A Maxima with a lot of annoying intermittent problems
10-14-2012, 01:45 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 91
A Maxima with a lot of annoying intermittent problems
97 GLE, 168k miles, automatic.
To put it bluntly, my Maxima is starting to **** me off. As much as it hurts to say that. One problem is fixed and another problem arises. I almost dread driving it because I don't want to deal with another intermittent problem or new problem, which is sad because you're supposed to love your car right? Well I have a list of little problems my max has and was hoping people could throw some ideas at me for how to fix them... thanks for any help guys:
1. The brakes. Sometimes when I press the brakes, the brake pedal rattles and vibrates against my foot. It's as if the ABS is turning on when it's not even neccessary, it happens on dry pavement. Sometimes it happens when I'm braking hard, sometimes it happens when I'm braking gently. Sometimes it happens when I'm moving fast, sometimes when I'm slow. Whether the roads is dry or wet, or whether it's uphill or downhill. The brakes just have a mind of their own in terms of when it wants to vibrate. I googled around and heard that it's probably the rotors warped. Changed the rotors 2 days ago and changed the pads to high performance pads while i was at it. It still just happened this morning. The brake pedal vibrates, and it makes a little humming sound. Drives me insane and I don't know what causes it.
Also another brake thing, I thought it was the rotors too. Sometimes, again sometimes, when I let go of the brake to accelerate off a green light for example, it grinds. It's as if the pads and rotors are grinding and moaning. But again, brand new pads and rotors. So I don't know what causes that either. It only happens when I release the brakes from a full stop, not when I press them. So annoying.
2. The steering. (Maybe related to #1?) Sometimes it moves on its own slightly when I press the brakes, and when I release the brakes from a full stop. And when I press the brakes say on the highway to slow down abruptly (not to a screeching halt or anything), the car wobbles a little as if I'm on ice. Thought this was warped rotors causing an imbalance when I brake. Nope. Still happens after changing the pads and rotors. Not sure what that is. It's intermittent too.
3. Intermittent sound from the trunk/back of the car. Sounds like something hitting against plastic when I go over small bumps in the road. Kind of like the sound of the seatbelt in the back seat hitting against something, but it's not. I'm not sure if it's coming from the trunk or maybe under the seat or something? Again it's intermittent. I could go weeks without hearing it, and then out of this blue, this morning, the sound returns. Struts and mounts are fine. Drives me insane.
4. Left headlight. Intermittently turns itself on and off. Sometimes when I start the car the light turns on. Sometimes it doesn't. When I turn the headlights ON, it works fine. When I turn the highbeams on, it works fine. When I turn the headlights OFF, instead of being dimmed, it turns off. So basically:
1. Turn on car, both lights on (SOMETIMES)
2. Turn on headlights, both likes on (ALWAYS)
3. Turn off headlights, left light turns off completely (90% of the time)
The right headlight is perfectly fine. Also, just put in new bulbs for both last month.
Oh and the back taillight does the same thing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. (The red light closest to the inside, not the outside. The one on the trunk). Drives me insane.
5. Engine buildup. There's dark stains appearing ontop of the engine. Not sure if this is normal or if this may be some type of carbon buildup that needs to be cleaned out? It's gotten worse and worse over the past 2-4 months:
6. Interior light fuse blowing over and over. I tried searching the forum for this one especially a lot but couldn't find a solution. This fuse blows more than a street hooker, and it's extra annoying because 7.5 mini fuses are so hard to find, they love to only come in 5's or 10's in the stores I check. Anyways, the fuse blows for no apparent reason. It will work for weeks and weeks and then one day just blow. I'll replace it, and it might blow 5 minutes later or 5 days later. There's no pattern to it. And the illumination lights for the climate control don't light up at all even when the fuse is working. Everything else (gauge cluster, window switches, clock, etc) work fine.
