5th Gen "I AM NEW HERE BUT HAVE A QUESTION" thread
09-19-2009, 06:08 AM
#9281
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 1,767
May as well ask this since we're talking about my suspension. One thing I've also noticed the last couple of times I've jacked it up is that I'm getting to the same height on my jack and jack stands, but that same height is no longer enough to life my tires completely off the ground. I have to go even higher and can now barely get there with the hydraulic jack I have. Is this symptomatic of coils needing replaced?
09-19-2009, 10:39 AM
#9282
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 68
I don't think it's the jack because I'm putting the jack stands the same height they've always gone and that's no longer enough to get the tire off, just barely though.
09-19-2009, 07:20 PM
#9284
Good to know. The car is an '02 and has 136k on it and most of the suspension looks to be the original. I bought the car (my third Maxima, BTW) with 122k on it from a guy I know who takes good care of his cars, but I don't think he did any suspension replacements.
I've since learned that my experience with the suspension is very common here in Minnesota with any car. If it's more than a few years old, any time you have to go into the suspension or steering, there's a good chance it's going to lead to more things going bad due to the amount of rust and corrosion caused by all the salt and snow and extreme cold temps. Everything was quiet as a mouse until one of the wheel bearings went. I was going to do that one myself but everything was so rusted together that I ran out of time before leaving on my trip, so I took it in to get the bearing swapped out. Then I heard what was clearly a ball joint the day after. Had that one done through a family mechanic who swapped both out. That's when all the squeaking and creaking started.
I've replaced the sway bar endlinks with the Moog ones which has helped a little. I've also ordered some ES sb bushings I'm going to put in next week. I'm going to pick up some moog tie rod ends to put on when I do the bushings. At that point I'll have new ball joint, endlinks, tie rod ends, and sb bushings. Hopefully that will take care of it in the short-term because I've put some money into the car recently and I'd like to space some of this stuff out. I figure struts, coils, and mounts are inevitable, but I'd like to wait a few months for that if I can. It's also got a constant squeak on the left side although it's not real loud. I figure the hub might also need replacing as I didn't do that when I had the bearing replaced. But I'd like to avoid an entire LCA if I can as that's more than I want to take on and that would be a costly one to have a mechanic do.
But I got the car for $6000 and it was in great shape, so putting a little money in it to update the suspension is not overly burdensome.
BTW irish, I've read a lot of your stuff on this site. I can't begin to tell you how unbelievable finding this site has been and how much I've learned from the ungodly amount of hours I've spent on here over the past month or two. I will definitely be making a donation in short order. I've never been a full blown DIY guy, but I'm really enjoying the work I'm doing now and thanks to the org taking care of this car is becoming a new hobby and I'm so much more equipped and less intimidated to do work myself that probably just wouldn't get done due to cost. My Max thanks this place as well.
I've since learned that my experience with the suspension is very common here in Minnesota with any car. If it's more than a few years old, any time you have to go into the suspension or steering, there's a good chance it's going to lead to more things going bad due to the amount of rust and corrosion caused by all the salt and snow and extreme cold temps. Everything was quiet as a mouse until one of the wheel bearings went. I was going to do that one myself but everything was so rusted together that I ran out of time before leaving on my trip, so I took it in to get the bearing swapped out. Then I heard what was clearly a ball joint the day after. Had that one done through a family mechanic who swapped both out. That's when all the squeaking and creaking started.
I've replaced the sway bar endlinks with the Moog ones which has helped a little. I've also ordered some ES sb bushings I'm going to put in next week. I'm going to pick up some moog tie rod ends to put on when I do the bushings. At that point I'll have new ball joint, endlinks, tie rod ends, and sb bushings. Hopefully that will take care of it in the short-term because I've put some money into the car recently and I'd like to space some of this stuff out. I figure struts, coils, and mounts are inevitable, but I'd like to wait a few months for that if I can. It's also got a constant squeak on the left side although it's not real loud. I figure the hub might also need replacing as I didn't do that when I had the bearing replaced. But I'd like to avoid an entire LCA if I can as that's more than I want to take on and that would be a costly one to have a mechanic do.
But I got the car for $6000 and it was in great shape, so putting a little money in it to update the suspension is not overly burdensome.
