Lost its kick


I have a 2000 Maxima SE w/ 83.5k miles. A few days ago, I noticed something odd when accelerating. If I’m doing 40mph, at 2,000RPM, I will slam on the gas and rpm would nearly double. Then the whole car would ‘Kick’ and accelerate rapidly. When it ‘kicks’ you can feel the car almost jump-momentarily adding a ‘G’ of force.

In the last week or two, I noticed it doesn’t kick. When applying full gas, the RPM just gradually climbs, not jumping any more. Anyone heard of this?

I am quite concerned about this. I am due for an Oil change within two weeks, but not sure if this has anything to do with it.

(Also, not sure if this is related, but twice in the last month the engine struggled slightly to start when using remote start. When using the key to start, it’s fine.)

 

Auto tranny not downshifting? Make sure you're reaching the floor with the gas pedal. Also, try doing it manually and see if it still doesn't "kick".

 

It could be the MAF. I know when mine crapped out and i was on the gas it would shoot the RPM's way high and would not upshift untill i let off the gas. mine died around 70k. Have you noticed a change in your gas milage, that was also a sign when my MAF went.

 

have u changed your MAF before? how about intake? stock? K&N drop in? GAB? anything??>> i would say theres a chance it could be your maf besides the weird shifting.. dou you notice any loss of power at any specific RPM range?

 

It's his MAF. A bad MAF will also cause strange shifting behavior.

 

I have auto, and it never slips on me.

How would I check this manualy, for the kick?

If anything, my gas mileage has gotten a bit better since I had a warped rim replaced 6 weeks ago.

 

M.A.F.!! that is the exact problem i've been having and i am convinced a new maf will slove this, as it has for all my previous cars with this problem. a new maf is $80-100 if you call dave b and will make a huge difference!

 

I have the same problem, but since Im at school I barely ever use the car anymore so I havent really cared to get it fixed.....whats an M.A.F?

 

hey matt glad the MAF fixed your problem from before, i didnt keep chekin the thread to see the outcome.. anyways.. ZoutV def follow the advice and go for the MAF

rlsport87 Mass air flor sensor.. in the intake after the filter and before the throttle body,.. monitors the a/f ratio and tells the car how much air is comming in and what the ecu should use for fuel and ect ect ..

 

would this by any chance be covered under warranty if it goes bad?

 

yup, MAF or tranny, i guess change the MAF and see it that works, if not get ur tranny checked.

 

So, I called around to get prices. I live in Boston, MA area, and the service dept. at Quirk Nissan in Quincy, MA gave an estimate to replace MAF of $310-$360 for parts/labor/reprogram ECU.

(I also need a oil change, and they want $38 plus oil to change filter/oil.)

A local auto repair shop where I live (who I feel somewhat comfortable about) said if I get the MAF part on my own, they would instal and just charge labor ($60/hr). Then they said they would update the ECU. BUT, since they are not Nissan affiliated, worried about them flashing the ECU after the part change. It is a simple procedure to update it?.

Have a feeling Quirk Nissan is taking me for a ride

 

The maf takes 5 mins to change and my granny could do it. Dont pay a mechanic to install your maf. Courtesy nissan here in MD charged me $80 for a new maf

 

Okay, if I change on my own.......then how do I reprogram the ECU?

Is there a link/thread on here about changing a 2000 SE MAF? I am unable to search on the site.

Thanks!

 

well actually u can search.. its called google and theres a sticky on it.. besdies that.. change your maf yourself.. if u know how to use a wrench/rachet you can do it...u cant program the ecu without the consult II, dealer only, that being said IMO the flash isnt needed the ecu will be fine,...

and if u dont know where ur maf is ect..pop ur hood,.. find the air intake box(behind the battery) and your MAF is the black tube like 6 inches long with the wire going into it..kinda hard to miss.. basically u take everything off.. and just replace it with the new one.. simple as that...

 

[QUOTE=mist max2000]well actually u can search.. its called google and theres a sticky on it.. besdies that.. change your maf yourself.. if u know how to use a wrench/rachet you can do it...u cant program the ecu without the consult II, dealer only, that being said IMO the flash isnt needed the ecu will be fine,..QUOTE]


FYI the flash is a program that needs to be downloaded from Nissan. You cannot do it yourself, need a Consult. The code comes with the MAF, It will optimize the new MAF, but will work ok without it.

 

to VQ30GTR ,.. if you look at #15 i said I meant ONLY the dealer can provide the flash....i was trying to let him know that you dont NEED the flash because of how the ECU learns..

 

Yep sounds like the MAF, change the air filter if not new and then have your ECU reprogrammed.

 

So your saying the ecu does NOT need the dealer flash? What do they charge $80 bucks for it for then? and does this flash do anything else besides optimize the maf?

 

another vote for MAF. check this out. $6 cleaner instead of $100 MAF.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=496283

 

this has been debated before theres a bunch of threads on it,.. they say you need it to optimize performace hence giving u better gas mpg due to instant proper a/f ratios,... from what i know our ECU's can learn this over time just by the way you drive... i replaced my maf with no flash .. and everything was fine,.. not really advice just my opinion and what i did

 

start with the easy stuff man

could be just low/old tranny fluid

do a drain/fill or take it in for a good flush

you'd be suprized the difference a flush makes

K

 

it happend to my car with bad gas