I have been getting an occasional rattling noise when accelerating especially in 2nd and 3rd gear. It seems to be accompanied by a little hesitation almost feeling like a misfire. Does anyone have any experience with this. I have a 2000 se 5 spd with about 50k miles. I don't feel like going to the dealer and getting bent over. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

sounds like engine knocking/pinging, what octane gas are you running?

 

I only use chevron 91 octane. I thought that it might be that also. I put a bottle of techron cleaner in my last fill up. I haven't gone through the whole tank yet though because I don't drive my car that often. The thing that is really worrying me is the rattle noise I hear.

 

People have described a bb in a tin can before their ignition coils went. Not sure if they were related.

 

Does it only happen under load? I had that same problem/sound with my '00 SE with 23k miles. I would notice that when accelerating I would hear a rattling or pinging sound, as well as the misfiring and sluggishness. Not to mention my SES light being on. I took it to Nissan and had it diagnosed as the ignition coils. I had them replaced all 6 coils, reset the ECU, and now the car runs like a champ. No rattling, no misfiring, and no SES light...........so far.

 

Not sure where you live, but try a higher rated octane fuel first.
I skimped once on 89 octane, and got pinging almost immediately.

If that doesn't work -- I'd suspect the coils as well.


gr

 

i agree, it sounds like the coils... i had all six of mine replaced, seems to me a common prob. with max's. my car had a hesitation when i tried to get on it and had some starting problems...

 

My check engine light just lit up on Saturday. Took it to the dealership today and was quoted $800 to replace all 6 of the coils. It's it a must to replace all of them, or will I be OK for awhile with just replacing the bad ones. I'd like the option to wait for the rest of them until I get my bonus this year. I don't seem to detect any difference in the way it runs right now.

 

I would replace them all by yourself. Its easier than changing the spark plugs. Go to your nearest parts store and you'll find coils for cheaper. The coils will get worst over time, as well as your acceleration, engine smoothness during load, and fuel economy.

 

Does the SES light always come one when the coils are about to go?

 

It's Ok just replacing the bad ones.

 

yo my car makes a rattling noise when I give it a quick punch on the gas. I think it might be cause my throttle bore might be dirty. I own a 2000 automatic SE.

 

IIRC after awhile, once the ECU finally decides that there is a problem, your ABS/TCS and I can't recall what other light, will come on constantly. By that point, your car will be running so poorly that you'll want to replace it

 

I have a 2k 5spd with 116k miles and also just started noticing a rattling noise when accelerating in 2nd or 3rd....mostly when i'm punching it. It sounds like its just a heat shield or something rattling..like from under teh car more so then in the engine bay. Not sure if its the same problem but maybe that will help clear things up for you and for me.

 

At first I thought the rattling was from the heat shield also on my 00, but overtime, I started to notice this along with the rattling..

1)rasy engine note
1)vibration
3)unwillingness to rev/revs roughly
4)loss of power
5)not being able to walk on a 2.2 Cavalier

My car didn't give me any warning codes, I just knew from .org what to look for.

 

it turned out to be the mass air flow sensor, you can order one from http://www.jerryromenissan.com/en_US/

i just changed mine tonight (mins ago) and it did the trick...i have the same car, even the same color and had the same issues. to change you'll have to loosen about 6-8 bolts, remove the entire box that contains the airfilter, that will allow you to remove the maf, bolt the new one on and put back, remember you must also replace the airfilter when doing this job. you'll also need to get the computer reset, that's my next trick, gotta find a dealer to do this. good luck!!!

p.s. this took me about 45 mins to complete.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. So it looks like it's either the coils or the maf that might be the culprit. I'll probably start with the cheaper of the two and see if it gets any better. I know coils are going to be expensived cause I had to replace one when I broke it changing my spark plugs. I think it was $45 just for one. I've been noticing bad gas mileage too. I've only been getting about 300 miles per tank instead of the usual 360-400.

bigpants, can't you reset your computer just by disconnecting the battery?

 

Another quick question. Have any of you gotten your maf or coils replaced under warranty?

 

You can get both replaced under warranty if you have a stock intake and a regular air filter assuming your not over on miles.

 

I think its the coils

 

I'm going to the nissan dealer today. They said that it would be covered under my extended warranty. I think I might get the run around though because I haven't had any check engine lights pop on yet. We'll see what happens.

 

I think that there is a service bulletin for the coils, I sell nissan parts at a nissan dealer at that has been the most frequent culprit of these problems, and of course the MAF meter. Of course we have repalced all 6 coils and have still had problems with pinging. We did an induction service and the problem went away so don't be suprised if the noise doesnt go away with just the coils being repalced.

 

I went around with Nissan over a year on that exact sound. It turned out (after they replaced all coil packs, the y-pipe and pre cats, a strut, glove box door and trimmed a motor mount.....$$$$ AND THE THREAT of a buyback under Ohio Lemon Law) to be the power steering hose vibrating up against a heat shield on the back of the engine. It only did it when cold, under load and mostly between 2k and 3k RPMs. Car has been great since then. Our 2k was built in July of 2k if that helps any.

Travis

 

Just got back from the dealer. 5 hours and $260 later, I got out of there with all six coils replaced, a fuel injection service, and reset idle and timing. I do have to say the the car runs pretty strong now. I don't think it has pulled this hard since it was new. I drove it around quite a bit before heading home and did not hear a rattle noise at all during accelaration. I also filled up the tank. Hopefully, I can get back to squeezing 360-400 miles out of a tank.

 

that is exactly the condition mine is under...between 2k and 3k rpms and it is getting very cold out at night and thats when i would hear it. how should i fix it?