I would like to say hello to everyone. I just picked up an '85 Maxima SE for my wife. The car was my dad’s car that he bought new, after he passed away my sister bought the car from my mom. The car now has 115k miles and needs some help. I think this site is pretty cool I've got a few problems with the car; some were fixed by using the search tool so here are my questions:

1. When driving the car it bounces quite a bit and in a turn I can feel the steering wheel fighting me. My first guess it that the struts are shot and need replacement, but would that cause the steering to fight me in a sweeper turn where speeds are above 50MPH?

2. The Auto transaxle seems ok except for when I'm on the freeway it will shift into O.D. at around 65 - 70 then kick back down into 3rd. It did this several times until I turned the O.D. switch off. I'm going to change the fluid today and see if that helps. What else should I try?

3. The engine bay is so filthy I'm going to clean it before I start any other work. I plan to cover the distributor and remove MAF, cover the throttle body. Am I missing anything else?

4. I plan on changing all the fluids, brake, power steering, oil & filter, and transmission. Then a complete tune up plugs, wires, cap rotor, PVC, fuel filter, the timing belt was changed not too long ago, I'm not sure about the accessory belts. Any thing else?

5. I forget witch door, but the LED for the keyless entry is not lighting up when the keypad is pressed, but I was able to retrieve the code from the module by the rear speakers and reprogram a new user code. The system works fine except the one light will on come on. I did not see a part # in the owner or service manuals. Any ideas?

 

Okay, here's a few answers to some of your questions.

In order to check if your struts are bad, push down on each corner of the car. If they bounce then they're bad. You can also visually inspect them for rust. I just replaced mine with KYB GR2's a few months ago, and my car had about 110-115K on it. You can also tell when you're driving cause the car will handle like sh*t and if you slam on the brakes you'll start to lose control of the car. There was a bit of steering wheel bounce on the bumps too, so that's probably why it's occuring.

I'm not sure if there's a problem with your tranny or not. Sometimes the car will downshift if it's not getting enough power in 4th gear, so you may have to tune up your car.

Never bothered cleaning my engine compartment, so I can't really answer your question. In fact, that's the primary reason why I don't clean it, because of all the electrical components and sensors. I may have it professionally done in the spring, that way if they break something, they'll have to fix it.

I don't think you really need to change the power steering fluid and brake fluid. It won't hurt anything to change it, but it's probably more of a waste of money than anything. Definitely change the tranny fluid and I'd also flush and fill the radiator. Also, when you do a tune up, you may want to change the O2 sensor.

I have the same problem with the keypad not lighting up on the driver's side door, and someone else on the org has that same problem too. I have no clue what it is, but I don't believe it's the lights, I suspect a wiring problem. Mine hasn't worked since I got the car with 60K miles on it, however the passenger side one still works with nearly 120K on the car. If the keypad does need replacing, you'd have to get it from Nissan and I believe that they charge $100-$200 for it.

Also, you may want to check out the 2nd Generation Nissan Maxima Club on Yahoo, the link is in my sig. There's tons of links to sites to help you out, over 170 members, plus a lot of pictures of other 2nd gens.

-C-

 

1. Youre correct the struts are shot, Getting replacements look in the Performance links and youll find companies who have some for our cars. As for the Steering issue check all tires especially the front ones for the tread on them. Check the inner walls of the tires, they could be gone so bad that youre needing new tires, also check Alignment. First check tires and alignment then get the struts replaced if it still happens then it could be something in your suspension

2. Ok the O.D. thats temperature activated. It does that for safety reasons. It kicks in after the car is warmed up to a certain temp. It will be ready for engaging after just passing the C on the temp Gauge. If it is cold where you are at and your temp gauge is still close to the C then thats why. Or if after warming up and you start driving on the Highway and with the cold weather outside the wind gets it cold and will decrease the temp and when that happens it may go so far back that the transmission will disengage the O.D. So check where the temp gauge is at when it disengages.


3. You really dont need to remove the MAF sensor you could cover it but Ive cleaned it without doing all you are doing and everything is fine. Just make sure you dont have any air leaks to where water can get in the engine and youre set.


4. Dont forget the Air Filter. Im sure you didnt but it wasnt on your list. You got everything down so youre doing fine. For spark plugs best kind are NGK spark plugs. Theyre the best for our cars. If you know how to check timing check that too.

5. Do you have the Factory Service Manual. If not I have one for the 87 yr but Im sure the leds are all the same Ill see what it says about the led what could be causing it and if it has it the led bulb number for ya.

Congrats on the New ride they are very good cars with great engines. If you need anything hit all of us up here or go to the 2nd gen club site at Yahoo.com and there are alot of us there as well. Make sure its the one that says Official 2nd gen maxima club.

 

Another thing about that LED, I dunno if this is true or not, but what you could to is go to your local pull-a-part, a Nissan wrecking yard, and get the entire assembly for 10-50 bucks, depending on where you go. You can try replacing it, and hope the replacement has a functional light. Good thing is most yard offer a 30-day refund so if it doesn't work, well you can take it right back. Either that or call up your local dealer and see if the little LED is replaceable, if so, order the led.

Sarin

 

Thanks for the replies.

After the oil and fluid change the transmission is shifting just like it should. When the car was on my lift I noticed the steering boots are torn on both sides, at least the CV boots are still good. The struts are shot when you push on the any one of the corners the car just keeps on bouncing. I change those with the KYB's I've been reading about. As for the L.E.D.'s I'm going to check with Nissan so make sure I don't have to buy the whole keypad, if that is the case I'll see if I can get the right L.E.D.'s from an electronic supplier and solider them on the board.

 

Does the key pad beep?

Anyway it said check terminals 15 and 10 to see if they are 6v
if no good then it said faulty illumination circuit or poor connection

If it is good then try to connect terminals 15 and 10 together if it is no good then it states of a low battery,

if it is good then it said to connect the wires from the control unit to the keypad to see if anything happens and then if no trouble then the first thing was the culprit if not good then it said to replace the control unit

The thing is Ive never messed with the control unit so Id have to see if it has the terminal numbers on there or not if not then tomorrow I could check to tell you which is which.

 

I'll check out the connections first. The keypads work on both sides their is just no illumination on the passenger side. I've got the service manual from Nissan. I think I read the same thing about the terminals and the possible replacement of the control unit. I just though it was wierd since their is no mention of LED replacement and was not sure if their was a quick fix, like finding the 7 digit fixed number on the control unit.

Thanks for the info.

 

Yeah I was looking for that as well. I even brought the book to work to look at it to see if they have a pic of the led or anything. Only to find out is probably to go and disassemble. Or get a junkyard one and have fun at it.