NOOBIES: "I AM NEW HERE BUT HAVE A QUESTION" thread. Read FIRST post BEFORE posting!
#6041
Hey everyone
have a question on my daughters 96 max. she drove it to work and when she went to leave it wouldnt start. i got it home and got on here and found that the crank,cam sensors would keep it from cranking. so i replaced both crank sensors and the cam pos sensor. still turns over fine but doesnt start. when i turn the key to on the fuel pump starts then stops, i have ran a wire to the fuel pump and it runs fine, i hooked a multimeter up to the coils and fuel injectors and no power to them. it seems that something that controls all of them is not letting power to them. i hope its not the ecu but sounds like it to me. could bad wiring to one of the sensors cause all 3 to not have power? any help would be great thanks chuck
have a question on my daughters 96 max. she drove it to work and when she went to leave it wouldnt start. i got it home and got on here and found that the crank,cam sensors would keep it from cranking. so i replaced both crank sensors and the cam pos sensor. still turns over fine but doesnt start. when i turn the key to on the fuel pump starts then stops, i have ran a wire to the fuel pump and it runs fine, i hooked a multimeter up to the coils and fuel injectors and no power to them. it seems that something that controls all of them is not letting power to them. i hope its not the ecu but sounds like it to me. could bad wiring to one of the sensors cause all 3 to not have power? any help would be great thanks chuck
Good luck.
#6042
Hello everyone,
I am obviously new here and I am having some issues with my girlfriend's sister's car. It needs to pass emissions and the check engine light is on, so we got the codes read. P0403 and P0405, I've searched and it comes up with EGR insufficient flow, etc. I found the thread that details how to remove everything and clean it, but I have another question. Since the issue seems to be carbon buildup would running seafoam through the motor be a viable option or worth a shot? Would I have to wait for the motor to get up to operating temperature to go into "open loop" so the EGR valve is open? (not sure if that is the correct terms)
Thanks for any help,
Paul
Edit to add: It was also having an intermittent no start problem and I replaced the starter, hasn't happened since. Probably unrelated, but worth throwing out there. It is a '96 as well.
I am obviously new here and I am having some issues with my girlfriend's sister's car. It needs to pass emissions and the check engine light is on, so we got the codes read. P0403 and P0405, I've searched and it comes up with EGR insufficient flow, etc. I found the thread that details how to remove everything and clean it, but I have another question. Since the issue seems to be carbon buildup would running seafoam through the motor be a viable option or worth a shot? Would I have to wait for the motor to get up to operating temperature to go into "open loop" so the EGR valve is open? (not sure if that is the correct terms)
Thanks for any help,
Paul
Edit to add: It was also having an intermittent no start problem and I replaced the starter, hasn't happened since. Probably unrelated, but worth throwing out there. It is a '96 as well.
#6043
The best thing to do is to clean out the EGR guide tube at the back of the upper intake manifold. It is probably clogged and needs a good cleaning out. Get a couple cans of throttle body cleaner and get it cleaned out. Some have used seafoam and had success and some have seen worse symptoms. I personally do everything manually.
#6044
Can anyone tell me, step by step instructions on how to change the check engine light bulb on a 96 maxima? Pictures would be great. Or can anyone tell me where to find the answer? I don't know anything about cars but I'm willing to try whatever I have to so I won't have to pay $100 bucks.
#6045
Can anyone tell me, step by step instructions on how to change the check engine light bulb on a 96 maxima? Pictures would be great. Or can anyone tell me where to find the answer? I don't know anything about cars but I'm willing to try whatever I have to so I won't have to pay $100 bucks.
Pmohr has a youtube channel with a bunch of useful stuff. Check it out.
#6046
Hey all! New owner as most of us are...got an automatic 96 with 215k on it as a daily driver. has some problems that i can fix, but one that leaves me wondering is the transmission. usually shifting from 1st to 2nd under some acceleration its really delayed. The actual shifting seems to be kinda funky too, laggy i guess. no engine codes related to tranny. Checked the tranny fluid the levels looked good and the color didnt throw any flags to me.
Anyone have any ideas?! Appreciated!
Anyone have any ideas?! Appreciated!
