My max has a cold start problem. Only in winter(I live in Chicago)my car has a problem starting. When I start it I have to give it gas to keep it running. After I do this it idles fine and I can restart my car without a problem. I do not have the CEL light on. I think it is a sensor, only which one. Input Please!

 

Sounds like your starter is going bad like mine.

 

my car is the same

 

It definately not the starter. It sounds more like the car is choking out. Like its not getting the right mixture. The car turns over fine.

 

It's not water freezing in the gas lines is it? Aside from that I would check the IACV Idle Air COntrol Valve. DOn't know much else to recommend. Good luck. It's not your starter for sure. IF the car starts; the starter has done it's job.

 

Does this only happen on the first start in the A.M.? If you haven't cleaned your throttle body then do a search for this. A dirty T.B. could be the cause.

 

I will try this. thank you

 

Clean your throttle body!

www.motorvate.ca

 

Check the coolant temperature censor. That is the auto. choke on fuel injected engines. Thats bad the car will stall when cold.

 

i had the same exact problem. If you're having starter problems you'll get a weak crank or starter noise (sounds like wheezing donkey). I just cleaned my throttle body and replaced crappy Bosch spark plugs to the platinum NGK OEMs and now everything is perfect. starts everytime with no hesitation in below freezing temps. also, check for dirty fuel filter and turn the key to 'on' position for 10sec. to let fuel pressure build up before cranking. dont freak out cause most Maxima owners experience this same problem in cold weather.

hope this helps!

 

Every ECU on a Maxima comes preset from the factory. When you do a cold start like you do in Chicago, your ECU runs in closed loop, meaning it runs on what it was told to run with from the factory (ie. it ignores all sensors and readings.) Since you are in the "cold" area of the US, this closed loop program does not work as best as it does down here in the south. Hence why it might stall out. Since the engine is so cold and it is ingoring the sensors, it may shut off. It just depends on how cold it is and ofr how long your engine has been off.

When you stated that after idle it is fine, your ECU has switched over to the open loop program and is reading all sensors and it will compensate for the extreme cold weather, hence why the idle is fine.

So your problem is basically normal. If you want to some-what correct the problem, the only thing to do is to turn the idle up on your car. You need to get a Haynes or Chilton's manual, it will tell you how to. Doing this will increase the idle of the engine so that it will not stall out at start-up.

It is not a starter problem. The only known starter problem are that with the 95/96 Maximas, relating to the starter making a very loud screeching noise, kinda like slipping belts.

BTW, cleaning your throttle body will help with the idle, but it is most likely not the cause of your cold start problem.