Hey guys, I've been trying to search this topic but no luck so here is the issue.

In cold snowy weather, my maxima (96 SE Auto) has an issue of starting. It doesn't do this all the time during this weather condition but rather randomly.

Here is what happened tonight.

I start up the maxima and it fires up but hesitates just a bit. Kind of strange so I then try for another start, turn the key it cranks and almost starts but the engine just doesn't fire up.

After a few more tries, I pump the gas pedal, keep the gas pedal down, turn the key to the right and doing this after a few times gets the Maxima to start up but I then notice a really rich fuel smell. I let the car run for awhile and it has no problem cranking after this.

This same issue happened about 1 week and a half ago and was fixed the same way with the gas pedal being pressed down. I also just got a new battery about a week ago.

A few questions:

1. What are the possible causes? (something ignition switch related?) (coolant temp sensor?) etc

2. Is the gas pedal trick a good temp solution for now while I gather a DIY way to fix it or does this need to be fixed ASAP? I just don't want to be stuck in a location one day. Normally it does not snow in Western WA much but this year has been a huge abnormality.

Thank you ahead of time.

 

I have a hard time starting my car in the cold mornings too (like 35 degrees and below). Sometimes it will stall as soon as it starts, i will just give it some gas to help the RPM's stay up.

To avoid this, I've found that holding pressure on the break before starting and not letting go till after i put it in gear it usually doesn't stall.

 

it is not a good idea to press the gas upon startup..thats why cars are now fuel injected. If it was carbourated then yes, press away. But you shouldn't have to.

 

I agree, kind of interesting why the gas method works
even though car is not carb.

Well the max did crank and start this morn and stslled
right after. I did another try with gas pedal and it cranked normally.

 

Clean the TB and IACV, it'll help with cold start issues.

 

Do you keep your gas tank atleast 3/4 full? Sometimes when the temperatures fluctuate drastically - especially from warm and sunny to dark and cold - condensation can build up and water will get into the system. Try keeping the tank full and throwing in some fuel line anti-freeze.

 

I have the same trouble starting it in the morning i replace the fuel pump and filter thinking it wasnt getting fuel starting up but no luck is it bad to pump the gas to start it every morning to get it to run can it mess something up more expensive???

 

1. Could be the ECTS (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor) as well.

2. Yes, it's fine as a temporary band aid. Just give it the bare minimum amount of gas though to get and keep in running.

 

There is a TSB about cold starting trouble and one of the suggestions is holding the gas pedal 1/3 of the way down at startup, but being careful not to let the engine race as it starts.

I bought my 95 SE with about 125K miles. As soon as the weather turned cold, I discovered that the ECTS was bad. I replaced it and the cold start problem went away. Now that I am at 249K miles, it seems to be bad again.

On the 95 (I believe this was not present on my 96 but I could be wrong), there is also a large light gray plastic idle screw on the throttle body. I have had some luck in working around the issue by slightly opening that screw (1/8 turn or less). I did that this week and it has helped the problem even though I have not had time to order another ECTS. Perhaps simply cleaning the throttle body would have solved it as well -- I don't know, but it's extremely quick and easy to open that screw a bit.

 

Do you mean the idle adjustment screw on the IACV? The only thing on the TB is a set screw that's adjusted from the factory.

 

Could be -- I thought it was the throttle body. Do you have a link to a diagram I could look at? [Found a diagram in pmohr's FSM link -- Thanks]

What does IACV stand for? I'm acronym challenged!

 

Idle Air Control Valve

 

Idle Air Control Valve.

Here's the IACV adjustment:

 

It's definitely the one on the IACV.

Thanks for the diagram. I had just printed a couple of pages from the FSM and was going to look at the engine at lunch. Your diagram is better and that's definitely the one I adjusted.

 

Thanks from me also

 

My 95 is just the opposite. When the weather gets below freezing, it starts almost instantly. But, when it is warmer, I will crank for a couole of seconds and it will fire, but usually die. I have got to the point when starting when warmer, I just crank thru the momentary firing, or crank on it two to three times. This does not seem to matter if I give it any throttle or not.
Any suggestions on this one?
Thanks, Randy

 

G&Smaxima had the same problem it was the starter going..after we replaced it car had no problem starting

 

I had the same problem... I live in CANADA...

get the best spark plugs.. platinums....
spark + gas + compression = always start
waek spark = grumpy start....

You got compression, cause your car starts and runs..
you got gas, cause you smell it when you flood your engine...
replace you plugs.. maybe your wires (probably not) and you'll solve your problem, permantely.

good luck

 

we have coils not wires.. also, there is already a thread on this.. people have said its because you need another ground on your starter and on your bell housing.. im giving that a try tomorrow because i also have this cold start issue with my 95 se ... heres the other thread read it learn it love it http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ml#post6805741

 

Well mine wants to start and die in cold weather as well. I blame it on a bad cold idle/high idle as my thermal element does not work. I just hold the idle at 1200 or so for 30 seconds and it runs fine after that.

 

yes, clean your throttle body, iacv, and egr tube with throttle body or carb cleaner and wipe out good, replace the old gaskets. Then adjust idle if necessarry. That happened to me all the time last winter. I cleaned these in the spring and so far this winter, it fires right up. I Haven't done anything else to the car since then either.

 

My car too has only once *knock on wood* started and died on a very cold day. Really weird. But I guess if you haven't checked your spark plugs (they don't last forever) get a new set. As mentioned cleaning out the TB and IACV would help out.