7. Audio wiring. (Maybe related to #6?). There's currently no stereo in my car right now and I bought it used that way because I thought it would be simple enough to plug the Bose stereo in that the seller gave to me along with the car and have it work. Nope. Doesn't power on. Neither do 2 other non-Bose stereos that came with the car. I took it to an audio specialist and he somehow re-routed power directly from the battery and tested each stereo. He said the Bose stereo is totally dead and the other 2 won't be compatible with the car since they're not Bose. Said I have to get an aftermarket stereo with a harness specific for my car. He also said the pink wire wasn't getting any power, which should have ongoing power. Is he right? Is an aftermarket deck the only option here? Or can the car be rewired to work with one of the decks I already have?
That's all I can think of for now.. I'm sure I'll realize something else the next time I drive it. Sorry for the long *** post haha.
Any help would be much appreciated!
To put it bluntly, my Maxima is starting to **** me off. As much as it hurts to say that. One problem is fixed and another problem arises. I almost dread driving it because I don't want to deal with another intermittent problem or new problem, which is sad because you're supposed to love your car right? Well I have a list of little problems my max has and was hoping people could throw some ideas at me for how to fix them... thanks for any help guys:
1. The brakes. Sometimes when I press the brakes, the brake pedal rattles and vibrates against my foot. It's as if the ABS is turning on when it's not even neccessary, it happens on dry pavement. Sometimes it happens when I'm braking hard, sometimes it happens when I'm braking gently. Sometimes it happens when I'm moving fast, sometimes when I'm slow. Whether the roads is dry or wet, or whether it's uphill or downhill. The brakes just have a mind of their own in terms of when it wants to vibrate. I googled around and heard that it's probably the rotors warped. Changed the rotors 2 days ago and changed the pads to high performance pads while i was at it. It still just happened this morning. The brake pedal vibrates, and it makes a little humming sound. Drives me insane and I don't know what causes it.
Also another brake thing, I thought it was the rotors too. Sometimes, again sometimes, when I let go of the brake to accelerate off a green light for example, it grinds. It's as if the pads and rotors are grinding and moaning. But again, brand new pads and rotors. So I don't know what causes that either. It only happens when I release the brakes from a full stop, not when I press them. So annoying.
2. The steering. (Maybe related to #1?) Sometimes it moves on its own slightly when I press the brakes, and when I release the brakes from a full stop. And when I press the brakes say on the highway to slow down abruptly (not to a screeching halt or anything), the car wobbles a little as if I'm on ice. Thought this was warped rotors causing an imbalance when I brake. Nope. Still happens after changing the pads and rotors. Not sure what that is. It's intermittent too.
3. Intermittent sound from the trunk/back of the car. Sounds like something hitting against plastic when I go over small bumps in the road. Kind of like the sound of the seatbelt in the back seat hitting against something, but it's not. I'm not sure if it's coming from the trunk or maybe under the seat or something? Again it's intermittent. I could go weeks without hearing it, and then out of this blue, this morning, the sound returns. Struts and mounts are fine. Drives me insane.
4. Left headlight. Intermittently turns itself on and off. Sometimes when I start the car the light turns on. Sometimes it doesn't. When I turn the headlights ON, it works fine. When I turn the highbeams on, it works fine. When I turn the headlights OFF, instead of being dimmed, it turns off. So basically:
1. Turn on car, both lights on (SOMETIMES)
2. Turn on headlights, both likes on (ALWAYS)
3. Turn off headlights, left light turns off completely (90% of the time)
The right headlight is perfectly fine. Also, just put in new bulbs for both last month.
Oh and the back taillight does the same thing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. (The red light closest to the inside, not the outside. The one on the trunk). Drives me insane.
5. Engine buildup. There's dark stains appearing ontop of the engine. Not sure if this is normal or if this may be some type of carbon buildup that needs to be cleaned out? It's gotten worse and worse over the past 2-4 months:
6. Interior light fuse blowing over and over. I tried searching the forum for this one especially a lot but couldn't find a solution. This fuse blows more than a street hooker, and it's extra annoying because 7.5 mini fuses are so hard to find, they love to only come in 5's or 10's in the stores I check. Anyways, the fuse blows for no apparent reason. It will work for weeks and weeks and then one day just blow. I'll replace it, and it might blow 5 minutes later or 5 days later. There's no pattern to it. And the illumination lights for the climate control don't light up at all even when the fuse is working. Everything else (gauge cluster, window switches, clock, etc) work fine.