BTW irish, I've read a lot of your stuff on this site. I can't begin to tell you how unbelievable finding this site has been and how much I've learned from the ungodly amount of hours I've spent on here over the past month or two. I will definitely be making a donation in short order. I've never been a full blown DIY guy, but I'm really enjoying the work I'm doing now and thanks to the org taking care of this car is becoming a new hobby and I'm so much more equipped and less intimidated to do work myself that probably just wouldn't get done due to cost. My Max thanks this place as well.
note that if your stuts are original, even if perfectly maintained 122k miles is way past their lifespan...time to replace (for cheap, Tokico blues, for better, Tokico Illuminas).
May as well ask this since we're talking about my suspension. One thing I've also noticed the last couple of times I've jacked it up is that I'm getting to the same height on my jack and jack stands, but that same height is no longer enough to life my tires completely off the ground. I have to go even higher and can now barely get there with the hydraulic jack I have. Is this symptomatic of coils needing replaced?
That, or your jack needs to be bled or oil added....Floor jacks do need maintenance and without it they may not extend to full height.
09-19-2009, 08:55 PM
#9285
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 217
hello im kinda new to this but at the same time have been supporting the site and helping as much as i can with other members question, but now i have a question of my own that i could get help on! i want to know if there are any member here in CHICAGO!!! east side, that can prob help me with an issue i have....i have been really wanting to clean the inside of my headlights and install the angel eyes but i am too much of a chicken to bake the headlights and do it myself....so i was looking for any people in the Chicago area that might be able to help me out....of course i would pay for the supplies and labor...someone please help me out...it would be very helpful to me and at the same time pretty cool to meet and work with other members....thanks
09-19-2009, 09:36 PM
#9286
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pampa, Tx
Posts: 5
neo fuel management?
hi im new and i was wondering if the apex'i neo fuel management would help much with my car or should i look into other mods first, exhaust, cam, etc. if anyone has one in their 5.5 and if so how the best way to tune it to your car was (what points you added to it and stuff). thanks
09-20-2009, 12:02 AM
#9287
Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Posts: 35
ok guys.
just bought a 2000 GLE with 130k miles
no Check Engine Light
the engine wont go over 4k rpms, the car will shift into the next gear after hesitating a little.
what could it be? and whats the fix?
Thanks.
just bought a 2000 GLE with 130k miles
no Check Engine Light
the engine wont go over 4k rpms, the car will shift into the next gear after hesitating a little.
what could it be? and whats the fix?
Thanks.
09-20-2009, 12:36 AM
#9288
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Pampa, Tx
Posts: 5
it could me your throttle position sensor, your Maf or something else
09-20-2009, 05:11 AM
#9290
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2
definitely a noob with a question
Just bought a 02, it came with HIDs from the factory, but now it has a set from a 2000. It is wired wrong, only the dim lights work, no bright, the indicator on the dash works but not the lights. Is there a wiring diagram so I can convert them the right way?
09-20-2009, 08:14 AM
#9292
All wiring diagrams are in the FSM, see my sig.
09-20-2009, 09:23 AM
#9293
pmohr, you think i could just remove the elboe to change out the rear plugs? the 2 outer plugs look like no problem and it looks like i could just take the elboe only off to gret the middle plug. also doesd any one know aout if i remove the tape on the b pillars it will be body color like the 4th gens?
09-20-2009, 09:28 AM
#9294
pmohr, you think i could just remove the elboe to change out the rear plugs? the 2 outer plugs look like no problem and it looks like i could just take the elboe only off to gret the middle plug. also doesd any one know aout if i remove the tape on the b pillars it will be body color like the 4th gens?
09-20-2009, 10:35 AM
#9295
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 40
Intermittent stalling - white smoke from exhaust
Hello
My girlfriend has a 2002 maxima with about 75k miles on it.
About a month ago it started running rough after about 10 minutes driving down the highway. She pulled over and called me. It started up fine there were no issues until yesterday.
Her daughter was driving it to work (which is 2 miles away). It started to sputter so she pulled into the parking lot. I arrived hours later. It didn't start the first time, but started the second time and was idling fine - but there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust!
I have read about leaky head gaskets - but does that fit? I have noticed that there is never fluid in the overflow tank, I will add some, but then it vanished. Radiator level is fine.
also read about tranmission fluid being sucked up a vacuum line into combustions chamber?? Any merit to that? Tranny fluid was clean.
I have read about failing PCV valves, but would that fit the symptoms? Oil was not contimated either.
I am leaning to post I read some AOL website about too much gas being dumped into the system. My girlfriend said there was a gas like smell, but not exactly gas.
