My car was running fine all day until I started it and put it into gear (auto) after running some errands. As I was going in reverse the car vibrated from the engine bay. From idle to about 2000 rpm it was hesitating/vibrating a noticeable amount. When I hit about 4000 rpm, just to try it out, the check engine light blinked a few times and turned off when I drove at lower engine speeds. I noticed a slight decrease in power also.
It's a 99 automatic GXE with 104K miles. I was thinking maybe it's the spark plugs, piston misfire, coil pack....or something of that nature. Any suggestions?

 

kind of an emergency since I have no car...so if you guys can give me some tips that'd be very helpful.

 

.......ttt

 

ok...I guess i'm just talking to myself on this thread....I just replaced the spark plugs and the car is running much better, but it seems like it hesitates throughout the whole rpm band..

 

99's are notorious for bad coil packs. And the symptons sound like yours is bad. Hope this helps.

 

Have you done any work under the hood recently? Check for any stored codes as they will tell you what is going on.

It may also be helpful if you have not already done so, to clean your throttle body as well as the IAC valve.

 

Would a 95-98 coil pack fit on a 99?

 

oh gosh...now my battery dies....

 

sound like a possible short somewhere or just a weakazz battery.

 

well...I cleaned the battery terminal well and tried a few more times....now it works. I still get the CEL, I'll check the codes tomorrow. I'm hoping it's something I can do myself relatively cheap...or do a VQ35DE swap! -.-

 

dang, ur havin some problems with your car eh? Good luck fixin it!

 

Went to Autozone for a free OBD II check and just as presumed....0605 - Cylinder 4 misfire....so I'm guessing it's the coil packs.

 

flashing check engine light means heavy misfire, its your coils. just replace them all. get the mitsubitshi kind. they are like $55 each at jerryromenissan.com use promo code maxima get 3 of the left and 3 of the right. get some spark plugs too if you havent replaced them also. since the coils are right on top of the spark plugs.

 

Well, it's not flashing anymore, it's just on. What's the difference between the Hanshin coils and the Mitsubishi coils?
Thanks for the help.

 

I would assume that it does but just making sure. I would buy new coil packs but I'm very low on funds right now.

 

no real difference except for the price and the construction of the 2 differnt kinds. stems on both are different. but they are the same length. they both work well. mitsubitshi ones came stock on my 95. check out the coils, and see who makes yours.

 

thanks for the info killcrap

 

fixed it! Just replaced the coil pack on cylinder 4 (guys at Autozone knew better where cylinder 4 was than the Nissan mechanics...sad..) and it runs like a charm.