#6047
Hey all! New owner as most of us are...got an automatic 96 with 215k on it as a daily driver. has some problems that i can fix, but one that leaves me wondering is the transmission. usually shifting from 1st to 2nd under some acceleration its really delayed. The actual shifting seems to be kinda funky too, laggy i guess. no engine codes related to tranny. Checked the tranny fluid the levels looked good and the color didnt throw any flags to me.
Anyone have any ideas?! Appreciated!
Anyone have any ideas?! Appreciated!
THe troubleshooting procedure in the FSM always states to start with the TPS. U can check this with a multimeter. I think your drop resistor may be the culprit. U can order one from http://www.courtesyparts.com/. I think its located on the driverside strut tower facing the airbox.
If its a shift solenoid, that is in the tranny and it may be less expensive to jus replace tranny. good lucks
#6048
Hey everyone
have a question on my daughters 96 max. she drove it to work and when she went to leave it wouldnt start. i got it home and got on here and found that the crank,cam sensors would keep it from cranking. so i replaced both crank sensors and the cam pos sensor. still turns over fine but doesnt start. when i turn the key to on the fuel pump starts then stops, i have ran a wire to the fuel pump and it runs fine, i hooked a multimeter up to the coils and fuel injectors and no power to them. it seems that something that controls all of them is not letting power to them. i hope its not the ecu but sounds like it to me. could bad wiring to one of the sensors cause all 3 to not have power? any help would be great thanks chuck
have a question on my daughters 96 max. she drove it to work and when she went to leave it wouldnt start. i got it home and got on here and found that the crank,cam sensors would keep it from cranking. so i replaced both crank sensors and the cam pos sensor. still turns over fine but doesnt start. when i turn the key to on the fuel pump starts then stops, i have ran a wire to the fuel pump and it runs fine, i hooked a multimeter up to the coils and fuel injectors and no power to them. it seems that something that controls all of them is not letting power to them. i hope its not the ecu but sounds like it to me. could bad wiring to one of the sensors cause all 3 to not have power? any help would be great thanks chuck
EDIT:
I mispoke. It actually may be ECM. There is no pcm
Last edited by cashoit; 07-12-2010 at 08:23 AM.
#6049
Hey I was wondering if anyone here could help
I blew a fuse installing a new ignition switch for my 97 maxima When I went to tighten the top screw to connect the swtich to the ignition, it sparked and then bam no lights onthe dash no nothing except powerdoor locks on and int lights help what fuse do i check??
I blew a fuse installing a new ignition switch for my 97 maxima When I went to tighten the top screw to connect the swtich to the ignition, it sparked and then bam no lights onthe dash no nothing except powerdoor locks on and int lights help what fuse do i check??
#6050
I Need your help Maxima.org, My car been stalling if i put into reverse, drive for couple mins it stall, got a code for camshaft position sensor, change it first time part from auto zone, drive 15 mins code came back on and stall, next i change Temperature sensor, still stall, then i went back to auto zone to get another cam sensor, STILL STALL, Tomorrow i'll picking up one from a deal Cam sensor, i hope it will work, please help me i dont know what to do at this point, out of work and broke and car is broking down on me!! grrg
#6051
newbie question
I searched and searched but couldn't find my exact problem. My car 95 gle automatic sometimes idles fine but then sometimes will idle up to 1500 and rev up and down and when it does this i get a hard shift from first to second gear. I just bought the car and I hope I did'nt buy a p.o.s. I don't know much about cars sorry. It also has the timing chain rattle i did find that in my search. Pls help guys i really need to get this fixed. Sorry if I pissed anyone off just really need some help figuring out what this is. Oh I forgot to mention that my check engine light was probably disconnected cuz it doesnt even light up at start up so i dont know if their is an error or not.
#6052
Hey I was wondering if anyone here could help
I blew a fuse installing a new ignition switch for my 97 maxima When I went to tighten the top screw to connect the swtich to the ignition, it sparked and then bam no lights onthe dash no nothing except powerdoor locks on and int lights help what fuse do i check??
I blew a fuse installing a new ignition switch for my 97 maxima When I went to tighten the top screw to connect the swtich to the ignition, it sparked and then bam no lights onthe dash no nothing except powerdoor locks on and int lights help what fuse do i check??
