uhm...weird he is on my ignore list too.... i guess he is Public enemy # 1

 

clispe I didnt see those acrobat pictures of whatever you said to make copies of, any other place I can copy one and take one in? I did read the first 6 pages one day on this, but I figured it didnt concern me and it seems everyone kinda complains bout the loss in a few hp of which they should have, thats what it sounds like this whole thing is about so, having read and said that, I wouldnt mind the ecu update to clear hesitation bewteen 2k-3k, if there is another way to print out those pictures or whatever to bring in to the dealership thatwould be great, thanks in advance.

Sterling

 

Thanks Lonz

 

If you look at the bottom of page one it says 1/5 which means that the TSB contains 5 pages. You need to copy all 5 pages of the TSB and bring it to the attention of the service advisor at the Nissan stealer. That's what I did a couple of days ago and they couldn't deny the problem. My car runs better than new now.

 

Sterling, HERE:
-This one
*NTB03-023: Page 1
*NTB03-023: Page 2
*NTB03-023: Page 3
*NTB03-023: Page 4
*NTB03-023: Page 5
-or This one
*NTB03-022: Pages 2-4

 

-

I printed TSB NTB03-023 since my car is an auto but it also covers manual trannies too. If you have a manual tranny, just print out both and take'em to the stealer I mean dealer and let'em decide which one to use on your car.

 

Bombard them with paperwork And know the specifics of the problem...

 

those links dont work for me, for whatever reason, is there any other way to view these documents or whatever there are besides on acrobat. What exactly does the ecu update do? Thanks again

Sterling

 

Those links probably don't work b/c your computer doesn't have adobe acrobat reader. Go to adobe.com and download adobe for free. I just checked and the links worked for me.

 

But what is "throttle by wire". My car is brand new so i really haven't opened it up yet to notice any hesitation.

 

In vehicles with antiquated technology the accelerator pedal is linked via a cable to the throttlebody, pressing the accelerator physically moves the cable which opens the throttle. In vehicles with superior cutting edge technology, the accelerator pedal is equipped with a potentiometer which sends electrical signals to a servo attached to the throttlebody so when you press the accelerator the throttle moves without a direct mechanical link.

... or something like that

 

{english accent} I say dear Watson...nicely put.

ARFF

 

Tnank you... my next question is why would there be a TSB on the manual transmissions, and not the automatic since both would have this technology.

 

there is a TSB for both... page 5

 

antiquated technology... heh

 

I was wondering, if this tsb, will hurt your car, if you dont really have the hesitation problem?
Will i still see an increase in performance.

 

No it won't hurt and yes you will see performance.

 

Just took my car into the dealership. Had an Injen intake on it and they said as long as my MAF was not aftermarket they would perform the update. So I'm getting the update as we speak. Will post results tommorrow.

Jesse

 

just made an appoinment,
dropping off the car wed morning.

 

Well the dealer (Liberty Nissan in Libertyville, IL) told me that my car is included in this TSB, but they haven't gotten the update CD for their console yet

FYI, they said the update CD's normally come in the first or second week of the month...

 

Why would some dealers already have the software (update) and some not have it YET?

 

Yeah, that sounds a bit bogus to me as well. Call them and talk to someone else...don't use your name or vehicle problem. Ask them if they have the updated Consult II data for 2002-2003 Maximas...if they say yes, then return to the dealership with that info in hand.

 

the guy I made an appointment with on the 7th said he hadnt heard of that bullentin yet, but still made the appointment, I wanna call back and make sure they have this consult 2 data for the 03 max's, that way I dont bring it in and they are like, um we dont have that...he did keep a copy of the first page tho. The guy just looked at it, said so you have this problem I was like well yea, haha, and hes like alrite looks new to me can I keep a copy, said sure and made an appointment for the 7th, nissan dealership in westboro,m.a on rt.9

Has anyone gone there? Oh well gotta call and make sure they got that consult. Is this update on the ECU, I mean I kno its noticable but like does it increase the HP at this range or just kick in better, I dont fully understand what I will get out of this. Just not the hesitation anymore it seems. Cuz unless I am in a low gear I mean I do have good pick up, but I mean if I am going 40 in 4th and at 2100 rpms it does take a while for the car to jump, but thats because its in a higher gear at a lower speed. IDK, I guess I will see the difference after the car is fixed?

Later

Sterling

 

Being a virgin new car owner, i am new to TSB's and the like. Anyone know a good service dealership in this area to get this done... I had some serious issues with the dealership i purchased my 2k3 SE (only a month ago) and would rather not go back to them. I Have the copy of the TSB so it shouldn't be a problem...right?

And thanks to all for this TSB info... i've learned a ton.

 

how long should this take to do by the way? Notice the should if they have the code 2 thing or whatever. Thanks guys

Sterling

 

Update on ECU upgrade. I took 2 dozen donuts into my service advisor which put a huge grin on his face and he was very happy to help me. The tech that took my car for the ECU upgrade notified the Service Manager that I had an aftermarket intake on the car and the manager said he wouldn't do the upgrade. The service advisor told me to put the stock intake back on and bring it back for the upgrade and new MAF if applicable.

Lessons learned = put stock intake on before taking the car in for ECU upgrade and have donuts handy

P.S. The service advisor also told me that he would give me some of the original stock bolts that I've lost.

 

Sorry - I forgot to mention that I went in with a printed copy of the TSB in hand...

 

It's relatively easy to reproduce. The reason people talk about it in LOW gears, is because the ratios are conducive to the engine having a "stronger" effect on the wheels. It CAN happen at lower revs, but when you are at 1,000 RPM in second gear, you can't expect the car to really pull hard right away.

