I'm going to update this post as I progress with this mess.

I don't know what you want to call this type of thread, but I like to think of it as my "Project/Fixer upper" thread even though it's still my DD.

Well It's been about a year now since I purchased my 3rd 4th gen Maxima. It's a 96 SE 5spd with the winter package which had the auto climate control, leather seats, dual power heated seats (though the driver side heated seat doesn't work but it's AZ, I don't care.) Dark forest green with tan interior. Not the best ext/int color choice but whatever. The green is growing on me.

Now before I start with my story I want to make known that I'm not a mechanic. I do a lot of reading and research on the .org. I can do your basic oil change, exhaust install ect... I'm still learning about how a car operates.

I bought this car after selling my 88 Toyota 4x4 4cyl 5 spd. Awesome truck. I put a set of 32in BFG ATs and took it off road a lot but unfortunatly it came from the factory with no AC. I decided I needed something different and practical for the AZ summer. So I found this Maxima. Only 4th Gen in my price range with a manual transmission in AZ. $2200, bought it and everything was great. After a week of owning it the AC went out. Turns out it was the "clutch fan" thingy that on the side of the compressor. Replaced it and attempted to get the emissions done but didn't pass. The reason was because it hadn't completed the drive cycle and after having the drive cycle attempted several times on my own and even 2 days worth with a mechanic I still couldn't figure it out. After using all available tempory tags that were offered through the Phoenix MVD I was at a loss.

Some of you might remember my posts from before about asking about this problem and after a lot of research and trial and error nothing was working. Checked for a code at autozone and there was nothing. I was about to give up on this car when one day I pulled into my driveway from work and there was smoke coming from my engine bay! My temp guage was fine. So I opened up the hood and to my surprise there was a small, fist sized fire where my alternator was! I ran inside and grabbed my fire extinguisher and put it out. Had it towed to a shop and had them replace the alternator and harness.

Now, I remember before when I was trying to get the whole "failed emission thing" worked out I would have the key in the acc. position and all the lights on the dash would come on except the CEL. Which should come on even without a code, right? weird. But now, after the alt installed and fixed I'd put the key in the acc. position again and BAM! The CEL light was working. Started her up and it dissapeared. So I went to Autozone to check if they were any codes again. No codes. So I went down to the emission place again for the 5th time and passed! My only speculation is there was something with the alternator wires that was faulty and not allowing enough power to the ECU to complete the drive cycle. (Does this make any sense?)

After a couple months of having a legal registered vehicle some problems started to occur. Since I've owned it I've replaced/fixed:

AC Compressor
Alternator
driver side front wheel bearing
driver side axle
Clutch
o2 sensor
Tires
Cleaned TB
Cleaned MAF

I currently have a code for my transmission
It says : P0705-Park neutral position (PNP) switch fault. Probable cause: Open or short circut condition or Failed PNP switch.

No idea but my mechanic said something about a main shaft bearing broken. I really don't know. I still need to get some quotes from transmission shops to check it out. It shifts just fine and still drives of course but there is this horrid clacking sound that gets louder the more you accelerate. Ideas?

Future fixes:
Tranny
Brakes (warped)
side molding (cracked to **** so I pulled them off)
passenger side wheel bearing
passenger side axle (cheaper with wheel bearing replacement)

The max has about 200k miles now. I bought it with about 182k and the odometer stopped working and now only works sometimes. So I'm guessing about 200k miles. Motor still pulls strong with no hiccups or hesitation. I want to keep this car and make it my own learning expirence/project. I could buy something newer but I really don't want to finance and paying $70 a month for insurance is awesome for a young guy like me.

I've been on the forums for a few years now and just wanted to share my most recent expirences. I like to think I know a lot about maximas but I'm lacking on the hands on expirence.

Here's a pic of when I first got my 96:



I'm going to take some better pics tomorrow hopefully. Only difference is I had tint installed. Much needed for the AZ summer. Also, I got rid of my broken BOSS headunit and installed my Kenwood headunit which had an Ipod adaptor for my Iphone. No more radio!

In the future, once I can get this car to a solid state I'd like to mod it a bit. Nothing big, just some coilovers/wheels/exhaust or something. Still not sure. Just need to make a good DD first.

Thanks for reading guys. Comments/suggestions/critics welcome.

Kevin

 

Did your car spend a little time in the Northeast before happily moving to warmer climes?

Nice car btw. Happy modding.

 

i like that color...

 

yes actually, I'm guessing you can tell by the rust on the outer part of the wheel well in the pic? I actually bought it from a guy that moved here from Michigan. It spent it's whole life there except for the past 15 months or so. Rust isn't too too bad. The worst part is the radiator core support which looks aweful. The only surface rust is where you can see in the pic on both sides. Other than that the underbody isn't bad. Also, the engine bay looks really dirty since I haven't cleaned it.

Thanks for the comments

 

great to see you figured your problem out. Its weird how things work out sometimes. Are you considering any modding?

 

Yes I'd like to do some mods, nothing major. First I'd like to get some 4th gen SE wheels. I would go with 350z wheels but I just bought new tires last month and the tires I bought would fit the stock wheel size. Next would be lowering, I was think Ksport coilovers or something alike. More for show and some fun. Maybe do some autox. After lowering I'd put this stillen front lip that I've had laying around for awhile. Then exhaust with the y-pipe.

So in order:
SE wheels
lower (I want a good, low stance)
Stillen front lip
Exhaust (y-pipe-back)

Then things like:
Short throw shifter
upgraded brakes (since I need new ones anyway)
00vi

The roof spoiler is growing on me

 

GL with whatever you do to her.

 

Yup, the weather is rough on cars up here. Glad yours didn't take a real beating. I've had wheel wells pertnear fall off up here.

Somebody mentioned it already but great color too. Oh and tint that bad boy, asap!

 

already did had some limo tint installed haha. A must have here in Phoenix. No trouble with cops either

 

another 88 toyota to maxima owner huh lol....

i sold my yota about a year after i had my max...wish i never sold it

 

I have some se wheels laying around... LMK

 

I haven"t seen a 4th gen at stock height in forever. Happy Modding

 

SIC A$$ GREEN WILL LOOK SIC WITH LIMO TINT ON IT!!