When the weather gets to 0 deg F or colder my car will only start on two or three cylinders. Sometimes it won't even start. You can hear it pick up cylinders as it warms up. The car then runs fine and hits on all 6 cylinders. The only error code that comes up is the P0134 code. I can't figure out what is causing that code. Has anybody ever had this issue? Any help would be great. I'm sick of this

 

o2 sensor decided to die

fix it asap

https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...704-p0134.html
https://maxima.org/forums/5th-genera...on-issues.html

 

That wouldn't stop the cylinders from firing.

Check the spark plugs?

 

is it cranking slowly? if that the case, I would have your battery tested see if it's bad, since I noticed mine was cranking longer to start, and my battery was on it's way out, so when I replaced it with a new AGM battery and noticed how quick it crank up. Especially now with the colder weather, so check your battery also the cold crank amp minimum should be 550 any less, it won't start or too long to crank.

 

This could also be a bad ECTS (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor). If it is inaccurate, the ECU doesn't allow the fuel injectors to spurt out a rich enough enough fuel mixture for cold weather starting.

They are not super expensive, $20 - $25, if you want to try it. A better way is to test it first. A better OBD II code reader will also display the coolant temperature. Hook it up before you start the car and it should report what ever the outside temperature is. A few degrees off won't make any difference, but if it is reporting 80º, that is a problem.

 

I checked and replaced the spark plugs already. just had time to replace the o2 sensor and it still does the same thing. Battery is fine and it cranks over fast. I will check into the coolant temp sensor. I don't think that would cause the car to only start on two cylinders though. I could be wrong.

 

Have O2 sensor replacement cleared P0134 code?

CTS could be quite relevant since your problem is temperature dependent and this is the only sensor which makes fuel-air ratio temperature dependent. More exotic cause could be intake manifold gasket leak- you have it while cold but as engine warms up gasket expands and leak disappears.

BTW, did you replace your spark plugs with OEM ones? Maxima engines are very picky on the plugs.

If you slightly depress accelerator pedal during cranking- does it fire up right away? Since it's 3.0L this would give it more air (and fuel) and it might help to start.

 

upper intake manifold gasket. Flattened over they years..expands when the car is warmed up.

 

I put in NGK plugs. The car still started crappy with the old plugs in it. I think they were Autolite. The intake gasket makes sense. I will have to try and get that checked out. I hope it isn't hard to do.

 

That would have to be a massive leak across all cylinders.

Maybe it's a good ol fashioned regular vac leak.

 

I believe the common way is to spray small amounts of starting fluid when engine is running around intake and monitor engine's sound. If it changes (because some of the starting fluid got sucked in) - you have a leak. Just don't over- spray, the liquid is highly flammable.

Does the engine pick up rpms when cold (and almost dying) if you depress gas pedal?