I did see liquid dripping from the tail pipe after the smoke as we drove away, but I wasn't smart enough to go see if it was water, oil, or gas.
So the car is still in the parking lot. Not sure I dare start it again. Debating on towing to mechanic or stealership.
The keys are
all of a sudden start to run rough
happened twice several weeks apart
smell of something "like" gas
and noticed significant white smoke from tailpipe
My girlfriend has a 2002 maxima with about 75k miles on it.
About a month ago it started running rough after about 10 minutes driving down the highway. She pulled over and called me. It started up fine there were no issues until yesterday.
Her daughter was driving it to work (which is 2 miles away). It started to sputter so she pulled into the parking lot. I arrived hours later. It didn't start the first time, but started the second time and was idling fine - but there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust!
I have read about leaky head gaskets - but does that fit? I have noticed that there is never fluid in the overflow tank, I will add some, but then it vanished. Radiator level is fine.
also read about tranmission fluid being sucked up a vacuum line into combustions chamber?? Any merit to that? Tranny fluid was clean.
I have read about failing PCV valves, but would that fit the symptoms? Oil was not contimated either.
I am leaning to post I read some AOL website about too much gas being dumped into the system. My girlfriend said there was a gas like smell, but not exactly gas.
I did see liquid dripping from the tail pipe after the smoke as we drove away, but I wasn't smart enough to go see if it was water, oil, or gas.
So the car is still in the parking lot. Not sure I dare start it again. Debating on towing to mechanic or stealership.
The keys are
all of a sudden start to run rough
happened twice several weeks apart
smell of something "like" gas
and noticed significant white smoke from tailpipe
09-20-2009, 10:52 AM
#9296
Hello
My girlfriend has a 2002 maxima with about 75k miles on it.
About a month ago it started running rough after about 10 minutes driving down the highway. She pulled over and called me. It started up fine there were no issues until yesterday.
Her daughter was driving it to work (which is 2 miles away). It started to sputter so she pulled into the parking lot. I arrived hours later. It didn't start the first time, but started the second time and was idling fine - but there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust!
I have read about leaky head gaskets - but does that fit? I have noticed that there is never fluid in the overflow tank, I will add some, but then it vanished. Radiator level is fine.
also read about tranmission fluid being sucked up a vacuum line into combustions chamber?? Any merit to that? Tranny fluid was clean.
I have read about failing PCV valves, but would that fit the symptoms? Oil was not contimated either.
I am leaning to post I read some AOL website about too much gas being dumped into the system. My girlfriend said there was a gas like smell, but not exactly gas.
I did see liquid dripping from the tail pipe after the smoke as we drove away, but I wasn't smart enough to go see if it was water, oil, or gas.
So the car is still in the parking lot. Not sure I dare start it again. Debating on towing to mechanic or stealership.
The keys are
all of a sudden start to run rough
happened twice several weeks apart
smell of something "like" gas
and noticed significant white smoke from tailpipe
My girlfriend has a 2002 maxima with about 75k miles on it.
About a month ago it started running rough after about 10 minutes driving down the highway. She pulled over and called me. It started up fine there were no issues until yesterday.
Her daughter was driving it to work (which is 2 miles away). It started to sputter so she pulled into the parking lot. I arrived hours later. It didn't start the first time, but started the second time and was idling fine - but there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust!
I have read about leaky head gaskets - but does that fit? I have noticed that there is never fluid in the overflow tank, I will add some, but then it vanished. Radiator level is fine.
also read about tranmission fluid being sucked up a vacuum line into combustions chamber?? Any merit to that? Tranny fluid was clean.
I have read about failing PCV valves, but would that fit the symptoms? Oil was not contimated either.
I am leaning to post I read some AOL website about too much gas being dumped into the system. My girlfriend said there was a gas like smell, but not exactly gas.
I did see liquid dripping from the tail pipe after the smoke as we drove away, but I wasn't smart enough to go see if it was water, oil, or gas.
So the car is still in the parking lot. Not sure I dare start it again. Debating on towing to mechanic or stealership.
The keys are
all of a sudden start to run rough
happened twice several weeks apart
smell of something "like" gas
and noticed significant white smoke from tailpipe
If the coolant level is going down and you don't have any visible leaks, I would first do a cooling system pressure test, followed by a compression test to try to find any head gasket leaks.
