Please help! 1997 Nissan Maxima SE Automatic, 128K.
My problem is that after sitting overnight, or all day after work, the car starts, but then dies immediately. It starts right back up and then dies immediately repeatedly, and then after the 3rd attempt and a little gas, it stays on and operates normally. No codes or CEL.
It sounds like a fuel issue to me, but doesn't seem like a bad relay, fuel pump, pressure regulator, or injector. Any suggestions??? Fuel Filter? IAC?
I used to have an old Volvo, and they have fuel pump check valves that actually preload gas into the cylander when you shut off the engine so that there is gas in there ready to go upon the next start. Is there anything comparable to that in these maximas? It seems as if the car is getting no gas immediately after initial start up, but then works normally after the 3rd start/stall.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds like a fuel pressure regulaor issue to me. 80 bucks from autozone.

Symptons of a bad regulator is: if the car sits for a while or overnight, on first attempt the car wont start, and / or die immediately. On second or third attempt the car will start. BUT the car only does this IF it has been sitting. basically the regulator is a check valve and its losing its ability to hold.

If the car does this no matter how long its been sitting then its more a sensor issue. CPS or CKPS.

SEARCH, there are many threads on either issue. Here is the FSM link:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/

 

Clean your throttle body and IACV first.
That may solve your cold starting issue for about 8 bucks.

 

sorry...i shd have went from cheap to expensive fix instead the other way around lol

 

...Had this issue with my '97 auto max...

...happened whether I used my autostart or sat in my car and cranked it...I replaced the fuel filter and viola...

I say try replacing the fuel filter as well as cleaning your TB and IACV (might as well do the EGR valve at this point, since you have everything off anyway)...and see what happens...

 

I used fuel injector cleaner for 2 to 3 times and it worked perfectly to get rid of the exact same problem

 

Clean your crank position sensor.

 

ive had kinda the same problem with my car, but im not sure if its the same. mine has a prblem idling. and i have a bad oxygen sensor. i dont know if you have checked that or not. what you can do (if you can keep it running) is buy a bottle of sea foam from local auto parts store for about $8-$10. Put half in your gas tank and half in your oil (suggested right after fresh oil change) let it run for about 30- 45 min and it should run and idle a little better(:

it doesnt completely fix the oxygen sensor but it saves you about $100 in a replacement part.