My 2001 Maxima runs good and idles fine, for a minute or two then it goes into fail-safe or limp mode and won't go over 2700 rpms. The service engine soon light was on and it has a p0403 code. My understanding is that is a EGR problem. The funny thing is the 2001 doesn't have a EGR valve. I pulled the throttle body off and cleaned it out. I pulled the upper plenum and put in a new gasket. The car still goes into fail-safe mode but no service engine soon light is coming on. I'm stumped does anyone have an idea what to check.

 

sounds like a bad maf b/c it doesn't rev any higher

 

When I first start it it revs 6k or more. Within 30 seconds to 2 min it will go into limp mode and that's when the rpm's are restricted to 2700 rpm's.

 

Looks like your 2001 max has a 2000 ecu..2000s have egr and 01s dont. The ecu is looking for something that is not there..peek down at ur ecu and you should see 3T or 3U. If u dont see that then it is likely not an 01 ecu in there.

 

I will take a look at the ecu and will let you know asap. Thanks

 

I pulled ECU it has a big TN on it. it's an A56-M35 Z08.
on the back side of it someone, probably from a wrecking yard, wrote on it with a permanent marker 00 Max.. Now all i have to do is either get a different ECU or trick it into thinking I have an EGR valve.

 

You can't trick the ECU...buy a 3T or 3U ecu, not sure which of the two...you can find on ebay for $100 to 150....and call a local locksmith to come program your keys.