Perseverance

Alright, let's see if you can help me troubleshoot. 1995 Maxima starts hard during the first 20 minutes from the engine being cold. You have to pump it with gas every time to get it started, weather doesn't matter. If the engine is cold for a few hours it takes a couple tries before it starts. Sometimes when I turn the ignition over it does nothing but show me I have power. It's now leaving me stranded. It also idles hard as well. This has been going on for a couple years, its now getting worse. Recently the I replaced the starter and had the battery charged. Where shall I start?

Maxima 97 SE

You might have a leaking injector that has a broken pintle cap which holds the o-ring in place to stop fuel from leaking into the cylinder and which helps maintain a perfect fuel spraying pattern for the injector which will give your car that smooth idle. If the o-ring breaks you no longer get the perfect spraying pattern and you get a rough idle which is like a misfire and your spark plug will be drenched in fuel and will turn black because the injector is dumping alot of fuel instead of the right amount fuel. Also when you turn the car off, the pressure that is built up by the fuel pump and the fuel pressure regulator is held by the fuel injectors and if you do have that bad injector all the fuel pressure will leak pas that broken o-ring and pintle cap and just fall onto spark plug making it wet and ruining its life and falling into the cylinder which will cause backfire because it has raw unburned fuel in it.

Perseverance

Thank you, I'll check it out.

JvG

The IACV valve needs cleaning or replacement. Cleaning worked for me.

The Intake Air Control Valve job is to deal with a cold engine.

Your symptoms are getting worse because it's Autumn and it getting colder.

Good news is that all you need is time and some carburetor spray.

JvG

Re-read your post.

You mention pumping the gas prior to turning the key. This used to work with the older carburetor cars.
This does not work with fuel injection.

You have also mentioned battery and charging system issues.

My theory is that your iacv has been getting worse for quite a while. It is ok in summer, not winter.

The hard starting means that the battery is under extra stress. Also batterys are not as efficient when they are cold.

Start with cleaning the iacv. Instructions can be found by searching.

Perhaps the battery needs to be replaced.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

I think you may have a few issues going on.

1) No response from the ignition - Check the ignition switch, it's a common failure item.
2) Hard starts when cold - Check the Engine Coolant Temp Sensor.
3) Rough idle - Check coils, spark plugs and injectors.

cashoit

could be the ECTS, might need to clean MAF, TB, and IACV. Sounds like you need a tune up

Perseverance

I know this is late. This what I found out. My car wouldn't start without pumping the gas because the fuel filter needed to be replaced. Thank you for your help.

bumpypickle

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for posting the solution to your problem. Most people never follow up on their own threads.