7. Audio wiring. (Maybe related to #6?). There's currently no stereo in my car right now and I bought it used that way because I thought it would be simple enough to plug the Bose stereo in that the seller gave to me along with the car and have it work. Nope. Doesn't power on. Neither do 2 other non-Bose stereos that came with the car. I took it to an audio specialist and he somehow re-routed power directly from the battery and tested each stereo. He said the Bose stereo is totally dead and the other 2 won't be compatible with the car since they're not Bose. Said I have to get an aftermarket stereo with a harness specific for my car. He also said the pink wire wasn't getting any power, which should have ongoing power. Is he right? Is an aftermarket deck the only option here? Or can the car be rewired to work with one of the decks I already have?
That's all I can think of for now.. I'm sure I'll realize something else the next time I drive it. Sorry for the long *** post haha.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Last edited by FreshRichie; 10-14-2012 at 01:48 PM.
10-14-2012, 02:46 PM
#3
My manifold had the same buildup when i got it. Whole engine bay was nasty. Spray it with purple power and use a tooth brush or something to scrub the grime off. Then give it a good hosing. Worked great for me. Good luck.
10-14-2012, 04:22 PM
#4
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 91
10-14-2012, 07:41 PM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
1 and 2 sound familiar to me. Have you checked your rear brakes recently?
Mine were gone, and were doing that to me. I turned my front rotors and replaced the pads twice thinking they were the problem. Found out while I was doing an extensive disassembly of my '96 SE to fix a laundry list of problems.
ETA: 5 - looks normal to me, and I've been looking at the engine of the thing for 12 years now.
Mine were gone, and were doing that to me. I turned my front rotors and replaced the pads twice thinking they were the problem. Found out while I was doing an extensive disassembly of my '96 SE to fix a laundry list of problems.
ETA: 5 - looks normal to me, and I've been looking at the engine of the thing for 12 years now.
10-14-2012, 09:42 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 91
1 and 2 sound familiar to me. Have you checked your rear brakes recently?
Mine were gone, and were doing that to me. I turned my front rotors and replaced the pads twice thinking they were the problem. Found out while I was doing an extensive disassembly of my '96 SE to fix a laundry list of problems.
ETA: 5 - looks normal to me, and I've been looking at the engine of the thing for 12 years now.
Mine were gone, and were doing that to me. I turned my front rotors and replaced the pads twice thinking they were the problem. Found out while I was doing an extensive disassembly of my '96 SE to fix a laundry list of problems.
ETA: 5 - looks normal to me, and I've been looking at the engine of the thing for 12 years now.
Actually I remembered my hand brake doesn't work either and maybe that has something to do with it. The rear left caliper was seized but I got that replaced last month, but the hand brake still doesn't work. He said it's probably a bad brake line. But would that cause the grinding sound?
And thank God that engine grime isn't a problem haha.
10-15-2012, 06:47 AM
#7
1 & 2: sound like a sticking caliper. especially since the car turns slightly when you put on the brakes in some cases. one caliper is braking harder than the other.
3: If this is the noise I'm thinking of it's been on all 3 of my nissans. Sometimes you go over a bump and it sounds exactly like you said. I've always suspected the trunk to be involved somehow but maybe someone else can shed more light on this issue.
4: I'm not sure what would be causing it but if it was me, since you can reproduce the problem, I would take a voltmeter and unplug the headlight and then test the voltage on the wires when its working and when its not working. Then trace backwards from there until you find the lose connection, etc.
5: That's normal.
6&7: Not sure, don't know much about audio wiring.
3: If this is the noise I'm thinking of it's been on all 3 of my nissans. Sometimes you go over a bump and it sounds exactly like you said. I've always suspected the trunk to be involved somehow but maybe someone else can shed more light on this issue.