#6053
I searched and searched but couldn't find my exact problem. My car 95 gle automatic sometimes idles fine but then sometimes will idle up to 1500 and rev up and down and when it does this i get a hard shift from first to second gear. I just bought the car and I hope I did'nt buy a p.o.s. I don't know much about cars sorry. It also has the timing chain rattle i did find that in my search. Pls help guys i really need to get this fixed. Sorry if I pissed anyone off just really need some help figuring out what this is. Oh I forgot to mention that my check engine light was probably disconnected cuz it doesnt even light up at start up so i dont know if their is an error or not.
Try cleaning TB, MAF, and IACV per how tos. see sig
#6054
Quick question. There is a ticking noise coming from my front, passenger side wheel area. It is present when I am driving and increases in frequency when I speed up and slows when I slow. I think (from what I've read here) that this may be a bad axle. However, I have no other reasoning, since there appears to be no damage to the boots at all. What's up?
Also, I have discovered that on my drivers side rear brake pads, that they are wearing oddly. The pads have worn on an angle. Holding them upright/vertically, on one pad the top is more worn and the bottom is much thicker. For the pad on the opposite side of the rotor, the top is thicker and the bottom is thinner. What could be the culprit?
Also, I have discovered that on my drivers side rear brake pads, that they are wearing oddly. The pads have worn on an angle. Holding them upright/vertically, on one pad the top is more worn and the bottom is much thicker. For the pad on the opposite side of the rotor, the top is thicker and the bottom is thinner. What could be the culprit?
#6055
The car stalled out on me today at start up. wouldnt turn over click or do anything then out the blue it started. Thanks for ur response. Do u think this is related to those parts u told me to clean?
#6056
Quick question. There is a ticking noise coming from my front, passenger side wheel area. It is present when I am driving and increases in frequency when I speed up and slows when I slow. I think (from what I've read here) that this may be a bad axle. However, I have no other reasoning, since there appears to be no damage to the boots at all. What's up?
If speed dependent, done any recent work in the area? If so, it could just be a bent dust shield contacting the rotor. If nothing looked out of place in the area, I'd run it in gear up in the air and try to pinpoint the noise, going so far as to remove the brakes from that wheel to see if the noise still occurred.
Also, I have discovered that on my drivers side rear brake pads, that they are wearing oddly. The pads have worn on an angle. Holding them upright/vertically, on one pad the top is more worn and the bottom is much thicker. For the pad on the opposite side of the rotor, the top is thicker and the bottom is thinner. What could be the culprit?
#6057
When it wouldn't even crank, would all of the lights come on in the cluster, as they should when the key is in the ON position? If so, it may be the ignition switch; next time it happens (if it does), try holding the key in the start position and jiggling it around. No crank could also be caused by the inhibitor switch, so you could also try holding the key in the start position and moving the shift lever down through every gear position.
#6058
When it wouldn't even crank, would all of the lights come on in the cluster, as they should when the key is in the ON position? If so, it may be the ignition switch; next time it happens (if it does), try holding the key in the start position and jiggling it around. No crank could also be caused by the inhibitor switch, so you could also try holding the key in the start position and moving the shift lever down through every gear position.
#6060
With such little information, I can only say the first thing you should check out is the CKPS REF, given the code. It's mounted to the upper oil pan, directly underneath the crank pulley.
#6061
Honestly that could be a hundred different things, could even be the ignition switch if it's absolutely worn out, but it's not likely.
With such little information, I can only say the first thing you should check out is the CKPS REF, given the code. It's mounted to the upper oil pan, directly underneath the crank pulley.
With such little information, I can only say the first thing you should check out is the CKPS REF, given the code. It's mounted to the upper oil pan, directly underneath the crank pulley.
ok i will get the ckps from the dealer tomorrow which code was that referring to? and what about the other codes
#6062
Other codes are KS, ECTS, and an emissions code, one bank is running lean. Nothing to worry about until it actually runs, though.
