My Maxima Journey
05-16-2012, 03:51 PM
#1
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
My Maxima Journey
I came to USA for my higher studies in August last year. In my country only Mercedes or BMW have engines more than 3000cc. When I decided to buy a cheap car(I am a student 
) , one of my friend told me that one of his friend wants to sell a 96 Maxima GLE for 3700. Well for me Nissan was always an alien word. We never had any Nissan vehicles back home.
I did a test drive and loved the car coz of its raw power and looks(the car had issues though).I told him I only have 1000 dollars to spend on a car but the guy said NO and I forgot about it. After that I did a lot of research about Maximas and started to fell in love with them.
After some days the guy called me up and told me that he can sell it in 1700(May be he couldn't sell it in 3700 lol).
Well I was strictly on low budget and told him that for the current condition of the car I cannot shell more than 1100 dollars and he hung up. He again called and sold the car to me in 1100 dollars.
She has 130k on her. Not much work done on her except for tires and battery change in 2009 by second owner. Everything is stock. I am the third owner. The First owner sold it to the second owner in Sept. 2009 at 95000 miles. The second owner put 35k miles in 2 years and sold it to me in Dec 2011.
The Issues with the car:
1
Bose Head unit was busted: No Radio
2Strange noise from belt area: Crankshaft pulley was broke.
3Rusted Fenders: Both
4Check Engine Light on: I had no clue what that is.
5Rusted Radiator Support: Cross-Member is hanging low disconnected
6Car wont start in one key twist: Ignition switch problem
7Struts/Suspension making noise on bumps.
8Low engine oil, low coolant/ low steering fluid/ Grrrrr
low everything.
9Cracked windshield.
I didn't know half of the things.
Well then I started looking for fixes for these issues and came to maxima.org and I am telling you guys :: You are Awesome !!
-I have followed instructions on How To page and:
-I have fixed Bose Radio by replacing bad resisters.
-I have replaced crank pulley myself by following instructions(Huge PITA).I used a breaker bar to open the pulley bolt. It broke two cheap breaker bars and didnt budge.Then I bought one from sears(craftman 1/2 18 inch) and bolt moved in 7-8th try.
-I have replaced ignition switch and car starts in one go.
-Diagnosed CEL: Bad oxygen sensor LH and Knock sensor, replaced/diagnosed by following instructions.
-Changed engine oil/filter/air flter and topped up everything.
-Replaced knock sensor by following instructions.
Next Project: I have ordered radiator support and fenders. Will replace them this week or next weekend. Then I will replace windshield and suspension parts when I get some money this summer.
Guys, thank you very much, this forum rocks and I will never pay anyone to work on my car. I have learned a lot and will try my best to give back to the community.
Dinesh
) , one of my friend told me that one of his friend wants to sell a 96 Maxima GLE for 3700. Well for me Nissan was always an alien word. We never had any Nissan vehicles back home.I did a test drive and loved the car coz of its raw power and looks(the car had issues though).I told him I only have 1000 dollars to spend on a car but the guy said NO and I forgot about it. After that I did a lot of research about Maximas and started to fell in love with them.
After some days the guy called me up and told me that he can sell it in 1700(May be he couldn't sell it in 3700 lol).
Well I was strictly on low budget and told him that for the current condition of the car I cannot shell more than 1100 dollars and he hung up. He again called and sold the car to me in 1100 dollars.
She has 130k on her. Not much work done on her except for tires and battery change in 2009 by second owner. Everything is stock. I am the third owner. The First owner sold it to the second owner in Sept. 2009 at 95000 miles. The second owner put 35k miles in 2 years and sold it to me in Dec 2011.
The Issues with the car:
1
Bose Head unit was busted: No Radio2
Strange noise from belt area: Crankshaft pulley was broke.3
Rusted Fenders: Both4
Check Engine Light on: I had no clue what that is.5
Rusted Radiator Support: Cross-Member is hanging low disconnected6
Car wont start in one key twist: Ignition switch problem7
Struts/Suspension making noise on bumps.8
Low engine oil, low coolant/ low steering fluid/ Grrrrr low everything.9
Cracked windshield.I didn't know half of the things.