4: I'm not sure what would be causing it but if it was me, since you can reproduce the problem, I would take a voltmeter and unplug the headlight and then test the voltage on the wires when its working and when its not working. Then trace backwards from there until you find the lose connection, etc.
5: That's normal.
6&7: Not sure, don't know much about audio wiring.
10-15-2012, 01:47 PM
#8
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 91
1 & 2: sound like a sticking caliper. especially since the car turns slightly when you put on the brakes in some cases. one caliper is braking harder than the other.
3: If this is the noise I'm thinking of it's been on all 3 of my nissans. Sometimes you go over a bump and it sounds exactly like you said. I've always suspected the trunk to be involved somehow but maybe someone else can shed more light on this issue.
4: I'm not sure what would be causing it but if it was me, since you can reproduce the problem, I would take a voltmeter and unplug the headlight and then test the voltage on the wires when its working and when its not working. Then trace backwards from there until you find the lose connection, etc.
5: That's normal.
6&7: Not sure, don't know much about audio wiring.
3: If this is the noise I'm thinking of it's been on all 3 of my nissans. Sometimes you go over a bump and it sounds exactly like you said. I've always suspected the trunk to be involved somehow but maybe someone else can shed more light on this issue.
4: I'm not sure what would be causing it but if it was me, since you can reproduce the problem, I would take a voltmeter and unplug the headlight and then test the voltage on the wires when its working and when its not working. Then trace backwards from there until you find the lose connection, etc.
5: That's normal.
6&7: Not sure, don't know much about audio wiring.
10-15-2012, 02:28 PM
#9
With a car in that condition your grounds must be shot. I would clean all of them and perhaps add a ground kit. In the engine bay, any wire that attaches directly to the body or engine is a ground connection. Get one of those metal tooth brushes to give them a good clean. I once had a sentra with mysterious headlight behavior. It turned out to be that the fusebox behind the drivers side headlight had gotten so rusted, badly affecting the electrical connections. I gave the connections a good clean and that brought that car back to life.
The dark stains on top of the motor? Yeah, carbon buildup.Also, your upper intake manifold gasket is done and needs replacing. If you were to go hard core, you wold take the manifold off, replace all gaskets, UIM, lower IM, valve covers, clean the EGR and IACV. replace the knock sensor. Oh and clean the Throttle body
The 4th gen is a very reliable car, so it may be worth all the work. Of course north east winters can take their toll, as apparently they have with your car.
Also, look into TCW3. this thread has it. It does wonders for cleaning carbon buildup;
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...troke-oil.html
The dark stains on top of the motor? Yeah, carbon buildup.Also, your upper intake manifold gasket is done and needs replacing. If you were to go hard core, you wold take the manifold off, replace all gaskets, UIM, lower IM, valve covers, clean the EGR and IACV. replace the knock sensor. Oh and clean the Throttle body
The 4th gen is a very reliable car, so it may be worth all the work. Of course north east winters can take their toll, as apparently they have with your car.
Also, look into TCW3. this thread has it. It does wonders for cleaning carbon buildup;
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...troke-oil.html
10-15-2012, 07:47 PM
#11
that is the dirtiest vq i've ever seen bar none. man o man, you've got issues, and that mileage is'nt $hit for our cars. you need to spend a whole lot of time and just clean the $hit outta that block and check all of ur grounds as op have said and you might be able to trace where you problems are coming from. good luck
10-15-2012, 09:28 PM
#12
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 91
that is the dirtiest vq i've ever seen bar none. man o man, you've got issues, and that mileage is'nt $hit for our cars. you need to spend a whole lot of time and just clean the $hit outta that block and check all of ur grounds as op have said and you might be able to trace where you problems are coming from. good luck
10-16-2012, 11:37 PM
#16
10-18-2012, 12:29 PM
#18
Tires badly out of round? Rotate front to back and see if brake pulsation persists. If it changes after tire rotation, then its your tires.
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