The mechanics said that Nissan has to hook up the car to a computer to set the proper RPM idle to solve my idling problem in drive. I searched on the net, and it looks like the hotwire in the MAF sensor can be cleaned on other cars from mustangs to toyotas to lexuses. Has anyone tried this? It's probably due to my K&N filter and its re-oiling. Would a throttle body cleaner be too harsh or should I use an electrical cleaner? On another note, do Apexi filters need ANY cleaning? I might consider buying one and ditch this K&N.

 

I cleaned my MAF sensor with denatured alchohol ( Found in Paint Section at Home Depot) and everything improved. I think oil from my K&N was building up on it or something, it was running like **** . everything was back to normal after I cleaned it, hope that helps

 

I spray intake cleaner on the MAF everytime I clean my throttle body.

 

Thanks! That helps a lot guys. That may very well be the reason for my idling problems. I'll try that once the weather is nice and dry.

 

athlon omega - what exactly was your idle problem, I'm trying to figure out whether or not to do this pending if my symptoms match yours.

 

3 words - electrical parts cleaner

 

My car jerks and vibrates as the RPM dips while I'm at stop lights or when moving in reverse, say out of a parking spot. It does this most of the time. This problem stops when I put the car in neutral. Acceleration is fine and so are the shift points.

 

contact cleaner.....LPS kind prefered ....and dont spray it on it to long........quick squirts let dry and do again ....

good luck

ps you can find it at any computer store, also good for getting water out of connector s as well as oil and stuff....it's what we use on aircraft.....

 

any pics of the part of MAF sensor that you cleaned ?!? thx

 

Couldnt have said it better. Thats the only thing that should be used, there is a transister in there its electrical. you dont want to use anything else but electrical parts cleaner, Sprays that dont dry up that quick will leave a "film" on the sensor. When it gets dirty it causes resistance there for your air fuel ratio is out of wack. when you crusing on the highway you might be burning more gas than anything therefore you mph will suffer. I asked my teacher yesterday who is an ASE master tech, He's 56 now only teaches but is a very knowlegdable man.

Use electrical parts cleaner found in radioshack.

 

Good thing I saw this thread. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

 

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=64%2D4345
works really well, rs #64-4345

 

where exactly is the MAF? i know its the mass air flow sensor, but im not really sure where it's located and how i should clean it

 

Black Square box on top of intake. Take it off and spray electronic parts cleaner.

 

Right next to air intake/air filter box

 

The good news is that the idle problem went away two days after cleaning the MAF and using some Redline Complete fuel system cleaner for good measure. The bad news is that I was trying to accelerate out of an intersection after the car in front of me took his sweet time turning left, almost leaving me trapped in the intersection with a red light. The car bogged down a bit as it was switching gears. I'm an auto; so I see this often. The OD light problem came back on! Now when I'm coming down sloped roads or bridges and large bumps, the OD light comes on, the RPM fluctuates, and the RPM and speedometer needles click audibly. I'm back to square one again! I know the TPS sensor I replaced can't be bad too. What gives?

 

u guys spray the whole thing? i wiped the inside circumference with a cloth..and i jsut dropped some alcohol on the resistor and wiped it with a Q-tip.

 

That's pretty much what I did minus wiping it with a Q-tip and using an electrical parts cleaner from Radio Shack instead of regular alcohol.

 

I actually got a code from the transmission this time. The porblem is a short or disconnect in the throttle sensor. I assume they mean the throttle positioning sensor? I had replaced mine earlier with a 97 maxima TPS. I can't beleive is shorted out already. I disconnected and reconnected the TPS, didn't actually remove and it and clean. The code was still there. Now, I didn't get this code with my old TPS but I had the same symptoms. Should I try switching back to it before buying a new one? Does any one know where I can get a new one for a cheap price? The local dealership said $185.

 

I used electronic cleaner before

 

It turns out that what I thought was a transmission slip wasn't the problem, but rather the fuse for my cigarette lighter? I replaced it and the throttle sensor code went away. However, I still had the OD light and RPM problems. I turned around and went back home, got out my old TPS. Replaced the current one and made sure the metal lever on the TPS was pushing a slight distance against the thorttle body catch. The problem seems to have gone away. God forbid, but if it comes back again, I'll change the TPS one last time with another newer one before considering to sell the car.

 

damn TPS is close to $100, can someone tell me where to get it for cheaper, new, thanks

 

At the local auto parts store. I saw some in Kragen.

http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/co...x?PN=05110&S=Y

 

Ditto...use the CRC cleaner pictured above...it's designed for cleaning the MAF sensor...it works very well.