2003 Maxima Throttle Problems
10-24-2017, 04:41 PM
#1
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 5
2003 Maxima Throttle Problems
I have a 2003 Maxima SE with 141k miles on it. Today I went to drive
up to the gas station and my car lost all throttle response on the road.
The engine was still running and I was still in drive, but it would just
hover at like 400rpms. When I pushed the gas the car took the throttle
for a second, lurched forward, and then went back to 400rpms and didn't
recieve input from the throttle. It does this about every 5-10 seconds. Also, the battery light and brake light were
flashing on and off together, sometimes staying on for about 10 seconds.
I managed to limp the car back home but the battery and brake lights had
gone out and the ABS light had replaced them (Not blnking). That is what
it does, I've checked the battery with a multimeter. With the car on it holds
14.08 volts steadily, which rules out the alternator (in my opinion i could be
wrong). I used my OBD2 tool and the engine throws a gear 1 incorrect ratio
code (P0731). It will randomly work normally for about 20 seconds then the
issues start right back up. I'm out of ideas and would like to see if you all have any.
THANKS and I'm so sorry for the length of the post, I'm rather upset right now.
up to the gas station and my car lost all throttle response on the road.
The engine was still running and I was still in drive, but it would just
hover at like 400rpms. When I pushed the gas the car took the throttle
for a second, lurched forward, and then went back to 400rpms and didn't
recieve input from the throttle. It does this about every 5-10 seconds. Also, the battery light and brake light were
flashing on and off together, sometimes staying on for about 10 seconds.
I managed to limp the car back home but the battery and brake lights had
gone out and the ABS light had replaced them (Not blnking). That is what
it does, I've checked the battery with a multimeter. With the car on it holds
14.08 volts steadily, which rules out the alternator (in my opinion i could be
wrong). I used my OBD2 tool and the engine throws a gear 1 incorrect ratio
code (P0731). It will randomly work normally for about 20 seconds then the
issues start right back up. I'm out of ideas and would like to see if you all have any.
THANKS and I'm so sorry for the length of the post, I'm rather upset right now.
Last edited by jaredh5694; 10-24-2017 at 04:45 PM.
10-26-2017, 12:07 AM
#3
I have a 2003 Maxima SE with 141k miles on it. Today I went to drive
up to the gas station and my car lost all throttle response on the road.
The engine was still running and I was still in drive, but it would just
hover at like 400rpms. When I pushed the gas the car took the throttle
for a second, lurched forward, and then went back to 400rpms and didn't
recieve input from the throttle. It does this about every 5-10 seconds. Also, the battery light and brake light were
flashing on and off together, sometimes staying on for about 10 seconds.
I managed to limp the car back home but the battery and brake lights had
gone out and the ABS light had replaced them (Not blnking). That is what
it does, I've checked the battery with a multimeter. With the car on it holds
14.08 volts steadily, which rules out the alternator (in my opinion i could be
wrong). I used my OBD2 tool and the engine throws a gear 1 incorrect ratio
code (P0731). It will randomly work normally for about 20 seconds then the
issues start right back up. I'm out of ideas and would like to see if you all have any.
THANKS and I'm so sorry for the length of the post, I'm rather upset right now.
up to the gas station and my car lost all throttle response on the road.
The engine was still running and I was still in drive, but it would just
hover at like 400rpms. When I pushed the gas the car took the throttle
for a second, lurched forward, and then went back to 400rpms and didn't
recieve input from the throttle. It does this about every 5-10 seconds. Also, the battery light and brake light were
flashing on and off together, sometimes staying on for about 10 seconds.
I managed to limp the car back home but the battery and brake lights had
gone out and the ABS light had replaced them (Not blnking). That is what
it does, I've checked the battery with a multimeter. With the car on it holds
14.08 volts steadily, which rules out the alternator (in my opinion i could be
wrong). I used my OBD2 tool and the engine throws a gear 1 incorrect ratio
code (P0731). It will randomly work normally for about 20 seconds then the
issues start right back up. I'm out of ideas and would like to see if you all have any.
THANKS and I'm so sorry for the length of the post, I'm rather upset right now.
If it's intermittent, then it will be harder to diagnose, but brake/batt is a dead giveaway. Alternator can overvolt, too, so don't assume batt has to die or low voltage be shown. The lights flashing leads me to believe it was overvolting and freaking out the computers.
A wonky VRM can overvolt whenever it feels like (seen it first hand).
I would just replace the alternator, but not from autozone, and don't be surprised if you get a bad one out of the box. I've had good luck with the ones from Advance, though (several with no issue).
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 10-26-2017 at 12:13 AM.
10-26-2017, 06:22 AM
#4
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iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
Check the power cable, also. The connections on the alternator, grounds and battery. Intermittent kind of seems like there's a loose connection somewhere. The same thing happened to my BMW E36, and after hunting all over the place for the issue, that was it.
