Ok my 2000 maxima engine has 195k tranny 80k. I just changed the water pump and thermostat prior to this trip but the oil pressure light would come on when my foot is on the brakes at a light. I didn't pay it no mind because when I changed the oil it went away. I drove it from NY to FL and it would overheat if I went over 85 mph for too long but if I slowed down it would cool back off. It happened about 3 or four times and the first 3 times I stopped n let it cool off for a lil, but the last time i just slowed down n let it cool off. When I stopped for gas I realized the car was misfiring at idle speeds and the oil light came back on but I was able to still drive it home. I changed the valve cover, IACV still same misfire. It gave me a multiple cylinder misfire code and I tested the coils by disconnecting the connector one by one and when I disconnected the plug from coil #5 the car stayed on and kept misfiring and didn't stall like how it did when I disconnected the other coils. So I know its a problem with coil #5, so I put a brand new coil and same problem. Took it to the dealer they told me I needed to change my main harness and ecu. The ecu was burned out so I replaced it. I changed the oil and now it smokes white real heavy on top of the misfire, I don't see and leaks outside the engine but I did notice some oil in the spark plug tubes but I know its not leaking around the valve cover because I changed both of them. Im getting ready to change my O2 sensors and oil pump next week.

My cruise control doesn't work
and my engine light doesn't seem too work

Any suggestions on what could be the problem????
Thanks ahead of time

 

how much money you have spend so far in this car?
which valve cover did you replace? if there is oil on the spark plug tubes then the oil is getting in the spark plug tube...
you mentioned changing oil and this and than....
my advice will be to start monitoring the oil level in the engine first... was the new ecu reprogrammed by dealer?

 

The ecu was programmed but not by dealer. i changed both valve covers and put about $1000 into it

 

The oil pressure light could come on at idle if the engine rpm is too slow. So what rpm does the engine idle at when you are in drive with your foot on the brake? Before you replace the oil pump, do an oil pressure test. The pressure should be at least 10 psi at 700 rpm and at least 56 psi at 2K rpm. The oil pressure sending unit could be the problem, so test first.

Your engine light (Service Engine Soon) could be a burned out light bulb. The light should come on, with all the others, when you turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position but don't start the car.

The cruise control could be just that the rubber bumper that operates the disengage switch on the brake pedal has fallen out. Happens a lot.

 

sorry to hear youre having so many problems OP, but your situation is a tough one. Is there a reason why you replaced the water pump & tstat?

Was it overheating initially?

Sounds like the ECU got fried because of a leaking IACV valve. and since then you have been having problem after problem. I would say test every component separately, one at a time to determine which one is the one giving you problems .

 

I changed the water pump because it was bad, coolant would leak out as soon as the engine warmed up a lil bit, and once it leaked out it would overheat. I changed the tstat because my heat wasn't working

 

OK and how do I check the the oil pressure? with what tools?

I will try to check the bulb, no sure how to get to it but I know its gotta be behind the dashboard.

The cruise control light will blink a couple times when you press it but it won't stay on

 

You don't need to get to it to check it. Reread what you quoted:
Turn the ignition switch ON, but do not start the vehicle. Several lights will come on...check engine, oil pressure, battery, etc...does the orange check engine light come on at this time?

 

Sorry I meant to say that it doesn't come, so I know i have to replace it

 

HHHMMM


no heat?

engine running hot?


Have you tried to check to see if you blew the head gasket?

No heat means no coolant is being circulated through the heater core .

have you tried doing a head gasket integrity check? they sell the kits at NAPA for cheap and it will tell you if you have combustion gasses in your coolant .

blue liquid you put on the radiator cap ( while the cap is off ) and run the engine, if the liquid turns green or yellow, you have a bad head gasket.

 

well the heat works now, and the engine doesn't overheat in city driving

I will do the integrity check asap

 

it just seems strange that you ( i assume ) werent having problems until you changed the water pump & t stat.


did you have any problems before the repair?

 

You have to get an oil pressure gauge that is on a flexible tube/hose. Take out the sending unit by the oil filter and screw in the gauge.



To change the SES light bulb, you have to remove the instrument cluster. It's relatively easy. Here is a how-to video for a 4th gen max that is very similiar, if not identical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2gPo...ure=plpp_video

 

No I didn't have any problems before my repair besides overheating to do a leak from the water pump

 

Thanks man I appreciate your help