Like many of you 2k/2k1 peoples, I was experiencing the 'surging problem' when the car is cold. Mine would only happen for 30 seconds or so and probably was not as pronounced as some you describe... I went ahead and ordered a new MAF sensor from Dave Burnette and installed it along with a new air filter and cleaned the throttle body as well (wasn't very dirty). I noticed that the new MAFS had four terminals as opposed to three on my old MAFS. It plugged up just fine though and the surging problem seems to have gone away... Plus, I was experiencing a slightly shaky idle at times and that also seems to have been fixed.

On another note, I also replaced the plugs and did a coolant flush as well. The plugs may have also had something to do with the problem, but I am thinking it may be attributed to the MAFS. I am 100 miles away from 60k miles and the MAFS was never replaced... aftermarket intake for the past 50k miles or so...

Anyhow, for those with the problem and $80 to burn, it may be worth a try

 

Thanks - that was one issue I had heard it could be, although i couldn't really see how. My surging is quite pronounced for the first few min on a cold engine. I have new coils, plugs, air filter, cleaned throttle body. I'd like to hear if somebody else has the same problem and a new maf sensor fixed it. If so I'd order one immediately

 

Bumpers!!!

 

Can you guys describe the surging in a little more detail? I know that for a while now, my Max seems to have this uneven acceleration. Its not as smooth as it used to be. My Max used to accelerate smoothly with even light throttle pressure. Not anymore. Plus, it seems like it shifts way too early in the rev band.

Thanks.

 

I have the same problem on a cold engine. Only happens in 2nd gear under 3K rpms.

 

I thought the MAF sensor was $400+ dollars?

 

AFAIK the entire maf section including housing, sensor, etc. which is what nissan will tell you you need is at least $300, but aparently it's possible to change out only the sensor and dave burnette will sell it for around $80. At least that's what i hear

To make sure we're on the same page the surging problem I have is: When the car is started cold, for the first few minutes it will chug/surge/buck if I'm less than 2k rpm. It does it especially in third gear and less so in 1st or 2nd, although it's noticeable in them as well. As soon as the needle gets up past the first line or so the chugging goes away - so really it's just for the first few min when the car is cold.

 

Yeah that's what my car does except it only happens in 2nd gear and when I let off the gas and then put my foot back on, it's fine.

J.

 

Any other results from people? Mine is really bucking like a mother unless it's over 2k while warming up!

 

I had a problem I'd describe as engine "stumble" in my early production (aka: weak coiled) 2KSE w/ 79K miles. Plus the overall engine performance was not what it used to be. In the 1st 30 seconds (or so) of cold driving the engine would lose power slightly when the gas pedal was depressed, then surge. First, I replaced the six coils & plugs which solved the performance problem, but not the cold "stumble." I then replaced the MAF -- BINGO. Problem solved. You can get the MAF Sensor-only from DaveB at South Point Nissan for $80+ plus shipping. Your local dealer will most likely want to sell you the $400+ assembly, so get it from DaveB instead. You can find his number elsewhere on the board.

 

Thanks dude. I'll have to look into that.

 

If one more person says the MAF fixed it I'm gonna have to go and order that bad boy

 

I had the surging problem ever since the car was delivered. I thought I just had forgotten to drive stick. The dealer told me some horsepucky about how those Japanese engineers didn't accurately predict southern California driving conditions. What a crock that was. He said there was a service bulletin on it and they updated the ECU program and the problem is largely gone. Did anyone else have the dealer do this?

 

I can't say what state my computer is in. I bought the car a year ago with 37k miles and I've never had it updated; not sure if the previous owner did.

 

Horsepucky...

Are you talking about the Fuel Cut Off TSB? I had that done last year but i don't think it helped with our current problem.

J.

 

[q]The dealer told me some horsepucky about how those Japanese engineers didn't accurately predict southern California driving conditions. What a crock that was.[/q]Yeah, that one is rich! I've heard a lot of crock from people (recently a salesman told me that the Altima is so fast vs. the maxima because it weighs _800 lbs less_), but not anticipating california weather conditions hampering the car, well that is a new one :O

 

Any other experiences? Has anybody else picked up a MAF for this surging?

 

Another bump

 

How do you know if your MAF sensor is bad? if its not bad.. how do you make it go bad? My car is under extended warranty and might want to take it to the dealer to get replaced but i dont know if its bad or not.. my car is idling kinda rough lately