So, I've had an interesting run with this Maxima in such a short span of time... I was wondering if I need a fresh perspective on this thing?

First I had a P0430 and P0302 codes, which eventually was just the P0302 code.. and I fixed that with a new OEM coil. After which, the code was gone but the idle seemed low and rough, although it never hinted at dying (it's that way to this day btw). Then I had a code for for the camshaft position sensor... fixed that by replaceing both sensors with OEM parts. Randomely, since the idle was still bad, I pulled a couple of the front plugs to find that they were seemingly original, or at least quite old (149k on the car), so I replaced all those with factory parts as well. Now I get a random P0300 code as I'm cruising home from Costco...

Ok, so a couple things I've noticed; the car idles rough at ~500 rpm. It never feels like it's going to stall, and the car revs smoothly through the powerband, but the idle is fairly rough once the car has sit for a minute. During hot days, when using the AC on the highway, the most of it's 255 hp. It's been cooler here in Sacramento, and the car seems like it has more pep to it during the past month or so. After doing some searching, it seems like the problem could be a number of things. I'm getting to the point where cutting my losses and selling it might be in my best interest. I really like the car but I don't use it for commute purposes ( I drive it 2 miles to the train station) or anything strenuous, yet it keeps costing me money... Any thoughts on any of this?

 

if it didn't have problems it wouldn't be a 5.5 gen and you wouldn't want to be bored so this is part of the fun you get when driving a 5.5 gen maxima. WHOOOHOO ARN'T YOU HAVING FUN !!

 

Haha, at this point in my "car career", I'm nearing retirement... hence why I like the Maxima. Smooth, fast enough, nice luxury parts, room for all my stuff and baby... but I prefer reliability over all. I used to have a 2002 I35 that at the time I got bored with really quickly, but it was a solid car that left a good impression. This one is not helping things...

 

Maybe tps could be the problem of rough idle? Not sure on vq35's but perhaps you can just raise the idle a bit with the idle screw?

 

You could have a lot carbon buildup, which can cause a low idle as well. Start cheap and get a can of seafoam(plenty of videos on youtube of how to do this). You could go expensive and get an Induction service using BG products(gets more out than seafoam will in my opinion).

as far as the codes go don't feel bad. My 2000 SE auto had 6 codes when i bought it(got it for really cheap). Fixed them one by one and I've had it for 2 years now and im code free(knock on wood) and running strong.

just my .02

 

Is your car 6 speed? If yes i might be interested in buying it. Let me know

 

I've fixed a random misfire code on a 2002 max before by cleaning the two ground wires on the engine side cover next to the oil fill cap.

Check for air leaks in the intake manifold.

Also check your motor mounts especially the passenger side mount, when it rips, it gives a nasty vibration on idle.

Clean your throttle body.

Might try cleaning mass air flow sensor with appropriate cleaner.

I would check the crank sensor. Does the car have any problems starting?

Hope this helps.

If you don't want to mess with it, put it up for sale in the classifieds section. GL.

 

look into a few extra thicker ground wires, aka grounding kit. it will not solve your problems completely but it will help GL

 

Should of stuck with the I35, same engine and way more luxury, and it didnt have no problems, had this 02 for a year plus now, switched out Radiator and Heater Core, and PS HOSE, think thats it everything else just wanted upgrades ......

 

My idle is normally low without the a/c on - maybe around 550 rpms. I also feel a little rumble but nothing that would make me feel like the car is unreliable... if it really bothers you, go to nissan and pay them $90 to raise your base idle speed with the consult II because the vibration is bothering you. Also, I've never replaced a coil pack at 167k miles and they're alright, so i hope you didn't junk your old ones!

 

**Update** The light shut off yesterday when I went to start it up on my way home from the train station, and has stayed off today as well... The idle was seemingly smooth this morning on the way to the train, so I wonder if that has something to do with it. The idle thing seems to come and go randomly... I wonder if it has something to do with fuel delivery...? I know the fuel filter is supposed to be lifetime, but we all know that's bs. The car has 149k of terrible California gas through it, I'm wondering if that isn't at least part of the problem...

Anyway, to the quoted text... yeah I had considered that, since the dealer has all the necessary tools for this sort of thing... I just don't want to start dropping money into things I'm not 100% will solve the problem. I bought the car for $5400 needing tires, and a set of struts, both of which I've yet to do since the engine keeps having issues.

Some good ideas above. I sold the I35 many years ago and I bought a MKIV GTI (wanted another turbo hatch), then sold that 4 years later and bought a hard top S2000, sold that and had a 3rd gen 4Runner I bought cheap, sold that and bought the Maxima. The I35 actually had less options than my Maxima does, and since they are the same platform, I don't see how they are "way more luxury". I actually prefer the look and design of the Maxima personally... well the rear end on the I35 does look a little better...

 

My low idle is intermittent as well. It's been doing it since I bought the car at 28k miles, but it doesn't bother me..

 

there are some people that state a fuel filter replacement created a smoother idle. so that is definitely something to consider. its fairly easy and the part isnt that much money. I noticed an instant 2-3 MPG increase once i changed it out around 144k miles.