The other day while driving home I noticed that my car seemed to be absolutely ******* it between 3000-4000 RPMs. To confirm this I downshifted out of overdrive, which brings the car up around 3xxx at 65MPH, and then gave it some gas - the car seemed to be jerking/missing and the revs were bouncing +/-100RPM, as it climbed up the tach.

Thinking that my low gas tank/bad gas might be the cause, I filled up with a fresh tank of 93. The past two days or so..it was great. No problems at all, car pulled strong and cleanly through the entire powerband.

Now today it's back up near 100 again, and i'm down to 1/2 tank, and the problem is back. If I am doing 60-65 on the highway and floor it, instead of dropping down into 2nd, it only downshifts into 3rd maybe, and the engine really lugs and feels like it's got no power between 3-4k. Also, when the problem happens, I can barely chirp the tires taking off from a stop; when it's not happening, I can burn out with reckless abandon.

Suggestions on where to start looking? The MAF is recent (less than a year old, using the most recent part # too) and the plugs were changed out with NGK Laser Platinums less than 7,000 miles ago. (I've got 67k.) The O2 sensors have been replaced, along with the fuel tank, gas cap, charcoal canister, evap hoses, and the transmission was replaced 13000 miles ago. It's getting good mileage still (22-23 on my stop and go commute) and not burning any oil. The problem seems to get worse when it's over 90 degrees outside. It reminds me of an old carbureted engine that's got a "flat spot" where the engine is not getting enough gas.

 

Possibly a fuel filter???

 

Fuel filter is not serviceable on a 2k2 without replacing the pump, with my limited skills. There is a way to do it according to several members but I'm not gonna risk blowing up my fuel pump in the attempt.

 

maby coils

 

Need updated software on vehicle along with MAF.

Lack of Power Bulletin covered by 8/80K mi

ASIST ->Maxima ->2002 ->EC-VQ->Lack of Power/(no pinging)
Should be a bulletin for that.

 

Have you tried to get the bands on the transmission checked/adjusted. If you keep stressing the trany when its new, it'll stretch the bands and cause that same problem. You can take it to a hobby shop and do it yourself in about a 1/2 hour. Easy to check and cheap if you do it yourself.

 

I think you may be on to something with the trans. issue. I'll have that checked out. The Lack of Power TSB was performed (ECU update) when the MAF was replaced.