#6064
hey guys..
i got a 96 AT off craigslist and it seemed to be running fine besides that when you switched it to reverse, and gave it a LITTLE bit of gas, there would be a knocking noise from the gears i think.. the guy said it was from all the torque and i stupidly believed him.. it was running great besides that.
after a few weeks i was driving and i think the tranny completely slipped because the rpm just went high and i wasn't going any faster. i thought it was shot so i just parked it. a month or so went by and i had to move my car and i started it just to see what would happen just for fun. and for some reason! it got into gears and reverse even kicked in and drove backwards(when it first happened reverse wouldn't even pop into gear).. i put it in drive and it took off like nothing happened. i drove it around the block and it was running ok from what seemed to happened.. i had to move it once more and the reverse again one even go into gear, but goes in all the rest of the gears.
so i was pretty much wondering if it has something else to do besides the transmission, i got that priced and 1700 is outta my budget.
and 1 more thing to add, when i first got it, it wouldn't lock into to gears correctly from the shifter. 1 would easily slip to 2. same for 2 into D. meaning i didn't have to push the button to change the gear it would just move up.
thanks for your time!!!!
i got a 96 AT off craigslist and it seemed to be running fine besides that when you switched it to reverse, and gave it a LITTLE bit of gas, there would be a knocking noise from the gears i think.. the guy said it was from all the torque and i stupidly believed him.. it was running great besides that.
after a few weeks i was driving and i think the tranny completely slipped because the rpm just went high and i wasn't going any faster. i thought it was shot so i just parked it. a month or so went by and i had to move my car and i started it just to see what would happen just for fun. and for some reason! it got into gears and reverse even kicked in and drove backwards(when it first happened reverse wouldn't even pop into gear).. i put it in drive and it took off like nothing happened. i drove it around the block and it was running ok from what seemed to happened.. i had to move it once more and the reverse again one even go into gear, but goes in all the rest of the gears.
so i was pretty much wondering if it has something else to do besides the transmission, i got that priced and 1700 is outta my budget.
and 1 more thing to add, when i first got it, it wouldn't lock into to gears correctly from the shifter. 1 would easily slip to 2. same for 2 into D. meaning i didn't have to push the button to change the gear it would just move up.
thanks for your time!!!!
#6065
hey guys..
i got a 96 AT off craigslist and it seemed to be running fine besides that when you switched it to reverse, and gave it a LITTLE bit of gas, there would be a knocking noise from the gears i think.. the guy said it was from all the torque and i stupidly believed him.. it was running great besides that.
after a few weeks i was driving and i think the tranny completely slipped because the rpm just went high and i wasn't going any faster. i thought it was shot so i just parked it. a month or so went by and i had to move my car and i started it just to see what would happen just for fun. and for some reason! it got into gears and reverse even kicked in and drove backwards(when it first happened reverse wouldn't even pop into gear).. i put it in drive and it took off like nothing happened. i drove it around the block and it was running ok from what seemed to happened.. i had to move it once more and the reverse again one even go into gear, but goes in all the rest of the gears.
so i was pretty much wondering if it has something else to do besides the transmission, i got that priced and 1700 is outta my budget.
and 1 more thing to add, when i first got it, it wouldn't lock into to gears correctly from the shifter. 1 would easily slip to 2. same for 2 into D. meaning i didn't have to push the button to change the gear it would just move up.
thanks for your time!!!!
i got a 96 AT off craigslist and it seemed to be running fine besides that when you switched it to reverse, and gave it a LITTLE bit of gas, there would be a knocking noise from the gears i think.. the guy said it was from all the torque and i stupidly believed him.. it was running great besides that.
after a few weeks i was driving and i think the tranny completely slipped because the rpm just went high and i wasn't going any faster. i thought it was shot so i just parked it. a month or so went by and i had to move my car and i started it just to see what would happen just for fun. and for some reason! it got into gears and reverse even kicked in and drove backwards(when it first happened reverse wouldn't even pop into gear).. i put it in drive and it took off like nothing happened. i drove it around the block and it was running ok from what seemed to happened.. i had to move it once more and the reverse again one even go into gear, but goes in all the rest of the gears.
so i was pretty much wondering if it has something else to do besides the transmission, i got that priced and 1700 is outta my budget.
and 1 more thing to add, when i first got it, it wouldn't lock into to gears correctly from the shifter. 1 would easily slip to 2. same for 2 into D. meaning i didn't have to push the button to change the gear it would just move up.
thanks for your time!!!!
More than likely it's the trans itself, even if it was a solenoid pack issue by driving it with it slipping that badly, it'll be time for a 'new' trans anyway. FWIW, they're readily available in most any junkyard for pretty cheap, and doesn't require much in the way of tools to replace.
And yes, it's normal for the shift lever to operate like that. You should be able to go from manual low all the way up to neutral without needing to use the button, same with reverse to neutral. However coming from/going into park, neutral into reverse, and going from drive down you need to use it.
