My '98 Max (101k miles) has been intermittently running rough vs. smooth after startup:

1) Once i've started it up, it will run either rough or smooth until i turn off the car - but it never changes from one to another after it's been start up. If I start it up again at another time, it will again either run rough or smooth (it can change with each startup).

2) If the max is having one of it's "rough" runs, I notice that it tends to want to "push foward" when releasing the brake from a stop (without pressing the gas), and also I need to be more aware while braking because it's like the engine wants to keep pushing the car foward. On "smooth" runs, max feels like a regular car - stopping smoothly and easily, and moves foward "calmly" after releasing the brake from a stop.

3) Some other driving characteristics - on "rough" runs, max feels rougher over rough roads, and pushes more on turns like it has more understeer. On "smooth" runs, max runs smoother on rough roads and turns easier.

4) Idle seems fine to me during either situation.

Incidently, there has been a loud squeal with startup, worse on cold mornings, and i'm pretty sure it's coming from the starter - don't know if this would have any bearing on what's going on? I do know that the presence of the squeal is not associated with whether the max will have a "rough" or "smooth" run.

I know this all may sound crazy, but this has been going on for a couple of months now, so I've had enough time to pay attention to the max's behavior. Anyone have any ideas ??

 

I don't have any sugestions for a fix, but you probably will get more responses if you post this in the 4th Gen discussion area.

 

does ur in any way relate to the problem i have been having for 1 year already

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...l-problem.html

 

Thanks, I will try posting in the 4th gen forum

BTW, I am not sure if your symptoms are same as mine, though I do notice that the car tends to run smoother if i let it warm up for 3 minutes before driving off. Note, though that if i don't let it warm up long enough, it will not run smoother as it warms up during driving.

 

Confusing post.....

You say it runs rough, but then go on to say "Idle seems fine to me during either situation"?

Is the engine running rough under a load? ie-misfires?
Or is your transmission or TC acting up causing rough shifts?

A bit more info please or perhaps you might be better off having a mechanic test drive it.

 

I agree, it is confusing...

The engine itself doesn't seem rough, rather it the whole experience of the ride is -> when the ride is "rough", the car seems to want to push foward, roads feel rougher, turns are tougher (like understeer), but when "smooth" (such as the drive to work this AM), it is like a completely different car - the exact opposite of all of the above, the whole ride (bumps, turns, stopping) are so well integrated and smooth.

I have not noticed any problems with shifts.

I have been trying to let the car warm up for at least 3 mins. lately and I think it is making a difference, though too early to tell if there is a true correlation.

I will try to have my mechanic test drive it, but the problem is intermittent, and unless you drive the car often, you may not know that there is a difference.

 

Check your tire pressure and the overall condition of them.

 

I know what you mean about the tires, and I have noticed a difference with proper tire pressure, balance, etc historically, but this is all up to date.

 

hey im new here

may ur problem be electrical ?? . thats the only thing i can thick off. if some times the car is fine and other times its not

 

Maybe - I will have to try to run my problem by my mechanic.

BTW, my experiment on warming up the car before driving off has failed - the car can run smooth / rough independent of warm up.

 

t

 

What was the problem and the final fix? Just curious.