What's going on guys? Long time no post. Anyways let's get into it.
My Max 95 SE 137,500 miles has been having the same problem(s) as most of you have had:
1. Car bucks off the line.
2. Lights get dim, and various other charging/ electrical system.
3. HORRIBLE gas mileage ,you can't top me, I was averaging 8mpg at one point no joke.
4. CEL codes up the wazoo. Mainly misfires and Knock sensor lately. But it alternates between Knock and ECTS
5. And various other minor annoyances
Here's what I've done:
1. Knock Sensor replacement.
2. Clean Throttle Body
3. Clean IACV
4. Seafoam all spots (cranckcase, brake-booster, and gas tank)
5. Replace spark plugs (NGK Iridiums IX)

Basically, this is my last plea for help. I've put too much into my pride and joy to give up now, I'm in for the long haul. I took my car to the family mechanic because I thought he wouldn't screw us. He replaced my plugs and knock sensor for like 20 bucks. He said he would check the other problems (Problems 1-3 and 5). I got the car back and everything was looking good for the first time. Then the CEL came back on, and all hell broke loose. The car felt the worse it ever did before. I had the sneeking suspension that he just reset the ECU after replacing those two things without checking my other problems. He said that if there any more problems, just to take it back and he'll check it out. Him and I were talking about how most Nissans Maximas have been having this bucking problem. When he finally got around to checking my baby out, he narrowed all of my problems to two: something wrong with the engine coolant system ( Bad ECTS is my guess) and bad injectors. The base price to replace the oil, fix the Engine coolant system, and replace 1 injector was gonna run me $400 something. I'm thinking 100% screw-job. What would you do, and what do you think the problem is/are?

 

Sounds like he ripping you. Coilpacks. Check each coilpack

 

Sounds like a Coils problem. I would go to Autozone and have them pull your codes so you know whats going on, or buy a scan tool. I would then take those codes and check whats exactly wrong. It should give you a good starting point.

Jason

 

Injectors aren't that much. Fix your car, simple as that.

One afternoon and you should be good.

Before thinking about injectors, fix what's wrong.

ECTS = 27$

 

if you are going to spend $400, I would just look for an engine. a VQ30 or if I can find one a VQ35 to swap into that car for about 400-600.(IF) but if you are not a rich guy like me just see what is wrong with your car, by going to autozone like previous people said. And do things little by little.

 

The codes pulled were misfire and ECTS codes. Now as to coilpacks, have they been the little bastards that give bucking problem?

 

Only an idiot would pay that much for an injector.

 

from what I understand the coilpacks were a problem on 97's i believe, I haven't had any problems with mine. I would do what exlplorerxlt said..go and have each of your codes pulled...if you have to take it to the dealership..it definatley sounds like your "family mechanic" is giving you a "family ream job" all he did was reset the codes on the ECU and they probably came back on in 1 to 2 days...If it was me I would have two options take it to a dealership and have a master tech look at it or get another VQ30 or VQ35..best of luck to you by the way I had the same problem and it was bank one sensor one
O2 sensor and Knock sensor.

 

99 Maximas def. had the coil issues. Never heard of 97 problems. Still could be the coils....

 

Ya, but they are throwing in an oil change.

 

There's always a silver lining...
I also heard of the 97-99's having the coil problems, but I haven't heard of much 95's. My friend had the smae problem on his Max, he changed all the things I did, but his car still bucked. I was thinking of going to the dealer, but I would have to pay just to get it checked out.

 

99's had problems..not 97

You're making this harder than it has to be.

Check the codes yourself and fix them, simple as that.

 

i dont know how much an injector cost or anything but an oil change dont cost a dime, and oil change is free, well it only cost you 10 minutes, thats it!!!!!!

 

And oil and a filter.

 

Another one that replaces the KS but doesn't fix the root cause problems before.
Amazing, simply amazing how much $$$ is wasted on the KS replacenet.

Change your Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. It's probably causing your poor gas mileage by making the engine run rich which could very well lead to your misfires as well.
Both of which will trigger the KS code.

I wish people would stop replacing there KS until the engine runs correctly and NO other codes are present.

 

From your post it sounds like you've already got the problem narrowed down, you just need more experience/confidence in working on your car. What everyone said here makes sense and are just common troubleshooting steps.

For what it's worth and since this thread has helped many people when they couldn't find the problem I'll throw this link in but I doubt it's your problem:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=452286

Oh and $400 is a rip off. It's a shame a family friend is ripping you off. Sounds like he's also inexperienced as well.

 

Test your coil packs first, then get some used along with the injectors and put them in, not hard at all. I would fix the coil packs first and then see how it is before changing the injector(s).

 

again i will say Coilpacks...my 96 had coilpack issues..replaced 2 of them still running like Forrest Gump