But really, next time it starts pouring white smoke you need to at least smell it to determine what it is. White is going to be coolant, overfueling would lead to black smoke and of course oil is blue, though they can all look pretty much the same.
09-20-2009, 12:04 PM
#9297
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 40
Thanks for the input pmohr. It looks like ATF is off the list. Most posts lead to coolant as the cause for white smoke - and I have noticed small amounts of cooling missing (thought it might be evaporation but the other cars didn't have this problem).
Coolant seems to be the culprit. Would it have a sweet smell? Or a gas like smell? Can the gas be mixing with the coolant and not totally burning (which would explain car running rough - but could be compression too). But it does not explain the car idling fine and white smoke billowing out the back.
Basically I need to make a decision by Monday morning - tow to Nissan (which isn't too far from where the car is parked) or my mechanic (much farther than Nissan, but total cost would be cheaper).
If it is a head gasket, what would be a fair ballpark cost to repair?
Coolant seems to be the culprit. Would it have a sweet smell? Or a gas like smell? Can the gas be mixing with the coolant and not totally burning (which would explain car running rough - but could be compression too). But it does not explain the car idling fine and white smoke billowing out the back.
Basically I need to make a decision by Monday morning - tow to Nissan (which isn't too far from where the car is parked) or my mechanic (much farther than Nissan, but total cost would be cheaper).
If it is a head gasket, what would be a fair ballpark cost to repair?
09-20-2009, 04:48 PM
#9298
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: st. Johns, NL
Posts: 6
02-03 bumper
Will a 02-03 bumper fit an 01 GLE? Heres a link to the page http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUMPE...Q5fAccessories
09-20-2009, 06:46 PM
#9299
Will a 02-03 bumper fit an 01 GLE? Heres a link to the page http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUMPE...Q5fAccessories
09-21-2009, 12:10 AM
#9300
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 68
And I'm just an everyday driver looking mostly for comfort. I'm not looking to drop, so I think the blues are probably a good option for me. How much more difficult are the rears compared to the front? I have very little experience doing anything on the rear suspension. The fronts will be easy, but I'd like to get a sense for how much more difficult the back ones will be.
Last edited by MWM; 09-21-2009 at 12:33 AM.
09-21-2009, 07:11 AM
#9301
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 12
Im fairly new, I mostly just read what I needed to find(very informative forum)but now I need help. I just replaced my battery and starter on my 2000 maxima and now the car turns over but wont start, I checked all my work twice and checked all the fuses and still nothing. Ive heard that if you take the battery off for more than a day you may need to get the key recoded. I called a local dealership and they said I didnt have to do that. any help is greatly apreciated.
09-21-2009, 07:42 AM
#9302
hello im kinda new to this but at the same time have been supporting the site and helping as much as i can with other members question, but now i have a question of my own that i could get help on! i want to know if there are any member here in CHICAGO!!! east side, that can prob help me with an issue i have....i have been really wanting to clean the inside of my headlights and install the angel eyes but i am too much of a chicken to bake the headlights and do it myself....so i was looking for any people in the Chicago area that might be able to help me out....of course i would pay for the supplies and labor...someone please help me out...it would be very helpful to me and at the same time pretty cool to meet and work with other members....thanks
hi im new and i was wondering if the apex'i neo fuel management would help much with my car or should i look into other mods first, exhaust, cam, etc. if anyone has one in their 5.5 and if so how the best way to tune it to your car was (what points you added to it and stuff). thanks
Take it in to check for codes. Sometimes something is wrong with no check engine light but you can still get a code to tell you whats going on.
09-22-2009, 09:56 AM
#9306
Your question has been answered a number of time:
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...t=front+bumper
http://forums.maxima.org/members-rid...es-1-30mb.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...er#post6403514
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...t=front+bumper
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...t=front+bumper
The front bumpers are different but they are interchangeable with a few differences. The grille is a separate part in the 02 and 03. The headlights are slightly taller and the foglights are different in the 02 and 03 if I'm not mistaken.
Last edited by Teddie18; 09-22-2009 at 10:24 AM.
09-22-2009, 11:42 AM
#9307
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 68
Anyone have any secrets on how to get those PITA plastic rivets on the engine splash guard back on? Had to replace the radiator and I seem to be too stupid to get them back on. Or better yet, are there more user friendly ones available anywhere?