10-26-2017, 11:28 AM
#5
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 5
UPDATE!
So I had it towed to a transmission shop because all of the 3 lights (ABS, Battery, Brake) were now off and the check engine light had replaced them with a confirmed p0731(bad first gear ratio). Turns out that the tranny was toast, and it's a $1650 repair. They said first and second gear were toast and metal was all in the fluid. But they did tell me that the car outside of that was in excellent shape (Which i had already known because it's a Maxima!) and that fixing it would be much better than buying a new vehicle. So thank you everyone for the responses!
So I had it towed to a transmission shop because all of the 3 lights (ABS, Battery, Brake) were now off and the check engine light had replaced them with a confirmed p0731(bad first gear ratio). Turns out that the tranny was toast, and it's a $1650 repair. They said first and second gear were toast and metal was all in the fluid. But they did tell me that the car outside of that was in excellent shape (Which i had already known because it's a Maxima!) and that fixing it would be much better than buying a new vehicle. So thank you everyone for the responses!
10-26-2017, 02:36 PM
#6
UPDATE!
So I had it towed to a transmission shop because all of the 3 lights (ABS, Battery, Brake) were now off and the check engine light had replaced them with a confirmed p0731(bad first gear ratio). Turns out that the tranny was toast, and it's a $1650 repair. They said first and second gear were toast and metal was all in the fluid. But they did tell me that the car outside of that was in excellent shape (Which i had already known because it's a Maxima!) and that fixing it would be much better than buying a new vehicle. So thank you everyone for the responses!
So I had it towed to a transmission shop because all of the 3 lights (ABS, Battery, Brake) were now off and the check engine light had replaced them with a confirmed p0731(bad first gear ratio). Turns out that the tranny was toast, and it's a $1650 repair. They said first and second gear were toast and metal was all in the fluid. But they did tell me that the car outside of that was in excellent shape (Which i had already known because it's a Maxima!) and that fixing it would be much better than buying a new vehicle. So thank you everyone for the responses!
10-26-2017, 07:35 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 115
I have a 2003 Maxima SE with 141k miles on it. Today I went to drive
up to the gas station and my car lost all throttle response on the road.
The engine was still running and I was still in drive, but it would just
hover at like 400rpms. When I pushed the gas the car took the throttle
for a second, lurched forward, and then went back to 400rpms and didn't
recieve input from the throttle. It does this about every 5-10 seconds. Also, the battery light and brake light were
flashing on and off together, sometimes staying on for about 10 seconds.
I managed to limp the car back home but the battery and brake lights had
gone out and the ABS light had replaced them (Not blnking). That is what
it does, I've checked the battery with a multimeter. With the car on it holds
14.08 volts steadily, which rules out the alternator (in my opinion i could be
wrong). I used my OBD2 tool and the engine throws a gear 1 incorrect ratio
code (P0731). It will randomly work normally for about 20 seconds then the
issues start right back up. I'm out of ideas and would like to see if you all have any.
THANKS and I'm so sorry for the length of the post, I'm rather upset right now.
up to the gas station and my car lost all throttle response on the road.
The engine was still running and I was still in drive, but it would just
hover at like 400rpms. When I pushed the gas the car took the throttle
for a second, lurched forward, and then went back to 400rpms and didn't
recieve input from the throttle. It does this about every 5-10 seconds. Also, the battery light and brake light were
flashing on and off together, sometimes staying on for about 10 seconds.
I managed to limp the car back home but the battery and brake lights had
gone out and the ABS light had replaced them (Not blnking). That is what
it does, I've checked the battery with a multimeter. With the car on it holds
14.08 volts steadily, which rules out the alternator (in my opinion i could be
wrong). I used my OBD2 tool and the engine throws a gear 1 incorrect ratio
code (P0731). It will randomly work normally for about 20 seconds then the
issues start right back up. I'm out of ideas and would like to see if you all have any.
THANKS and I'm so sorry for the length of the post, I'm rather upset right now.
10-27-2017, 02:52 AM
#8
And since I forgot...get a second inspection/opinion.
I've seen shops replace a transmission b/c maf sensor was bad. Of course they're happy to charge all that cash for work whether it needs it or not.
I've seen shops replace a transmission b/c maf sensor was bad. Of course they're happy to charge all that cash for work whether it needs it or not.
Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 10-27-2017 at 01:14 PM.
10-27-2017, 05:40 AM
#9
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 5,432
That diagnosis does seem sort of strange... I would think an event would lead up to that point, or you would hear some bad noises before completely being immobile. Also, some metal shavings in the fluid can be attributed to normal wear and tear. I'm with the others here - I think the issue is elsewhere.
11-05-2017, 06:23 PM
#11
Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 139
I had my 02 Max go into limp mode when the alternator was putting out 18+ volts. Car would start and idle, but no response from accelerator pedal. Car would die when put into "D". No SES light, but alternator and brake lights were showing. Replaced alternator and everything returned to normal.