I have a '01 SE and I noticed when I'm using the cruise control there is a slight power surge up and down the whole time, it's just enought so I notice it. I apologize if this question has been asked before, but I'm new around here and the search doesn't seem to work. Any help would be great, thanks!

 

I have noticed that at random times on my 02. And it is not just when I am on an incline. I always initially fret about it thinking my trans is slipping but it only happens during cruise control.

 

YES, BUMPING AN OLD THREAD. But it only has two posts... and it's exactly what I'm asking about lol.

I also have this issue on my '02 I35, but the surge really happens only on downward slopes that require light throttle, not no throttle at all. On level or uphill surfaces, cruise works fine but on slight downhill roads the car just surges. As if the throttle is reduced to being an on-off switch instead of a potentiometer. Haven't found many posts about this with answers or reasons why it happens.

 

I've heard that you are not supposed to engage the cc on anything but relatively flat ground. I think for the exact reason that it will cause surges. I know that post doesn't really help, I just thought I would add what I had heard.

 

i always thought it was misfiring when in CC...my 5 sp when in cruise at 3k rpm surges like being lunged forward and then let off, forward then let off and so on...i always thought it was misfiring...has happened for as long as i can remember

 

Amsave, same feeling I get. I've never felt this in another car before.. this is the first car I've owned that has electronic throttle control, so I thought these symptoms were just characteristic. But I have used cruise on other cars with electronic throttles and they haven't had the surging problem. Pretty sure it's not a vacuum or misfire issue because it never happens when cruise is off.

If every Maxima does this, I guess they're just dumb and don't know what to do down hills haha

 

I have this same issue, but I don't know if it is down hill. I always assumed the car just was not able to hold a constant vacuum and it was having to adjust all the time. That's just my theory.

 

If the car surges with cc on your 3.0, tighten up the outer throttle cable. Mine used to do that when I had some slack in the outer throttle cable.

 

Mine does this too on my 01 and i explained it to my father a few nights ago and he thought i was crazy. I said here are the keys go on the highway and you'll notice it right away. My bmw never did this at all, i don't use the cc on the maxima casue of that. Although i do think i haev a related issue as i noticed my CC cable is sticking so i might replace it. I have a feeling the wire is frayed inside and is ctaching and getting stuck.