Today I noticed that my 2002 Maxima (automatic) was experiencing a misfire at idle. I looked at the tach and the idle was 300 rpm which may explain the misfire. On the way home I didn't notice any change in power or the behavior of the engine. Once home in my driveway I turned the a/c off and the idle was its normal 500 rpm with no misfire present...a/c on the idle returned to 300 rpm with a misfire. The check engine light is not on and I haven't put a code reader on it yet. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Tim

 

500rpm seems awfully low. i thought the idle is supposed to be at 650?

 

I checked it again...the idle is 600-650 rpm without the A/C on. As soon as I turn the A/C on the idle drops to 300 rpm...the motor sounds like it could stall at any moment.

 

i have a bad iacv on my car and it does the same thing. an auto should idle around 700 750 and a manual sould ilde at 625. im not saying u have a bad iacv because im pretty sure it would set a code like mine

 

I just drove the car again and now I have the idle problem with the A/C on and off. It seems as though the motor may be starving for fuel...could be the fuel filter. My Maxima has 110K miles on it and I would bet that the original fuel filter is still on the car.

 

i doubt its a fuel problem cause you'd be stumbling across the band while accelerating as the car is starving for fuel.
i vote that you IACV is bad.

 

I'm thinking that you may have an ignition coil going bad.

 

I believe that the problem is the IACV. I failed to mention (and make the connection) that a recent noise (no doubt the IACV) coming from the motor during start-up was related to the idle problem...I thought I had an issue with my steering pump or rack.

Where can I can a IACV cheap and quick?

Thanks.

Tim

 

Have you thought about using throttle body cleaner to spray clean the IACV? Try that before springing for another IACV. Generally there is a hole in the throttle body which is connected to IACV. Liberal spraying through that hole might get your IACV unstuck.

- Vikas

 

IACV + 2002 =

 

You should check your serpentine belt and make sure it is working properly.

 

 

...it sounds like your canooter valve is not canooting correctly. You definitely need a complete carburetor rebuild to fix the problem.

 

Go with the throttle body cleaning.

 

I hate it when my serpentine belt serpentines into my IACV.

 

...your post count is definitely getting higher...your almost there. lol

 

I'm going to clean the IACV today...I'll post the results afterward.

 

Good luck finding it on your '02.

 

If it is 2002 don't touch your throttle body without reading zillions posts here. Otherwise you will regret it.

- Vikas

P.S. DO NOT MANUALLY MOVE THE THROTTLE PLATE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
TURN THE IGNITION ON (ENGINE OFF) AND HAVE A HELPER PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND WATCH THE THROTTLE PLATE MOVING. IF YOU WANT TO CLEAN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLATE AND WANT TO ROTATE IT, USE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

I AM SHOUTING!!!

 

I clean mine, and it always seems to go back to normal after a couple of resets.

 

i didnt say the serpentine belt was causing a IACV probelm. I said to check it because if the A/C compressor isnt working properly it could cause the the belt to fail. If you look at the post it said starts to stall when the A/C is on.