#6066
Have you checked the trans fluid condition and level? Know if it's ever been serviced? Throwing any trans related codes, or is the OD OFF indicator flashing when you start it up?
More than likely it's the trans itself, even if it was a solenoid pack issue by driving it with it slipping that badly, it'll be time for a 'new' trans anyway. FWIW, they're readily available in most any junkyard for pretty cheap, and doesn't require much in the way of tools to replace.
And yes, it's normal for the shift lever to operate like that. You should be able to go from manual low all the way up to neutral without needing to use the button, same with reverse to neutral. However coming from/going into park, neutral into reverse, and going from drive down you need to use it.
More than likely it's the trans itself, even if it was a solenoid pack issue by driving it with it slipping that badly, it'll be time for a 'new' trans anyway. FWIW, they're readily available in most any junkyard for pretty cheap, and doesn't require much in the way of tools to replace.
And yes, it's normal for the shift lever to operate like that. You should be able to go from manual low all the way up to neutral without needing to use the button, same with reverse to neutral. However coming from/going into park, neutral into reverse, and going from drive down you need to use it.
i haven't checked the fluid, but i took it in to get it diagnosed and the guys said it's SHOT and there were few pieces in the oil pan.. and for getting serviced i have no idea i got this off craigslist.. As for the codes, i don't know how to bring them up, do you need a tool? and the OD light never came up unless i pressed the button.
i looked at a nearest pick-a-part a while ago and no luck! :[ and thats good to know about the shift lever, i just wanted to make sure that it wasn't messed up. my last car was stick and sadly this one isn't =[
would it cost more/be any harder to just buy a MT trans and put that in there?
#6067
[quote=pmohr;7642433]Honestly that could be a hundred different things, could even be the ignition switch if it's absolutely worn out, but it's not likely.
I figured out my ignition switch is going bad when I jiggle it worked. But I'm still having a problem with the car revving up sometimes and its been stalling out when I'm at a stop or about to take off. I just bought this car and got ripped off I feel like. I took it to try and get a diagnostics and they said they couldnt cause the check engine had been removed they said take it to the dealership(95).How can I tell what model my car is?Doesnt say on the title. I call the dealership to take it in and they wont touch a car over ten years old. So now my car is doing all this and I cant even get it diagnosed to find out where the problem is coming from. I'm so stuck and dont know what to do. This situation has me really stressed out.
I figured out my ignition switch is going bad when I jiggle it worked. But I'm still having a problem with the car revving up sometimes and its been stalling out when I'm at a stop or about to take off. I just bought this car and got ripped off I feel like. I took it to try and get a diagnostics and they said they couldnt cause the check engine had been removed they said take it to the dealership(95).How can I tell what model my car is?Doesnt say on the title. I call the dealership to take it in and they wont touch a car over ten years old. So now my car is doing all this and I cant even get it diagnosed to find out where the problem is coming from. I'm so stuck and dont know what to do. This situation has me really stressed out.
#6068
i have two maximas,a auto and a 5speed i noticed that when i am driving the auto i can go 80mph and the rpm is at 2800-3000 but with the 5speed when i am going 80mph the rpm is at 4000 is this normal or do i need too fix something?i am feeling like the engine is not relaxed.the auto is a 1999 and the 5speed is a 1997 if that helps let me know guys,thanks
#6069
It would be 'harder' than just replacing the auto, yes. There's a bunch more work involved, but it's a 99% bolt-in 'modification'/upgrade. Due to the added labor (assuming you aren't doing it all yourself) and parts, it would likely cost a significant amount more. IMO, not worth doing unless you're ready to drop a bunch of money into it, or you're doing it yourself.
I figured out my ignition switch is going bad when I jiggle it worked. But I'm still having a problem with the car revving up sometimes and its been stalling out when I'm at a stop or about to take off. I just bought this car and got ripped off I feel like. I took it to try and get a diagnostics and they said they couldnt cause the check engine had been removed they said take it to the dealership(95).How can I tell what model my car is?Doesnt say on the title. I call the dealership to take it in and they wont touch a car over ten years old. So now my car is doing all this and I cant even get it diagnosed to find out where the problem is coming from. I'm so stuck and dont know what to do. This situation has me really stressed out.