My way:

1) Drive steadily at any speed, or even at idle in the first three gears. I would say second is the best to feel it. First is too torquey I find.

2) Hit the accelerator. Depending on how sensitive you are to the car, do it slowly or quickly.

Do not repeat this right away if it doesn't happen the first time, because for some reason when you double pump the gas, it does not happen as noticeably the second time/press. Wait a bit and try it again. Here is exactly what you will notice:

The car starts to pull properly when you hit the gas a bit. Then all of a sudden, it seems to stop pulling, as if you just took your foot off the gas, and seems to be holding back. You may even hear the engine get loud, but acceleration is far too gradual and slow, until about 3,000 to 3,500 RPM (this varies). Then all of a sudden it responds as if you mashed your foot into the throttle and shoots forward, thus the bucking complaint. In lower gears, this is atrocious, in higher gears on the highway it's irritating. I've had guests notice this as well. It can happen at any time up to 2,000 RPM, from idle speed up, it doesn't necessarily stop as soon as you hit 3,000 RPM, it just doesn't happen as often. And no, the revs do not drop, but they do seem to "try" to.

I can also sometimes replicate the problem by hitting the gas a bit, then gradually lowering my foot, and I hit a "spot" where it does not seem like my foot is going down at all on the throttle, and yet it is, or it is like I raised my foot almost to no throttle!

Now, I've called three dealerships in Toronto, and each have said that the cars are different from U.S. and Canada, the TSB policies are different, the cars have different builds. I basically told my dealership that I do not want the car back if it is not working properly.

I've had enough. I wanted one fun car that was practical before I settled down and became "responsible" and now I'm just fed up. I bought this car over others because I wouldn't need to rev it, and it seems like all I'm doing is revving it.

Sorry for wasting yer time with this rant.

10e

 

Thanks for the very detailed post. I'm going to try this on the way home tonight. I've tried to replicate this behavior a few times using a somewhat similar method to what you described, but I couldn't get my car to exhibit it.

Does anyone NOT have the hesitation problem?

 

GREAT POSTS! I THOUGHT I DIDNT BUT...
IT HAPPENED TO ME TODAY WHILE TRYING TO PULL IN FRONT OF A DAKOTA!!!
let me calm down...

I was in a lane that ended and I didnt realize it, so at this point I was at about 20mph, and this dakota floors it, I realize it, then I slam the gas down.... IT DOESNT DO ANYTHING! then finally it downshifts and I see RPMS move but I FEEL NOTHING, RPMS were at 5,000, IM NOT USED TO THIS at all.. Usually it just flies.

 

Always welcome.

Yes, there are many people who do not have this problem. My buddy's 2002 Maxima SE Auto does not exhibit this at all, and he drives his very hard. His acceleration is always smooth, and the only hesitation he gets is when the auto kicks down a gear or two, which is normal.

Mine is stick. If you don't get it, consider yourself lucky and happy.

10e

 

I definitly do have that problem, like I will be at 12 miles per hour after slowing down and at 1200 rpm's and the car kinda waits or "hesitation" comes into play, I definitly kno what he is saying..gonna try it some today to as well..Later

Sterling

 

I just called nissan glick here in Westboro, MA and asked to make sure they had this consult data 2 cd for my install on the 7th. He took my number and said he would call me back. I am assuming they dont have it and it will get shipped to them from somebody? Anyone have info on how they get it and how fast? If not its cool, just wondering

Later

Sterling

 

so the guy called back, and he said he had the software but he said the ecu thing may not apply to me and I was like well I have a 03 maxima with the vq35 engine and it does have the hesitation problem. He was like it may not apply to your ecm or something, but he said we'll find out. He didnt seem very impressed or something so, guess I will have to see whats up

Later

Sterling

 

The time from beginning to end of the "hesitation" is about .1 second or less. The engine DOES immediately pull, then stops, then starts all within that time. Have you ever had your foot slip off the gas pedal while accelerating and stepped quickly back on it? It is just like that, but you have not let off the pedal at all and it happens very quickly.

 

I did get the ECU update, and it totally fixed the problem!

 

I just picked up my car from the dealer after having the ECU re-programmed. It drives SOOO much better now. The hiccup I had before is totally gone!!
Remember, this TSB does NOTHING for "throttle response" or "quickness", etc. and I don't think I got any horsepower change. Lots of people have mentioned getting some extra horses out of this, etc. but I took the car all the way to redline both this morning before the fix and after I picked it up, and I don't notice any extra power, no change at all there. Only change I feel is a smoother throttle tip-in, especially at low rpm. I am very happy with the fix!

BTW if anyone is interested, here is how my experience with the Carmax dealer in Greenville (I only have 3k miles so I have no mods yet)
Called service manager & discussed the TSB, he stated they would have to re-create the problem. Set up appt, and brought it in, they again were atamant about needing to re-create the problem. I gave them a copy of the TSB and a typed document I wrote telling them specifically how to re-create the problem. They cooperated and had the ECU re-programmed within a couple of hours.

 

Well, I tried to recreate the problem on the way home from work today, and was unsuccessful (sounds like a bad thing, but it's a good one! )

I've also never noticed this problem before, and most people here are saying it's pretty evident even w/out trying to consciously recreate it.

So, I guess there's nothing to be gained from doing the ECU update? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

peace

 

You are exactly right. Actually doing the update would be an unnecessary risk for you. I've read in here that some ppl have had more complications after the update. Consider yourself lucky they got your ECU right the first time.

 

Any ideas if this is related to the build date of the car? Mine is a 2003, build date 05/02. Anyone having the hesitation with the same build or newer?

Or, the other option, is that it's just random as to who has this problem. I'll still keep an eye out on this, but doesn't look like I have it right now.

Later fellas