I received a call from Steve Thomas today. As those of you who have been following this issue know, Steve is the Zone Rep who diagnosed the fuel-cut (throttle) condition in my Maxima. He was also recently promoted to a supervisory position in Nissan USA and currently has engineering oversight on the new Infinity Q45.

Due to the volume of responses to the recent Motor Trend article, Nissan USA has formally issued a request to Nissan Japan to address one specific complaint, namely, the inability of 5th Generation Maximas to maintain a constant speed in 1st gear at 1800 rpm. According to Steve, Nissan Japan is required to respond to this request. Steve also mentioned that the request not only covers Maximas under construction for consumption in the USA, but also ALL 5TH GENERATION NISSAN MAXIMAS currently in the field.

At this point, Steve does not know what kind of a fix Nissan Japan will issue, whether the fix will actually work, or if it will result in a TSB or a recall.

I'd recommend that those who have been in contact with Nissan USA regarding the fuel-cut (throttle) condition formally request that they be informed as to the outcome of Nissan USA's action in this matter.

 

Sweet. Maybe they'll actually fix it.

 

i'm sorry, but i tried searching for it, but the results didn't show a clear thread, and the speed of this net connection i have at school right now is not fast at all (supposed to be T-3, yeah right), if one of you can just briefly explain it to me, i would really appreciate it, or just help me find the thread. i wouldn't wont to go to the dealer and say that i have the problem without even knowing what it was.

 

Visit http://www.NissanMaximaProblems.com

For more information follow the link "To read more on this issue click here"

 

Okay, this is making sense now! On my manual, I have the problem of trying to accelerate slowly - pulling out into slow moving traffic, behind a slow driver moving of from a light etc. etc. And of course, find that I can't, either I don't give it enough (or any reading the above link) and it stalls or nearly stalls, or I get what would normally be the right amount of pressure on the accelerator and the revs shoot to 3000, followed by my immediate release of throttle pedal pressure so I don't rear end the car in front which results in the uneven "lurch" effect described in the above link.

So is there a petition that I can sign saying that I think that manual transmission vehicles need a different ECU program to auto's and that regardles, the ECU needs to be re-engineered for both cars?

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed. It would be great if Nissan actually fixes this problem. Maybe I'll end up keeping my car for the 3 years on it's lease then.... lol I was going to test drive a Subaru Impreza WRX and a Lexus IS300 w/stick, but I am weary to ever purchase a first year model car again after this piece of junk.

Dave Z

 

If this issue ever gets resolved, there are going to be some people to thank, not the least of which are davedzny and bigk200. These guys have been fighting this issue for MONTHS! It's because of people like them that we've come as far as we have.

Good luck to all of us!

 

http://www.NissanMaximaProblems.com

I read the information on the above site and commend the author. Obviously allot of research and frustration went into this.

I do find the throttle to be "unrefined" in some instances, especially when I lift off the gas. In traffic, if I take my foot off the gas to coast, the car immediately starves the engine of fuel. The result when I get back on the gas is a "lurching" effect. It is not really bad (worst at slower speeds) and can be compensated for by pushing in the clutch. But I have never driven a manual that was so unforgiving. (hard to believe anyone would complain about quick throttle response, isn't it?)

However, I note this sentence from the above site "I have yet to find a 2000 Maxima that passes the stationary test (trying to ease rpm's from 3,000 rpm to 2,000 rpm)". Though I have a 2001, I decidedm to tested my car. While parked, it was easy to gradually go from 3000 down to 2000. I also don't have any problems maintaining any speed in any gear including first.

Am I just lucky or is it possible that Nissan has quietly "fixed" the problem on later production. My car was built in Oct/00. Is this just a 2000 model issue? Or does it come out after some miles are put on the car?

If Nissan has made the adjustment on current production, it may give your arguements to have them fix the 2000's more weight.

 

depending on things like your TPS sensor adjustment, it can have more or less effect. you might have a drop off closer to 2000 on your particular car. All new cars have a fuel cut around 2000, THAT isnt a problem. thats emissions. but it seems alot of max's are more like 2500+. Mine is closer to 2500, but with an auto it isnt so bad. The compression braking is probably worse that fuel cut for me.


On that site,
OMG!!! that GIF is hysterical!!!!!!!!!! i think milk came out of my nose.. and I wasnt even drinking any.

 

that animation was the funniest thing i've seen all week! I like how there's one "maxima" amongst a plethora of F-150s!! HaaHaHaaa. And I didn't know the fuel-cut issue made you sleep at the wheel (let's the traffic move forward, decides to move, then stops). I thought it was a jerking motion?! good website though, next, add Nissan Paint as a problem.

 

About ‘one "maxima" amongst a plethora of F-150s’—I tried to save some downloading time (most people are still using modems to access ‘NET) so I used a single image for all the trucks in the animation. BTW it's not GIF, it's a java applet.

The http://www.NissanMaximaProblems.com is a joint venture of Kevin (BigK200), Mark (Opimax) and me (Kostya). If you feel like criticizing, suggesting, etc. drop me a note (MH3023@Hotmail.com). I appreciate all comments.

One detail about the fuel-cut: it is not really noticeable if the engine is loaded. On my 5spd SE it is “gone” if I turn on AC and/or defrost. If you think your car is not affected, repeat the test with AC/defrost/lights OFF and see if you can maintain 1800-2000RPM in neutral.

Regards,

Kostya.

 

Has there been any updates on this?

 

Did you try the ease down when the car was fully warmed up?

When the car is cold you can do it easily. But when it is warmed up you can't.

I had a "nice" discussion with someone on this list about the same thing when I tried the "ease down" and it worked. Once we clarified that the car needed to be at operating temperature, I agreed with him that it wasn't possible. i even escaped without having to bet the title to my car! LOL.

 

Yes, I noticed that this is not a problem when the car is cold and only seems to occur when the car is warmed up...
Luckily I really do not have to drive the car in traffic... actually it spends most of it's time 'resting' in my garage... it is 1 year and 6 months old and only has 4500 miles on it...

 

Not yet. But be patient. It will take some time for Nissan Japan to respond.

 

My 15 year old brother just got a 2001 Altima 5spd, and his does have the "fuel cut" issue, but my 2000 maxima doesn't.
So I don't know what's up.