Max has been doing a stutter. After searching these message boards I first thought it was the spark plugs. Replaced those. Still does it. Then I tried a new fuel filter. Still does it. Then I replaced the MAF. Still does it. Any suggestions to get my car to stop stuttering?

Next I was going to try the knock sensor. But I have the model that is a pain to get to so I thought I'd ask before I dig in. It seems to only do it when I'm at a certain point in acceleration. Usually doesn't do it staring off or when I'm flooring it. But somewhere in the middle.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Knock sensor is really easy to get to. Just put your hand in and get 10mm wrench and unscrew it. Its really easy.

 

Not if it's a 99 CA spec Max....

OP, did you put in NGK spark plugs?

Can you swap coilpacks with a buddy? You can try testing them, but I've found testing the coilpacks may prove inconclusive.

Have you checked for the silent KS code?

Based on how it stutters upon acceleration, my money is on the coilpacks.

 

Theres a reason why im preemptively buying a new knock sensor and installing it when i do my 00vi swap. Its just not happening with the manifold on.

By shuttering do you mean a misfire? Are you getting codes? If so is the CEL blinking when this happens? Is it constant or only under load, or does it come and go sporatically?

 

@ The Wizard - I'm not sure what kind of spark plugs I used. I just went to Auto Zone and bought some. Also, I don't know of anyone around me that owns a Maxima. So I can't swap coil packs.

@ Wizard & Slamrod - I just took it to a shop today and the KS code did come up. Also, my check engine light has been on for awhile now. I'm not sure if it happens every time I accelerate or not. Sometimes its a weak stutter sometimes its a stronger one.

So do I have to take the manifold off to get to the knock sensor? Do you know of any youtube videos or pictorial how-to's? I've found a few, but they are all for the other models with the easy KS replacement.

 

You should check what brand your sparkplugs are. It's well documented here on the org that Maximas often don't respond to well to non NGK sparkplugs.

For starters, do you have a 1999 Max? and is it CA spec or Fed spec?
The manifold only has to come off for 1999 CA spec Maximas.

If you have a non 99 CA spec Max, you can follow these videos





or this link

http://www.vqpower.com/v3/content/kn...or-replacement

 

@ The Wizard - Yes, its a 1999 CA spec Maxima. I've already watched those videos and there is just so much more crap in the way on mine that it doesn't help.

How hard is it to take the manifold off?

 

Oh, trust me I know...as I have several 99 CA spec Maximas...LOL
Ok, so those vidoes won't apply to you.

Removing the Upper Intake Manifold (UIM) can be tricky the first time, as getting to the two bolts at the back near the firewall is a real pain in the butt. Should take you about an hour if things go smoothly.

Removing the Lower Intake Manifold (LIM) is pretty straight forward, but you have to remove the fuel rail out the way temporarily. Should take you about 20 minutes if things go smoothly.

The best bet might be to download the FSM from my signature and follow the steps there.

Here's a good link. Same procedure to do the NWP LIM spacers as to get to the dreaded KS.

http://www.vqpower.com/images/howto/...DE_4th_gen.pdf

 

Thanks!

I'm somewhere between an beginner and novice at this kind of stuff. So wish me luck!

 

False KS code will pop up with most other codes, What other codes were present? Fix KS last.
Bad KS will not cause stuttering.
Bad MAF would cause a 3,000 RPM Limit.

Most likely plugs or coils. OEM NISSAN coils and NGK plugs only.

 

OP, 99's are notorious for coilpack failure. IMO, the KS could be a byproduct of the bad coils.
A bad KS usually causes a loss in power, not stuttering.

 

i have this same problem. it turns out that my upper intake manifold gasket is leaking so the a/f ratio is off. for a temp. fix i snugged up the bolts untill i can get some time and a place to replace the gasket. and while im in there ill replace the valve cover gaskets and some hoses and some other odds and ends. hope this helps...

 

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have the coilpacks tested before I mess with the knock sensor then.

 

UPDATE:

I put in new NGK spark plugs. The ones I put in were not NGK brand so I bought NGK and put them in. I also tried testing the coil packs but I don't know how accurate it was. I tried something I found on this website testing with a voltmeter. But I couldn't figure it out. So what I did was turned the car on and pulled up one coil pack at a time to see if it would misfire or sputter in some way. There were two in the back that seemed to not do much when I pulled them up so I replaced those. However, the problem is still there. Is this an accurate way to test coil packs?

Also, I ran the codes again and am still getting the P0325 knock sensor and P1335 crankshaft position sensor (REF) code. I didn't know about the P1335 code before, could this have anything to do with it? From what I've read it sounds like a code you get from a starting problem. Which is a problem I don't have.

Thanks again for the help!

 

Clogged cats maybe?

 

yeah it could!
It's the sensor by the oil filter.
Try to the clean the sensor and the connections then reset ecu.

 

Crank senosr would def cause stuttering. Clean it and/or replace it