2000 Maxima 5sp 197k

Computer shows a bad coolant temp sensor code that returns when cleared.

I have a weird issue occurring. Can't seem to nail it down, but I'm starting to think it's a timing issue now. But it's not constant.

Sometimes, it won't start. Sometimes, while attempting to start it, it'll have a stripping sound. Not sure how to describe it. I'll try again and it may do it again. I'll try again and it'll start up.

That usually tells me that a sensor is screwing with the timing, causing it to be adjusted way off, but only temporarily, because the next time I go to start it, it may start right up.

The other thing that's occurring is, I'll be at high speed and suddenly, the car bucks, like there's a total loss of power. It's breif. It doesn't feel like a miss. It feels more like a crank sensor going out. But it has two new crank sensors on it.

This problem was REALLY bad to where it wouldn't idle, so I changed the MAF and it immediately fixed it and it ran great the first day. But today (day 2), it has bucked twice at high speed and it's had the starting issues.

At some point before I found out the MAF sensor was bad, I noticed that the last shop that worked on it had left two hoses unplugged that T together and go to the MAP sensor (marked as "boost sensor" on its casing). One of those hoses was plugged into the VIAS control solenoid valve, but if that were broken, the car would just feel sluggish, not buck or have starting issues. Not sure if that contributed to the problem or not.

So does this sound like a sensor changing the timing?

If something's changing the timing, what would it be?
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