Help me save a quoted $850 on a problem allegedly beginning with a faulty crankshaft sensor and mass air flow sensor. Took Conrad's 6 hours to diagnose the problem to begin with, so that started us off on a bad note. They said that nothing showed up on the computerized diagnostic tool.

Here is the problem - Very hard starts. On the first crank the car will not start. After turning the key the second time, I must give alot of gas (floor it) to keep the car from stalling. Initially I might need to floor it, but after a sec or 2 i can rev around 2k for 10 seconds or so , then it'll drop back down to a mediocre idle .

Could it be somthing else?

I know I can save by buying online parts, but might not the mass air flow sensor and crank shaft sensor be responsible for the problems?

Im going to take it to my normal and very honest mechanic tomarrow (didnt take it to him first since hes been swamped with work) for a second opinion.

 

doesnt sound like an MAF, one that affects starting is usually bad enough to limit revs at 2500.

 

Get the codes read, proceed. Codes can be read at a local AutoZone. If it is a CPS/MAF, both can be had for less than 175. Installed in under 25 minutes.

 

I can get you both the maf and crank position sensor for $100 shipped. they are used but they are guaranteed to work.

 

Check the connections on your maf and make sure you getting air intake....same thing happen to me the maf wire harness was loose

 

I though I've heard of problems like this, and it turned out to be either

1. IACV (because of having to floor it took keep it running)
2. MAF
3. MAF went bad, and finally caused the ECU to fry

 

What year MAF?

 

year 2000 came of off

 

not an upgraded MAF...dont get it

 

It's ok, my Maxima is a 2000.

 

so what.
you are going to buy an inferior MAF just cause its the same year as your car

 

What is inferior about it? How much would an "upgraded" MAF cost? Im a broke student, so im looking for an inexpensive route.

 

its of an 00 I30 with 42k miles, nothing inferior about it. If it does not work, just send it back to me. no problems, no worries. just trying to help out.

 

its inferior because its not updated like the 2001 maf sensor, therefore its more likely to fail.

 

if you wanna do your own thing...do it.

 

I'm not sure if Crank Position Sensor is the same as the Cam Position Sensor, but i had my Cam Position Sensor go bad. Up and until the very last moment that my car stalled out for good, i never got any codes. It was covered by warranty but my service advisor told me it was only a $50 part so even if it wasn't covered i wouldn't be out much.

 

No, I do not know what I want. Thats why Im here asking you for help.

 

Maybe try checking the TB for dirt and grime then cleaning it.

 

and i was saying not to get a 2000 MAF (even if you have a 2000) because later MAFs are better. more expensive...but better.

 

Doesn't seem as if our fellow member has any knowledge on MAF sensors. So, may as well leave him alone, let him post in the classifieds section, and wonder why his part didn't/doesn't sell very well.

 

clearly he should get a larger MAF tube

 

had a similar problem with an 00 maxima... it stalled a couple of times and then finally died on the hiway.. would only crank when you had the gas floored. Had nissan diagnose it for 99 bucks, bad idle air control valve. I installed it myself after being quoted 900 from the dealer for repairs and reprogramming the ecu (what a scam) Was also told the ecu may be fried, and they wouldn't know until the iacv was replaced, and that my be another 4 or 5 hundred...

 

Check BCM, and the IMVS circuts.

 

You can start the car up just fine with no MAF hooked up, it won't let you rev up past 2400RPM. So try doing that 1st. When one of my MAFs fried out I couldn't even fire the car up.

DO NOT get a 00 MAF, they suck. Back in 2004 Nissan finally came out with a MAF that wouldn't die out. Its a newer design that I have had good luck with- 100K miles on the current MAF. Before that I went through 5 MAFs on my car. At 184K miles I don't have any more "sensor" problems.

Also you could have a bad fuel pump or IACV, I seen both go bad on the 5th gen. I don't work for "Nissan", but I bet I work on alot more Maxima problems than most local dealers here in my area do.... I would suggest looking at fuel pressure, disconnect the MAF and see if it runs- if those don't help out, its the IACV.