#6070
i have two maximas,a auto and a 5speed i noticed that when i am driving the auto i can go 80mph and the rpm is at 2800-3000 but with the 5speed when i am going 80mph the rpm is at 4000 is this normal or do i need too fix something?i am feeling like the engine is not relaxed.the auto is a 1999 and the 5speed is a 1997 if that helps let me know guys,thanks
Using a quick online calculator, 4k RPM in 5th should be roughly at 97 MPH. ~3200 RPM sounds better for 80 MPH in 5th gear.
This is of course assuming that you're riding on something somewhat similar to stock size tires.
#6071
If you rev up the engine does this noise occur (and does it occur at idle), or only when moving? If it's RPM dependent and not speed, I'd take my first guess at something contacting the crank pulley, belts, or one of the accessories, or just a timing chain noise.
If speed dependent, done any recent work in the area? If so, it could just be a bent dust shield contacting the rotor. If nothing looked out of place in the area, I'd run it in gear up in the air and try to pinpoint the noise, going so far as to remove the brakes from that wheel to see if the noise still occurred.
More than likely the guide pins are bound up in the caliper bracket. Do they move freely, or require some effort?
If speed dependent, done any recent work in the area? If so, it could just be a bent dust shield contacting the rotor. If nothing looked out of place in the area, I'd run it in gear up in the air and try to pinpoint the noise, going so far as to remove the brakes from that wheel to see if the noise still occurred.
More than likely the guide pins are bound up in the caliper bracket. Do they move freely, or require some effort?
As for the caliper guide pins, they moved ok. There wasn't much grease on them and they were pretty rusted so I re-greased them and put it back together. Will the pads begin to wear evenly now? or will they wear out prematurely because of the angled wear? If I do have to replace them early, is it best to do them in pairs or fours or just the one? The other pads have probably about half their life in them still.
Thanks a bunch.
#6072
80 MPH @ 4k RPM seems to me like you're in 4th, and not 5th. Regardless, the 5MT will keep the engine revved up a bit higher than the auto on the highway, just the nature of the chosen gear ratios.
Using a quick online calculator, 4k RPM in 5th should be roughly at 97 MPH. ~3200 RPM sounds better for 80 MPH in 5th gear.
This is of course assuming that you're riding on something somewhat similar to stock size tires.
Using a quick online calculator, 4k RPM in 5th should be roughly at 97 MPH. ~3200 RPM sounds better for 80 MPH in 5th gear.
This is of course assuming that you're riding on something somewhat similar to stock size tires.
#6074
Then, take out the old one and put the new one in. That should make it work fine (I'm assuming that your speakers are fine).
#6075
http://forums.maxima.org/audio-electronics-21/
http://forums.maxima.org/audio-elect...nt-thread.html
Last edited by memphisballer; 07-15-2010 at 08:44 AM.
#6076
I changed the CKPS and the ECTS and it started up fine
#6077
While checking the fusible link box next to the battery I noticed that one of the 30A fusible links was in a blank slot. I moved it to a slot that was missing a link: RAD FAN1
RAD FAN2 already had a 30A fusible link placed there. I did that 2 weeks ago and since then my car stalls while idling. It only does this in the afternoon while the AC is running. With the AC running both cooling fans will be operating.
With the car stalling in drive I put it in neutral then opened the hood. I removed the 30A link in RAD FAN1 and both the fans slowed down but kept running. With both cooling fans running slower the car no longer stalls while idling.
Why do both cooling fans operate with only 1 of the two 30A fusible links inserted? To solve this stalling issue should I just keep the 30A fusible link in RAD FAN 1 removed?
RAD FAN2 already had a 30A fusible link placed there. I did that 2 weeks ago and since then my car stalls while idling. It only does this in the afternoon while the AC is running. With the AC running both cooling fans will be operating.
With the car stalling in drive I put it in neutral then opened the hood. I removed the 30A link in RAD FAN1 and both the fans slowed down but kept running. With both cooling fans running slower the car no longer stalls while idling.
Why do both cooling fans operate with only 1 of the two 30A fusible links inserted? To solve this stalling issue should I just keep the 30A fusible link in RAD FAN 1 removed?
