So I have a 99 nissan maxima 5 speed. Recently my car started sputtering on acceleration. It gets to the point when i roll into the throttle it starts sputtering and the car is no longer fun to drive .... So has anyone experienced this? I do have a scan tool and read the O2 values and bank 2 was pretty erratic. I replaced it and still the same problem.

 

the only things that come to mind are fuel pump, fuel filter, coils, or spark plugs. i would start with fuel filter and plugs, but it sounds like maybe your fuel pump might be going out...

 

mostl likely ignition coils, take out each harness on every coil, if, by doing so you feel a diff. that coil is good, if all stays the same after unplugging that coil change it

 

coils !!!
-99maxcades

 

+1 On the coils, I had this problem with my 240 back in the day and turned out to be the rotor in the dizzy. I know theres no distributor here but the point is this sounds like a spark problem. Hope this helps!

 

My vote is the coils too. Coils are the only issue I have had on my maxima. I have had it for 9 years and have replaced coils three different times. I only replace the bad ones.

 

I'm a noob here but just out of curiosity would the car throw a misfire code if it was the coils? I'm having the same issue with my 95 max, no code thats says misfife, but I noticed this after I used an injector cleaner additive through the tank so I'm thinking filter n plugs to start

 

I had this issue as well.
If it's a MT 5speed I changed my spark plugs and the low end seemed to really smooth out on acceleration . My plugs were over due around 75K on them. Also clean all your grounds and that improved the idle.

After the spark plug change be sure to clear all codes. That also helped. Now the codes have been gone for a while.

 

Fuel pump for me

 

ok heres what ive done so far... O2 sensor and spark plugs. I had an issue with my cat rotting out and I replaced it. I dont think its a clogged cat. the coils looked fine. On the boot of the plug there was some slight melting, but not on the coil itself. When I accelerate its really bad. Bogging and it makes this sputtering sound in my exhaust. I have a catback from Lous Custom and you can really hear it I have no misfire code though.. I have a snap on modis and its not showing a misfire count. I'm just not really familiar with these cars.

 

Replace the coils because during Idle they might be working properly but under load they are probably not firing properly. I've had a similar issue turned out to be coil on 6 cyl i had no misfire code but it was just running bad under acceleration

 

what is the easiest way to test the coils? my car sputters like said above when i am really low on fuel. i looked at the coils and they all seem fine. i also replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter but still have the problem when low on fuel. in the process of replacing spark plugs.

 

ask a nissan dealer for coil specs, or a friend at a shop? haha. this sucks because I wanna sell this car. I'm the original owner and its got 148k on the clock but I wanna downsize. I guess I'll try coils and a fuel pump.

 

you can't tell the condition of coils by looking at them.

my instinct is bad coils. same symptoms as you are having... buy a cheap set of used good coils on the .org and swap them out and I bet your problem goes away.

 

i had that same **** and found a burn mark on my coils they were arking .so i got some electrical tape and wrapt up the stems in 3 layers of elc. tape just rold it on went up,down then up again and so the tape would not come undone put some high temp. epoxy on top of it all just a lil bit and spread it over the whole job so it was just a thin film of it to hold every thing in place and wala...no more prob! so check ur coils

ive ben hiting the streets with that job done for 6 months now and the tape is still on there tight thanx to the epoxi and no ark

 

Everyone may have a different issue that can cause this issue. For me, I needed to change my fuel filter but there was another time I needed to change my spark plugs.

 

k so far this is what i got. 36psi fuel pressure and it peaks at 42psi. if i disconnect the regulator it jumps up to 48psi. all in spec. I checked continuity on the coils and it is coming in spec. I changed the fuel filter, spark plugs and o2 sensors. The funny thing is that when the car is cold it doesn't seem to do the sputtering on acceleration, but when its warm it gets real bad. any input? no one has ever had this problem?

 

For me, the same symptoms were a bad coil. The car would run perfectly for the first few minutes but as soon as it started to warm up it would get sputtery and weak, and rumble at idle.

I'd imagine this is due to the common tendency of electronics to function better at cooler temperatures.

 

You may also check the Knock sensor. I had a bad coil and it was also throwing a code for the knock sensor. I replaced the coil and it ran better but still has some sputtering. I received my new Knock sensor off of ebay (will save a lot of money) and I installed it. No more sputter. My old knock sensor had a nice big crack down one of the sides. It is worth looking at. That sputtering is lame!

 

had the same exact problem and it was coilpacks, you should replace plugs and packs and see where it leads to. Good luck

 

Trust us, it's the coilpacks. Looking at them means squat. Even coilpacks that test fine can be bad (I'm speaking from experience). Swap with someone if possible, or buy a good used set here on the org. IMO, you're wasting your time/money with the other items first.

 

i had this same problem.
it's surprising to see no one suggested MAF.
i replaced my MAF and it completely stopped.

 

It throws a code for a lazy o2 even though I replaced it ahhh I guess I'll try coilpacks and a MAF

 

im not saying dont take the coils into consideration, but i had the same prob, like sometimes i would hit the gas from a stop and the whole car would like bog/sputter...ide have to get it to like 3 grand and then go....i changed my knock sensor..and it stopped....but you dont have a knock sensor code....so just my .02

 

A numerous amount of memebers are selling a set of used OEM coils on 4th GEN classifieds right now. I baught a set earlier this year from another member and they've all worked fine. Before that I tried a set of aftermarket coils I baught off ebay and they only lasted 20 miles.