Well then I started looking for fixes for these issues and came to maxima.org and I am telling you guys :: You are Awesome !!
-I have followed instructions on How To page and:
-I have fixed Bose Radio by replacing bad resisters.
-I have replaced crank pulley myself by following instructions(Huge PITA).I used a breaker bar to open the pulley bolt. It broke two cheap breaker bars and didnt budge.Then I bought one from sears(craftman 1/2 18 inch) and bolt moved in 7-8th try.
-I have replaced ignition switch and car starts in one go.
-Diagnosed CEL: Bad oxygen sensor LH and Knock sensor, replaced/diagnosed by following instructions.
-Changed engine oil/filter/air flter and topped up everything.
-Replaced knock sensor by following instructions.
Next Project: I have ordered radiator support and fenders. Will replace them this week or next weekend. Then I will replace windshield and suspension parts when I get some money this summer.
Guys, thank you very much, this forum rocks and I will never pay anyone to work on my car. I have learned a lot and will try my best to give back to the community.
Dinesh
Last edited by din4204u; 05-16-2012 at 11:40 PM.
05-16-2012, 11:26 PM
#9
Congrats on being the only new member that actually uses the how to's and search function.
No seriously, I'm sure we all appreciate it.
Welcome to the org. Seems like you've got a good start fixing your new Maxima up. These cars are worth every dime in my opinion.
Do you have any pictures?
No seriously, I'm sure we all appreciate it.
Welcome to the org. Seems like you've got a good start fixing your new Maxima up. These cars are worth every dime in my opinion.
Do you have any pictures?
05-16-2012, 11:36 PM
#10
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
I am from India.
She had 130000 miles on it and the engine is still very powerfull. I have driven many Asian cars including most of Toyotas but never felt so special.
I am the third owner, the first owner treated her like a baby girl but the second owner abused her
in every possible way. I mean how hard is to put windshield washer fluid when you can clearly see it flashing on the gauge ? I guess he was into Honda, he bough a Accord and sold his Maxima to me.
Whenever I go back home, I will take her along with me (The import duty in India is 120%)
I have to do a lot of work on her.
Yesterday the odometer stopped working. It shows the correct RPM and speed but the total miles and trip miles are not moving. I have to check whats wrong with that. Any clue ?
Lemme go out and take a few pictures :P
Dinesh
She had 130000 miles on it and the engine is still very powerfull. I have driven many Asian cars including most of Toyotas but never felt so special.
I am the third owner, the first owner treated her like a baby girl but the second owner abused her
in every possible way. I mean how hard is to put windshield washer fluid when you can clearly see it flashing on the gauge ? I guess he was into Honda, he bough a Accord and sold his Maxima to me. Whenever I go back home, I will take her along with me (The import duty in India is 120%)
I have to do a lot of work on her.
Yesterday the odometer stopped working. It shows the correct RPM and speed but the total miles and trip miles are not moving. I have to check whats wrong with that. Any clue ?
Lemme go out and take a few pictures :P
Dinesh
Last edited by din4204u; 05-16-2012 at 11:44 PM.
05-17-2012, 12:07 AM
#12
Ha, trust me as long as he treats her right, the engine will be the least of his worries.
Give this man a medal.
Congrats on being the only new member that actually uses the how to's and search function.
No seriously, I'm sure we all appreciate it.
Welcome to the org. Seems like you've got a good start fixing your new Maxima up. These cars are worth every dime in my opinion.
Do you have any pictures?
No seriously, I'm sure we all appreciate it.
Welcome to the org. Seems like you've got a good start fixing your new Maxima up. These cars are worth every dime in my opinion.
Do you have any pictures?
Give this man a medal.