#6078
just wanted to thank you guys for the help i was able to obtain from this site
i just finished changing the knock sensor in my '96 i30, and let me say i hope that i never have to do it again. tried using a wrench and contortionist skills but couldn't get enough leverage to break the bolt loose. ended up using a ratchet with 2 extensions and a joint at the end. thanks to the warnings posted, i made sure i had mechanics gloves so that i just have bruises and scrapes instead of stitches lol
on top of the extreme hesitation, the car would sputter at low rpms and had a good bit of power loss (felt like it was cut in half). the symptoms only appeared frequently when the engine was hot, barely ever when i would first start it up.
Edit: something was wrong the same time as the bad ks, do not know what it is yet. car runs way better though with the new ks!
i just finished changing the knock sensor in my '96 i30, and let me say i hope that i never have to do it again. tried using a wrench and contortionist skills but couldn't get enough leverage to break the bolt loose. ended up using a ratchet with 2 extensions and a joint at the end. thanks to the warnings posted, i made sure i had mechanics gloves so that i just have bruises and scrapes instead of stitches lol
on top of the extreme hesitation, the car would sputter at low rpms and had a good bit of power loss (felt like it was cut in half). the symptoms only appeared frequently when the engine was hot, barely ever when i would first start it up.
Edit: something was wrong the same time as the bad ks, do not know what it is yet. car runs way better though with the new ks!
Last edited by strik9; 07-22-2010 at 01:39 PM.
#6079
97 Maxima Blown Head Gasket? Need Help! Please!
Hi, I'm not new here but I hardly ever post. I just look for stuff and read up usually. I did search around threads and posts about my problem and couldn't find the direct answer... just bits and pieces that look like they may be my answer... anyways here's the story...
I was driving over to a buddy's house and my MAF was acting up like it had been the last couple days here (the CEL was on) and there (well I'm saying its my MAF because I had the same symptons before and swapped out with a used MAF but I guess it either A. got dirty again or B. was dying) so then on my way over the MAF starts acting up and I can't rev past 2800-2900 rpm and I'm just cruising as slow as possible (I'm in an automatic) just so I can at least make it to my friends house and park it there till I could fix it... So as I'm exiting the freeway and I slow down, the revs drop and my car stalls and shuts off. I try to turn it on again and the start is really rough and kept choking so i gave it a bit of gas to get the revs up and the car starts and then i hear a loud *POP* in the engine bay and white smoke/steam comes out from under the hood.. and I'm like oh god... but the car continues to run (my friend was another half mile) and made this weird grating type noise like when a diesel truck is at a stop, so I kept driving it and then more white smoke came out and I took a look at the temp gauge and the car was overheating like mad so I stopped at my friends place to park. On my way there at a stop light it started dropping revs again and i power braked it to keep the revs up or else the car was gonna stall again.
After I park it, I let it cool off for several hours and went out to check it. There was coolant all over the place when I lifted the hood, the reservoir was empty, and the radiator looked like it was probably empty. I checked the oil dipstick and it looked muddy and dark and it looked like it was the "chocolate milk" sign. I went on .org to check if it was the head gasket but I saw that there were other answers to the problem like the water pump (which hadn't been replaced in the last 100K miles or so I'm thinking since I got it as a hand-me-down), ects, t-stat, and things like that. (which I don't think have been replaced in a long time either) I tried to make it home in it which was like 6 miles.. and the car overheats once after about 3 miles on the freeway and I exit... then I hit a stop light, it stalls again, i re-start it and park somewhere to cool it off in which i waited an hour and half and then proceeded to make it home in one piece. I didn't notice any leaks because of where I park its already dark with oil, coolant, and water leaks but I checked today to see if there was and i didn't see anything. I'm sorry I'm kind of a noob about these things thats why I'm always on here to try to learn and do DIYs.
A lot of the basic symptoms point to the head gasket... what do you guys think? How can I make sure of this? Is it worth the fix? I just got a bunch of stuff in the car fixed in the last year like new radiator, rebuilt trans, new starter, tune-up, new tires, brakes, etc. I've probably spent well over what the car is worth and it looks like engine swap might be the best idea in this scenario... tell me what you guys think. please help!!
My car is a 97 Maxima with 272k miles and was running strong till this happened. If costs look like its gonna be too much, I might just sell it as is... my poor baby.
