And the car will not run right.

After taking a fairly aggressive left corner the car lost power and the slip/tcs and service lights came on and the car acted as if it was in "safe mode". It would not rev past 2k which seemed to hit a rev limiter. If you idle and step on it, it will die. I have since disconnected the battery overnight and as I started it the motor started strong and idled without any lights but when I closed the hood the motor died. The lights (TCS,SLIP and SERVICE) are now back on and the car runs the same as described.


Any ideas anyone? Please help me with any ideas, the car might be going into the dealer in a couple days BUT I am now out of warranty and am looking to my .ORG members to help me first.

Mark

 

Engine\drivetrain has a 5 year 60K warranty. You've exceeded 60K (or is it 50K) already?

 

I'm at 44k is this sort of prob covered under the powertrain???

Mark

 

yes, since this has to do with the transmission itself....

 

Why do you think it's transmission?

I am 99% sure it is the ignition coil issue.

See: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=85185 and also the threads referenced within it (my posts.)

 

i guess that could also be the problem.... either way, it should be covered.

 

yeh it should be considered powertrain in my opinion, but even if not, this is now a KNOWN issue with a TSB, so the dealer is very likely to fix it on the factory IMO.

 

Well my prob doesn't sound much like that coil prob. The car hits a rev limiter at 2k rpm when reved in "N" The car will die if too much throttle is put in. I tried to start it today and it sounded like it pinged so bad it sounded like a rod knock then went away, but never a oil light. I have started it several more times never to hear that sound again.

It drives as if the TCS is engaged and cutting power to the motor all the time. This started with wheel spin around a left corner, shut off like it would to prevent slip then never came back.

Any ideas???

Mark

 

The pinging definitely shows that it is an ignition problem and more than likely the coils are bad. The reason it won't rev past 2k rpm is that the car is in 'safe' mode. It detected the poor operation and went into that mode to prevent any further damage caused by the pinging. There is a TSB on the coils and you should have no trouble convincing a dealer that you need the new ones.

 

I agree, in case it matters.

 

The dealer said without a doubt it is the MAF sensor and that the ECU needs to be reset too. What do you guys think? I ordered the sensor which will be in on Friday. Do you still think it is coils? The car runs extremely smooth just under 2k, could the dealer be right?

Mark

 

well, when was your car built? I woul also ask him to look into replacing the coils also.... if not now, they may later become a problem.

 

He could be, but in my experience usually isn't.

 

The car was built on 9-30-01 does it have bad coils?

I think it is time for a replacement, GS???

Mark

 

thats a late build, so maybe the coils could be ok.... but


replacement? GS would be real nice..... or how about dropiing an SC in there?

 

I always wanted to SC it but I was always waiting for the warranty to run out, well 44k in a year and a month, 60k will be here soon so what the heck, I think I like your suggestion!!!

Can I get mid 14s out of a SC Max?

Mark

 

WOOPS!! Sorry! The Max was built Sept 28 2000. Does that fall into the bad coils build dates?

Mark

 

from what I hear, most early 2k build had bad coils.... mine is a 5/00 build and I think I am on the border, so I guess you are later than that even.... I may just go ahead and order a set of coils just for my own peace of mind.... although I have not noticed any pinging yet.

As for the SC, you should definitely be able to get mid 14's out of SC'd maxima even with an automatic.