I have this problem that I've been noticing after a month now. When I am at stand still but in gear (D - Drive) at say the red light waiting, the car sometimes hesitates like its about to stall but doesn't. Today I was idling and when I put the car in reverse, the car started to hesitate and I thought for sure I was going to stall but it didn't. It only hesitates when in gear but not in park.

Any ideas?

 

Hmm... could be your MAF... The MAF for the 02-03's are too sensitive according to my service advisor!
I have a '02 and i already had to get mine replaced!
Also... there was a recall on the Crankshaft sensor or something on the '02s... I got the letter from Nissan and i had made an appt to go get it fixed and the previous night my car started acting up... once i had it done the car was back to normal!
Juz bring it to the dealership and have them hookup their scanning tool and have them check it out...

 

Could check your throttle body also. At 30k mine had some crud in it. I noticed a smoother idle and very responsive gas pedal after I cleaned mine (actually it was kinda jerky like when I first bought the car).

 

Thanks. Thats a good idea to check the Throttle body, I forgot about that. I want to take it to the dealer to check my MAF but I am afraid they will find nothing wrong and stuff. I know I have some problem but these folks try everything to tell you there is nothing wrong.

 

If u are under the 3/36k warranty.. dont worry about a thing man...
If u ever are in the Boston area... lemme know and i will bring you to my dealer.. the service advisor is really cool! If u want i can call him and ask him what could be wrong with ur car!...juz say the word pal!

 

oh... whats a Throttle body?

 

Try cleaning the MAF off too. I use rubbing alcohol and a Q-Tip. Lightly wipe the filament looking part. Let dry, reinstall and go for a test drive. You'd be surprised how crudded up those things can get.

 

I think i wanna try that...
What should i be careful of when i do that?

 

throtle body cleaning ,,,,,, what that. i would like to know , i could say fuel injection verse carberator but i aprreciate the respones and were to get the crued out would also be helpful. I notice my automatic 03 sometimes hestiate maybe 1/3 of the time when i stomp the gas/

 

I think I will try to clean the throttle body like you guys are saying and clean the MAF using alcohol and a Q-Tip. See what happens after that.

I hope this works out because I hate going to the dealer.