I am troubleshooting a friends 2004 Maxima 5sp auto. He originally brought it to me to look at because it would get stuck in 5th and generally ran like crap. I checked the trouble codes and it had several for p0345 Camshaft Position Sensor. I replaced the spark plugs, the front camshaft sensor, and air filter. I took it for a test drive and it ran great aside from shifting a little hard, so I went to the dealer and picked up some fluid for a swap. I drained out the old and filled with new checked the level and went around the block. I checked the fluid again and it was about a quart high, so I drained a little more out and rechecked. I went for another test drive and after a couple miles it suddenly died and would not start. It will turn over and act like it wants to start but will not catch. I had my code reader with me so I checked and it had a "P1800 Manufacturer contrl transmission" and "P0021 Camshaft Position Actuator A - Bank 2 Timing over advance." I cleared the codes and it still will not start so I called AAA to tow it home. We get it home about an hour after it dies, and I go out to push it down the driveway and just for laughs try to start it and it does! I ran through the gears a few times and left it running, and after about 10 minutes it died again and will not start. I wait about an hour and it will start again and run for 10-15 minutes, then die. Rinse, repeat. I checked the camshaft position sensors according to the shop manual and they were good. I checked the IVT control valve and it cycled when voltage was applied. all the hoses look good. I still need to crawl under and check the crankshaft position sensor. Any ideas on where to go from here?

 

Sounds complicated. I'd like to know too

 

After much troubleshooting, it ended up being the first camshaft sensor I bought was faulty.

 

I was about to say that or the other CSP sensor. Sounds like a headache.

 

yup ^