For many of us here, the Org is a fantastic source for education on the 5th Gen Maxima. Very few members have the mechanical experience (or skills) to know all there is to know about our cars, even when it comes to simply identifying parts. And the Field Service Manual is a bit of a Catch-22... because you can't look something up if you don't know what it is.

So, use this thread to post pictures and questions about something you want identified, and see who steps in with the answers.

Also, when you get an answer to your part inquiry, go back to your original post and update it with that identification.

 

For example...

...this thing is mounted to the driver's side strut tower. I really don't know what it is.

It looks like some kind of bleeder valve.

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edit: identified by 2slow as the Clutch Air Bleeder Valve -- page CL-6 in the FSM.

 

It's part of the clutch hydraulic system, presumably to bleed the system at the factory. There's more useless clutch hydraulics under the ABS controller.

 

Does anyone know what this device is on the passenger side strut tower?

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edit: identified by Reizi as the Power steering pressure sensor. Although I can't find it in the FSM.

 

Cleanliness is virtue.

 

So... what's that thing on the passenger-side strut tower? Sure would like to dismantle it, clean and paint.

 

How about this thing that's mounted to the passenger-side firewall? It has a little, black cylindrical tank on it.

Obvious to someone, I'm sure... but I don't know what it is.

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edit: identified by Reizi as the Windshield Wiper Motor

 

Power steering pressure sensor.

Windshield wiper motor.

 

That's part of the PS system? Why the heck wouldn't it have a clamp on that huge hose then? That seems odd.

 

Apparently Nissan decided a metal crush-fitting connecting the sensor to the tube would suit the power steering pressure hose just fine. Also part of the reason why so many 5.5 owners have issues with that same hose leaking.

 

for making this thread, good idea.

 

From what I understand the power steering is pressure sensitive to speed. The slower the speed, the more assist the power steering offers and this is how it is regulated.
Good idea Rochester!

 

Okay, so that wire running to the hose actually makes sense now. The ECU sends vehicle speed feedback to the PS system to regulate how much assistance is applied.

I was always wondering why they had a seemingly useless wire run there since there was no kind of warning light that came on, even when I was almost out of psf.

 

This little connector is held to the block by a single bolt, on the driver's side of the car, just below the valve cover. Sure looks like it's designed for something to plug into it. For more perspective, you can see the large inlet from the upper radiator hose.

Anybody?

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edit: identified by viperxbr as the Camshaft position sensor (Bank 2)

 

Camshaft position sensor (PHASE) (bank 2)??

 

Here's a wikipedia entry on that.

There's a similar on the driver's side of the engine, under the rear valve cover. Is this also a "Camshaft Position Sensor", for Bank 1 maybe?

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edit: identified by viperxbr as the Camshaft position sensor (Bank 1)

 

Yes. You are correct. Bank 1.

 

The power steering one there, that is the one you have to watch out for as far as 5th gen owners. They like to leak after a number of years.

 

This strange looking little guy is behind the Evap solenoid, and is held to a bracket by 2 little sockethead bolts.

Not the best photo, I'll admit... but here it is anyway.

As to the Evap solenoid, I was recently educated about that one.


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edit: identified by perkman87 and essential1 as one of 2 Fuel Pressure Regulators, one on the end of each fuel rail

 

We need to make this a sticky!

 

^^^^^ +1
Rochester for Mod status

 

I was under the impression that the item in the photo in post 2 was to bleed the clutch master cylinder, and to bleed the clutch slave you bleed that directly at the bleeder screw on the slave.
As for the power steering hose, I'm sure the black foam piece is not really the hose itself but some type of protection for the main hose underneath. Thus no big clamp on it.

 

for Rochester as a mod.

B

 

Been saying that for years^^^^^^

 

this is a bleeder valve. Is not useless it actually helps the pedal travel better. Take it from a person that has done many 5 speed swaps. This is something good for the hydraulic system. Other then that the engineers would not have put it there

 

windshield wiper motor

 

Of course I appreciate the sentiments, thank you. That's not going to happen, though. I'm not looking to participate as a moderator. Besides, NmexMax is doing a great job as our new Mod.

So... getting back on-topic, what is this little thing that looks like a robotic *****?

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edit: identified by essential1 as one of 2 Fuel Pressure Regulators, one on the end of each fuel rail

 

This thread is awesome! I have a question though...

I'm not a mechanic or anything but I just got my car serviced and the mechanic who worked on my 2002 at the stealership said i need new rear axle at 77K miles. When I asked the service manager who had been there for the last 10 years and drives a 2003 Maxima about the Maxima's rear axle he looked funny and said...2002-2003 don't have rear axles...

Who is wrong and who is right?

 

They have a beam not standard axles like the front. It should not need replacing

 

this just exploded on my car about 30 minutes ago, i don't need it right

 

fuel pressure regualtor ?? and I def do not see the ***** resemblance....

 

If im not mistaken, that should be the fuel dampener/fuel pressure regulator. If you follow the line coming from it, it should go to the fuel rail under the intake manifold. On the other end of the fuel rail, there should be another one that looks exactly like it.

4th gens only have one of these because they have the fuel filter in the engine bay (by the firewall) which acts as a fuel dampener itself. But like I said, if there is another one that looks pretty much just like this, it is the fuel dampener for sure.

That mechanic is either trying to pull a fast one on you, or he is an idiot. There are NO rear axles on a maxima. Axles are what link the transmission to the hub (and from the hub to the wheels of course) Which propels the car. Our axles are in the front which makes our cars front wheel drive (FWD). Cars like the 350Z have rear axles because they are rear wheel drive (RWD).

 

There's a distinct difference between identification, and diagnosis. I was shooting for the former, but the latter seems inevitable.

So, what to do? I guess just go with it. No harm in helping when help is needed.

 

Excellent! You're right, there are 2 of them, one at the end of each fuel rail. That becomes obvious once you remove the engine cover.

Well done, essential1. You too, Perkman87.

BTW, I've since discovered that they clean up fairly well with a little metal polish. Go figure.

 

How about this sensor on the front-passenger side of the engine bay?

It sits just left of the dipstick, and has a green harness connector.

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edit: identified by Reizy as the IVT Sensor (Intake Valve Timing). There's one on each side of the block.

 

IVT solenoid. There is one for each bank.

 

(IVT) Intake Valve Timing Sensor? My God, there are a boatload of sensors on our engines!

So I just went and looked, and you're right, there's a twin on the other side of the engine, in the exact same configuration, it's just really, really hard to access between the block and the firewall.

Good one, Reizy.

 

Right in front, above the two rusty coolant pipes, there's a trio of wire harnesses. Honestly, I don't like the way their individual wires are so exposed, and would like to wrap them in some hi-temp 1/4 loom.

But anyway... what are they?

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edit: identified by knight_yyz as 3 of the 4 Oxygen Sensor wiring harnesses.

 

This ain't show and tell!
Two of them are O2 sensors, not sure off the top of my head what the third one is.
Don't you have a copy of the FSM?

 

all 3 are 02's the 4th one is hidden near the fire wall