Hi!

I just got a 1992 Maxima SE 5-speed. Just pick it up today, in fact! I'm a former Maxima owner, used to own a 90 SE auto, which I then passed to my sister. That thing was in our family for a long time! (Over 10 years!)

Anyway, the circumstances of how I got into the 92 Maxima was rather unfortunate. I crashed my old car and totalled it. As I'm not working right now (going back to school), I need to get into something cheap and reliable, and quickly! My mechanic has the Maxima for sale, and after looking at other cars that's within my budget, it seems the Maxima is a pretty good bet. I know my old one is reliable and last a long time. I decided to get it.

Anyway, I have some questions regarding the car:

What octane should I put into this thing? I know, usually you'd say "read the manual!" and that's what I'd do too. But the car's manual is missing, so I have a bit of difficulty trying read what is not there. I understand the VE engine needs premium fuel? If so, would 89/90 be OK or does it have to be 92?

The power antenna is not working. But the motor still try to pull the antenna down every time I turn off the radio. Is there a way to easily disconnect the motor? Maybe by pulling a fuse or something? I'd rather not cut any wire. Where is the motor anyway? It seems to be pretty well hidden. Also, is it possible to just replace the antenna with a fixed one? How?

My old Maxima has cornering lights, but this one doesn't seem to have them. Is this the case? Or did my mechanic just forgot to connect the wire when he put a new bumper and replace one of the corner light that was broken?

Lastly, do all 92 SE Maxima 5-speed comes with the VLSD? (meaning mine has it too)?

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the club! Search is your friend.

search

91 octane or above

Yes it should have cornering lights, check to make sure everything is hooked up, and the bulbs are still good.

There is a running debate on which VE's have VLSD, and which do not. You can find out most easily by looking at the tranny code on the firewall. If it ends in a 'V', you've got it.

Have fun here, and do your homework.

 

Yeah, 91/92 octane. It will choke on less.

How many miles?

 

Yeah, 91/92 octane. It will choke on less.

How many miles?

 

Hi!

Wow, that was fast! Thank you.

I did use the search function, and found several reference to the octane requirement, but they were rather vague (most seem to be of the "read your manual" variety.) Oh, BTW the engine does seem to bog a bit at low rpm right now, I suspect my mechanic put 87 octane gas in it. I'll put some 92 as soon as possible.

It has 143,000 miles, but my mechanic put another engine in it with about 90,000 miles. The old one overheated and bent the head, he said. He has the old one lying next to the car when he first showed me the car. So far there's no sign of the new engine overheating, even though today's a hot day, I was stuck in a traffic jam on the freeway, and the A/C is going full blast. It's a bit battered on the outside, but everything inside bar the broken speakers is working perfectly. Has leather interior too.

How can I access the cornering light bulbs? Are the cornering light bulbs the same as the parking light bulbs? Because those works.

Oh, one more thing: It seems that I can't lock the door with the driver's side door open (haven't tried with other doors open). The door locks would went up and down quickly several times before ending in the up (unlock) position again. But if I close the door and use the key to lock it, it works fine. Is this the way it's designed or is there a possible problem with the door locks? I might want to put a keyless entry as soon as I can get some money. Right now I'm flat broke!

Thanks!

 

the nissan manual suggests premium fuel for our cars, but it will run on regular...i personally have never put in anything below mid-grade (89), and although i went back to premium fuel when i got my manual, the car runs fine on mid-grade. i am not the most mechanically inclined, but the only noticable difference was my fuel milage when up 1-2 points (from 20 on mid-grade to 21-2 on premium) so its your call...u have me stumped on the door locks...our cars r "antistupid" as i call it and the doors won't lock w/ the key in the ignition, but they locked 4 me when the passenger side was open, i guess u could take apart stuff and look 4 a short or something...on the antenna, your radio should have a wire coming out the back of it that tells the antenna to go up. cut the wire and the awful noise goes away (i think)...u might just consider fixing it though, i was so glad when i got a new antenna and considering yours just has a stripped gear u can repair it 4 cheap instead of buying a new 1 for $100 like i had to do (mine didnt work cause the car was wrecked) and yes...as every1 else said, search is your friend, and i would say repair manuals r better, even w/ some of the good details on this site, u just can't do involved stuff w/o a chilton's....ok, my essay is done

 

Er, dumb me. I forgot that the cornering lights don't light up unless the headlights are on. So the cornering lights on mine works. Oh well...

Maybe when I got some extra money (will be months from now), I'll get the antenna fixed. I hope the motor won't be burned out by then!

 

Try holding the door handle up as you close it with the doors locked, I think the car unlocks if you close it without holding the handle up to prevent you from accidentally locking your keys in the car. If not it may be your lock timers (I think, search on this one).

As far as the antenna goes, on mine I just have it pushed all the way down and it doesn't try to move, maybe my motor is totally shot though.

Good luck w/the max and enjoy the VE power!

 

Ok, your antenna question is easy. I have a 92 se auto and the antenna motor assembly is located right under the antenna itself(duh). To get to it, open your trunk and look to the right, there should be a flap with clips holding it shut. Open this and you will see your jack, look to the left and you will see the antenna motor assembly. Use your flashlight and look around untill you see the wires going into it and simply unplug it I currently have mine unpluged as it is also broken. Everyone else seems correct in your door lock problem. When the keys are in the ignition, the doors will not lock if open, remove your keys and hit the lock. Word of advise, dont leave your keys in the car, the person that parks next to me just had his M3 stolen, I wonder why they didnt try to take my car?

 

Welcome back to owning a maxima.