come on ?

 

DcMan - if your base idle is low - you can adjust that... 525 sounds too low for an Auto... I don't know if the base idle would really affect driveability though - but here is a link that tells you how to adjust the idle:

http://home.earthlink.net/~maxfaq/maintenance.htm#idle

In a nutshell:

1) Disconnect TPS
2) Start car and let the idle settle down (it will jump over 3k for a few seconds)
3) Use screw on IACV to adjust the throttle to where you want it
4) Turn off car - re-connect TPS, restart car and make sure the idle is where it should be.

 

its about 600 in Drive and about 650 in Park.

 

you know what i forgot to do im an idiot When i changed the ECTS i left it outside in the cold to see if it worked and of course it started right up in the morning after i let it sit in the cold overnight. But i turned it off because i wasnt goign to be leaving for another 30 minutes. I shouldve let the computer learn the new part right ? Is this thing ****ed now or should i be able to do the samething tommorow

 

No - you don't need to do anything to let the computer learn. Just drive it as usual.

 

Sounds fine.