I was driving over to a buddy's house and my MAF was acting up like it had been the last couple days here (the CEL was on) and there (well I'm saying its my MAF because I had the same symptons before and swapped out with a used MAF but I guess it either A. got dirty again or B. was dying) so then on my way over the MAF starts acting up and I can't rev past 2800-2900 rpm and I'm just cruising as slow as possible (I'm in an automatic) just so I can at least make it to my friends house and park it there till I could fix it... So as I'm exiting the freeway and I slow down, the revs drop and my car stalls and shuts off. I try to turn it on again and the start is really rough and kept choking so i gave it a bit of gas to get the revs up and the car starts and then i hear a loud *POP* in the engine bay and white smoke/steam comes out from under the hood.. and I'm like oh god... but the car continues to run (my friend was another half mile) and made this weird grating type noise like when a diesel truck is at a stop, so I kept driving it and then more white smoke came out and I took a look at the temp gauge and the car was overheating like mad so I stopped at my friends place to park. On my way there at a stop light it started dropping revs again and i power braked it to keep the revs up or else the car was gonna stall again.
After I park it, I let it cool off for several hours and went out to check it. There was coolant all over the place when I lifted the hood, the reservoir was empty, and the radiator looked like it was probably empty. I checked the oil dipstick and it looked muddy and dark and it looked like it was the "chocolate milk" sign. I went on .org to check if it was the head gasket but I saw that there were other answers to the problem like the water pump (which hadn't been replaced in the last 100K miles or so I'm thinking since I got it as a hand-me-down), ects, t-stat, and things like that. (which I don't think have been replaced in a long time either) I tried to make it home in it which was like 6 miles.. and the car overheats once after about 3 miles on the freeway and I exit... then I hit a stop light, it stalls again, i re-start it and park somewhere to cool it off in which i waited an hour and half and then proceeded to make it home in one piece. I didn't notice any leaks because of where I park its already dark with oil, coolant, and water leaks but I checked today to see if there was and i didn't see anything. I'm sorry I'm kind of a noob about these things thats why I'm always on here to try to learn and do DIYs.
A lot of the basic symptoms point to the head gasket... what do you guys think? How can I make sure of this? Is it worth the fix? I just got a bunch of stuff in the car fixed in the last year like new radiator, rebuilt trans, new starter, tune-up, new tires, brakes, etc. I've probably spent well over what the car is worth and it looks like engine swap might be the best idea in this scenario... tell me what you guys think. please help!!
My car is a 97 Maxima with 272k miles and was running strong till this happened. If costs look like its gonna be too much, I might just sell it as is... my poor baby.
Last edited by ImprezaRx7Lvr; 07-18-2010 at 09:01 PM.
#6080
I checked the grounds and voltages on these fan relays and found there was a voltage drop. With no accessories ON the battery would read 14.2V while idling. I turned on the AC to get the fans operating at low speed and the volatge would drop to 13.4V. I pulled fusible link FAN1 for 20 seconds to warm up the coolant. This would click on fan relays 2 & 3. I inserted the link back to get the fans operating at high speed. The volatage would now drop to 13.2V. The volatge would slowly drop further over the next 5 minutes. This explains why the engine stalls after driving for about 30 minutes in this hot weather.
Using the FSM I found these relays to be grounded at E5. This connector is located to the right of the fusible link box. Those dozen black wires were crimped onto a rusted connecor covered in battery acid. I over charged my previous battery at times so when I replaced it last year this is one area I never cleaned. I scrubbed down the connector then resoldered the connection. I also mounted an extra crimped GND wire going straight to the NEG lead.
With the fans operating at high speed I know read 14.2V. I drove for 35 minutes with the AC on with no idle stalling. The gears were also changing quicker at lower RPMs.
Two years ago I added on several hand made low guage GND wires but that didn't keep me out of this problem. That just tells me that cleaning and/ or replacing the existing grounded wires makes more of a difference than adding new GND wires.
Using the FSM I found these relays to be grounded at E5. This connector is located to the right of the fusible link box. Those dozen black wires were crimped onto a rusted connecor covered in battery acid. I over charged my previous battery at times so when I replaced it last year this is one area I never cleaned. I scrubbed down the connector then resoldered the connection. I also mounted an extra crimped GND wire going straight to the NEG lead.
With the fans operating at high speed I know read 14.2V. I drove for 35 minutes with the AC on with no idle stalling. The gears were also changing quicker at lower RPMs.
Two years ago I added on several hand made low guage GND wires but that didn't keep me out of this problem. That just tells me that cleaning and/ or replacing the existing grounded wires makes more of a difference than adding new GND wires.