05-17-2012, 12:09 AM
#13
I am from India.
She had 130000 miles on it and the engine is still very powerfull. I have driven many Asian cars including most of Toyotas but never felt so special.
I am the third owner, the first owner treated her like a baby girl but the second owner abused her in every possible way. I mean how hard is to put windshield washer fluid when you can clearly see it flashing on the gauge ? I guess he was into Honda, he bough a Accord and sold his Maxima to me.
Whenever I go back home, I will take her along with me (The import duty in India is 120%)
I have to do a lot of work on her.
Yesterday the odometer stopped working. It shows the correct RPM and speed but the total miles and trip miles are not moving. I have to check whats wrong with that. Any clue ?
Lemme go out and take a few pictures :P
Dinesh
She had 130000 miles on it and the engine is still very powerfull. I have driven many Asian cars including most of Toyotas but never felt so special.
I am the third owner, the first owner treated her like a baby girl but the second owner abused her
in every possible way. I mean how hard is to put windshield washer fluid when you can clearly see it flashing on the gauge ? I guess he was into Honda, he bough a Accord and sold his Maxima to me. Whenever I go back home, I will take her along with me (The import duty in India is 120%)
I have to do a lot of work on her.
Yesterday the odometer stopped working. It shows the correct RPM and speed but the total miles and trip miles are not moving. I have to check whats wrong with that. Any clue ?
Lemme go out and take a few pictures :P
Dinesh
Shes just a baby! I bet the Engine isnt even fully broken in yet!
05-17-2012, 12:30 AM
#14
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
Some Pics: http://imageshack.us/g/696/29185697.jpg/
Hahaha...I will take care of her and Thank for the Medal
I would need some real inspiration while replacing rusted radiator support next week.
Yes the engine is kinda virgin. The first owner kept it in his garage for years before deciding that he wont use it and sold it.
The outer looks doesn't justify the 130k miles on her.
Dinesh
Hahaha...I will take care of her and Thank for the Medal
I would need some real inspiration while replacing rusted radiator support next week.
Yes the engine is kinda virgin. The first owner kept it in his garage for years before deciding that he wont use it and sold it.
The outer looks doesn't justify the 130k miles on her.
Dinesh
05-17-2012, 09:35 AM
#16
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
05-17-2012, 08:00 PM
#17
Glad to hear you are liking the 4th gen you acquired after the owner couldn't get his original asking price...lol. Speedometer could just be loose solder contacts. Search more and you will come across something...
Welcome to the .org
Welcome to the .org
05-17-2012, 11:17 PM
#19
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 9
I have carfax report(Clean) and I am pretty much sure that the miles are not more than 132000. I have all of the maintenance and replacement records which are consistent with the miles. Anyways, there is always a remote chance of contamination but I think the engine is rock solid, no issues at all.
I will have a look at the odometer after removing it from the dashboard this weekend.
Dinesh.
I will have a look at the odometer after removing it from the dashboard this weekend.
Dinesh.
05-19-2012, 11:48 PM
#21
Congrats on being the only new member that actually uses the how to's and search function.
No seriously, I'm sure we all appreciate it.
Welcome to the org. Seems like you've got a good start fixing your new Maxima up. These cars are worth every dime in my opinion.
Do you have any pictures?
No seriously, I'm sure we all appreciate it.
Welcome to the org. Seems like you've got a good start fixing your new Maxima up. These cars are worth every dime in my opinion.
Do you have any pictures?
Welcome dinesh, you'll enjoy the max
good value for the money - well at least for that last asking price hahaha 3700 to 1100just wondering what are you studying and which part of india if you don't mind me asking? my best friend from college is indian (Sikh), and he's been teaching me about india. recently he got baptized (vegetarian, no drinking or smoking and no 420
lol)
Last edited by carsnwomen91; 05-19-2012 at 11:50 PM.
05-20-2012, 11:00 PM
#22
haha. Looks like a mild project (body-wise) and like she has potential 
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