09-22-2009, 11:48 AM
#9308
those plastic pieces are actually two in one.... you remove the center cap and then insert the "outer" piece into the hole ... once that is in there then shove the "center" cap through the outer cap
basically the innercap helps to spread the outercap out .. thats what makes it hold. ...
alteast thats how it is on my 02 SE
basically the innercap helps to spread the outercap out .. thats what makes it hold. ...
alteast thats how it is on my 02 SE
09-22-2009, 02:52 PM
#9310
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 68
those plastic pieces are actually two in one.... you remove the center cap and then insert the "outer" piece into the hole ... once that is in there then shove the "center" cap through the outer cap
basically the innercap helps to spread the outercap out .. thats what makes it hold. ...
alteast thats how it is on my 02 SE
basically the innercap helps to spread the outercap out .. thats what makes it hold. ...
alteast thats how it is on my 02 SE
Doh! I can easily see that now that I'm looking more closely. Just picked up some new ones from Oreilly. Should be easy from here on out. Yes, I am new to most of this.
Oh, and for anyone else planning to take the radiator off, learn from my stupidity that the two hoses connected to the bottom of the rad are for transmission fluid, so put a separate drain catch when you take them off. If not, you're going to ruin the coolant you drained originally. And I just put it in last week. $25 of Toyota Red down the tube.
Last edited by MWM; 09-22-2009 at 02:54 PM.
09-22-2009, 03:18 PM
#9311
09-22-2009, 03:55 PM
#9314
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Moore, OK
Posts: 1,767
09-22-2009, 04:58 PM
#9315
Very WEIRD PROBLEMS.
I bought A 02 6spd.
1st And largest problem i am having is the Car lacks alot of power. It Revs but doesn't really go anywhere. If i try to let up the clutch and gun it, It doesn't spin tires or anything. I have had a few friends (also members) drive the car dont think it is the clutch because RPM's dont shoot up. there is just not any Go power... Drives like a 4 cylinder.
When i pull the codes i get PO455, P1448, P0021, P0430...
2nd problem. Maybe it could be the transmission because it is very hard too put in Rev. when i do get it into reverse it has a Mild Shake when backing up.
I have Replaced the Cam Crank and Crank sensor ref.
Any Insight from anyone is good.
1st And largest problem i am having is the Car lacks alot of power. It Revs but doesn't really go anywhere. If i try to let up the clutch and gun it, It doesn't spin tires or anything. I have had a few friends (also members) drive the car dont think it is the clutch because RPM's dont shoot up. there is just not any Go power... Drives like a 4 cylinder.
When i pull the codes i get PO455, P1448, P0021, P0430...
2nd problem. Maybe it could be the transmission because it is very hard too put in Rev. when i do get it into reverse it has a Mild Shake when backing up.
I have Replaced the Cam Crank and Crank sensor ref.
Any Insight from anyone is good.
![[Dustin]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%238a6ac6' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>[</text></svg>)
09-23-2009, 07:52 AM
#9317
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 36
I've got a 2001 Maxima that needs the following:
Coils/Plugs
Rotors
Pads
I got a quote on some Duralast coils from Autozone, but was curious if anyone had a better suggestion. I'm simply looking for a product that is going to last; I don't race, etc.
Also, does anyone have suggestions on brake pads and rotors? Again, I need something that is relatively inexpensive yet functional.
Thanks in advance for the responses!
Coils/Plugs
Rotors
Pads
I got a quote on some Duralast coils from Autozone, but was curious if anyone had a better suggestion. I'm simply looking for a product that is going to last; I don't race, etc.
Also, does anyone have suggestions on brake pads and rotors? Again, I need something that is relatively inexpensive yet functional.
Thanks in advance for the responses!
09-23-2009, 09:21 AM
#9318
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 897
09-23-2009, 01:47 PM
#9319
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Ok Peeps. I just picked up a 2000 Maxima Pearl White (Ground Effects, Spoiler) 19in. gold rims wrapped in 235/35/19 Tires. The car is also lowered. I have no idea by how much. Anyway, I can't take any credit for it's beauty (YET) until I add my personal touch. 1st things 1st, When I hit a bump, I feel like I'm on a playground see-saw. I really like the dropped look but I want it to ride a smoth as POSSIBLE. What are my options for suspension? without changing SPRINGS. Any advice is Greatly appreciated. I will post pics of the car soon. I need to get it repaired this weekend
09-23-2009, 04:15 PM
#9320
