Driving home last night, my Maxima just stopped. Engine, battery and brake lights all came on the dash. Managed to get it off the road (Thanks, John, who came and helped push it up the ramp!), checked under the hood and got it started. It kept wanting to stall again, not holding idle at all. Very low power as well.

Today, I checked the OBD II error codes. and here's what I got:

P0101 Large vacuum leaks, Split Intake Air Boot or PCV Hose, Defective intake manifold gaskets, Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF), Mass Air Flow Sensor circuit and or wiring problems, Defective Barometric Pressure Sensor, Dirty or contaminated Mass Air Flow Sensing wire or filament, PCM software needs to be updated

P0301 Worn out spark plugs, ignition wires, coil(s), distributor cap and rotor (when applicable), Incorrect ignition timing, Vacuum leak(s), Low or weak fuel pressure, Improperly functioning EGR system, Defective Mass Air Flow Sensor, Defective Crankshaft and/or Camshaft Sensor, Defective Throttle Position Sensor, Mechanical engine problems (i.e.—low compression, leaking head gasket(s), or valve problems)

P0505 Defective Idle Air Control Motor, Intake Manifold Vacuum leaks, Carbon buildup in the Throttle Body air passages

TRANSMISSION
14 *Initial Start*

That's a pretty wide range of options. Any suggestions on where to start, or how to fine tune the scanner's diagnostics? Using an Autel HT200.

Thanks!

 

UPDATE: Started with the mass air sensor cleaning. It is holding idle now and is drivable. I've tried it on city streets, but haven't taken it out on the highway yet. It still feels a little tentative.

 

Now that the car is running again, are your brake and battery lights on?

 

Actually, I reset the codes and ran it around today. All of the dash lights were back to normal. The error codes were gone except the misfire on cylinder 1, so I'll be doing a replacement on all of the plugs and coils next weekend. It may not be the solution, but it needs to be done. I'm pretty sure those are the original coils (it's a 2000 A33), so it certainly won't hurt!

 

I had the exact same issue with my 2003 Maxima. The Nissan dealership diagnosed it as a transmission issue. I replaced the transmission with no effect.
I was getting something for my Tahoe at AutoZone and I mentioned the Maxima problem to the counter guy. He said it sounded like an alternator problem to him. So, I had the alternator replaced. Bingo! That was the problem all along. The alternator tested good, but was not working intermittently.

 

Yeah, diagnostics are like turkey hunting. You can look at the facts three different ways, but sometimes it comes down to intuition and gut feeling.