I was driving to the praking lot today and didn't see the dip so I went over it pretty fast (25-30 mph). The car dipped down and then I kept on going and suddenly the car just shut off. I tried started it again, and it would start but then it would eventually die again, it's as if the car wasn't getting any gas. How would hitting a dip at 30 mph cause the car to just turn off like that? Any ideas? Any fixes? Any help is greatly appreciated, I'm currently stuck at Cisco and have to drive back home 50 miles away later. *sigh* Thanks.

 

Check the manual about a "fuel shutoff" switch. If so equiped, might have activated and therefore no turnover.

 

What exactly happened? By 'dipped down' I mean? Like bottomed-out?

if it was a jarring 'hit' something may have gotten loosened...

 

Check the battery terminals and the cable ends?

 

have you popped your hood yet to check all connections to the intake piping, battery connections, etc?

If the engine moved somewhat during the big dip and you have a cai, it could have dislodged something.

 

You have a good point. I will check that. I don't think it's the battery though because I can still roll down the windows and stuff. Basically I went over a dip and I my car dipped, it didn't bottom out, it didn't scrap or anything, just like a big "bang".. as if I drove over a huge pot hole. Thanks for your input, hopefully it's just my CAI.

 

I didn't see one of those when I was looking through the manual, but I'll keep checking. Thanks!!

 

Do a quick visual inspection along the length of your exhaust, you may have crushed part of it making it impossible for the engine to breath... How guarded are the fuel lines on the max??

Phoenix1911

 

I will give that a try, there's still smoke coming out of the exhaust so I'm pretty sure it's breathing fine but I'll check that as well. Thanks!

 

After having it towed 50 miles back to San Francisco, I finally had a chance to plug in the OBD2 cable into my car and laptop. I checked the codes and it said that I had a "mass air flow" problem. I'm not really sure what that means. Any ideas? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

I would be willing to bet you've blown your MAF sensor. Are you throwing an SES light? Did you try to reset the code with your OBD2?

 

I'm getting a check engine light, no I haven't tried resetting the code, I'll try that now. Thanks.

 

Something similar happened to me when I blew my MAF sensor. I was merging with traffic and took my car up to the redline then the SES light came on and my engine shut off. I pulled over and tried to start the car repeatedly. The car would start then immediately shut of within 2 to 3 seconds. Almost like it wasn't getting enough gas. I then unplugged the battery for a minute then reattached the negative cable and started the car up. The car started fine however when I was driving it the engine wouldn't rev over 2300 RPM's. At this point I knew for sure that I had blown my MAF...

 

I just tried resetting the code, I turned on the car and then the check engine light came on again. Man, I hope the MAF sensor didn't blow. Maybe it came loose or something. I'll try to get the whole CAI reassembled again tonight to see if that will solve the problem. Thanks, I'll keep you guys posted.

 

Yeah, that sounds like the exact same symptoms I'm having. I guess time to pick up a new MAF sensor. Thanks

 

I just talked to one of those guys at the dealer and they said that alot of people are having that problem with the MAF sensor. The MAF sensors on the Maxima's are VERY sensitive. If you have an aftermarket intake system, you have a very good chance of damaging it over time. There is a 70k, 7 year warentee on it but you have to install your stock intake back on before you take it back to the dealer.

 

Your suffering from the Lery syndrome..ive blow 4 MAF's..on my 5th one now.

 

Lery Syndrome? You've blown 4 MAF???? WOAH... How did you manage to do that?? Isn't that very costly? 1 MAF = $500 x 4 = $2000 just on MAF?? What kind of intake do you have?

 

Maf thread

check that out if you wanna read up on some of the latest MAF news...

 

huh $500 for a MAF... I just replaced mine and it was $110 Canadian... so that around $76 US? or so...

Phoenix1911...

 

Thanks chinaonnitrous1! I shoulda did a search. Only $100 for MAF?? Gee, the dealer is ripping me off. I called a few dealers and they all said $488.

 

Remember, there is a difference between a MAF unit and just the sensor part.

DaveB should be a big help here.

 

I can help too..i buy all mine from him. hahahahaah. But the 2k/2k1 maf is about 80 bucks or so. For some stupid god awful reason the identical part for the 2k2 is 490ish. I belive the MAF unit is the entire section with the tube. The Sensor itself is the little thingy that is in the middle of the tube (where the harness plugs into) I may be wrong because i paid for the 80 dollar 2k1 MAF and I got the whole tube.

 

hmmmmm....

 

I'm pretty sure it comes with the tube, 80 on a 2k1? Ok, now I know the dealers are BSing me.. I have a 2k, then it should only be $80, not $488.

 

The sensor itself (no housing) for the 2k/2k1 models is around $80. For 2002 and up, they only sell the sensor with the entire MAF housing. You can't buy 'just the sensor' like you can on the 2k/2k1 models. The 2k2/2k3 MAF run around $488 which is absolutely outrageous. Make sure your tech is giving you the right part no. There's a big difference.

 

I just talked to one of the techs at Nissan today, they said they just dropped the price like a few days ago to $103. It use to be $488. I asked him why the sudden steep drop, he said he didn't know.

 

Well, it's finally fixed!! Man, I miss driving my car... The dealer just replaced the MAF sensor and everything works perfectly! Thanks to everyone for helping me figure out what was wrong!

 

I finally got my MAF replaced yesterday after waitng 2 weeks for the part to come in...

Engine idles perfectly now and I can feel some more power on acceleration... $110 cdn for the part on a 2000, and I asked for the old one because some people were able to revive the MAF with a good cleaning... Its a tube with a sensor hanging in the middle and a gasket is what I got back in the box...

Phoenix1911

 

Cool! Damm, I can't believe it took you 2 weeks to get the MAF. Good deal, as long as it got fixed. My dealer told me to get a spare one just in case if I was going to leave my after market CAI.