OK here's the deal (skip to the end for the cliff notes)

My name is Jonathan and I own a 1995 nissan Maxima SE (Hi Jonathan)

When I bought this car, you had to dig the keys in to start it, but it ran fantastically once it was started. I ran it this way for 7 months for lack of funds.

Finally I decide to pony up the dough and I swapped the ignition switch.. no more digging the key to start, it starts right up.. YAY!!! (or so I thought)

all excited I start the simple mods on my car, folding back seat, beeping when lock, and other cheesey but unseen things, just making it mine.

a day or two later (after doing the ignition switch) it started to take a long time to start. it was cranking, but not turning over. frustrated I came to the ORG. and I searched... and I found CMax's solution to starting problems.. YAY, but it did nothing for me... (I used 2gauge wire from negative batter to upper starter bolt)

Then she stopped starting completely.. AAA to the rescue on a very annoyed Sunday. I pick up a starter, and with some ORG help, (mostly telling me, pick up a breaker bar, which was awesome btw) I swapped out the starter.

With the intake off, and throttle body so exposed, I figure I might as well clean it. went to a store, they didn't have TB cleaner, only carborator cleaner, guy says it does the same job or breaking up oil and gunk so I figured it was ok. Cleamed my throttle body (its so purdy now)

put all the parts back together and turned the key... crank crank crank pop crank crank crank, and a failnt turning over and SHE"S ALIVE!!! but took forever to start

I take her for a victory lap and call it a day.

******Cliff Notes******

after a long start the car idles flat at just below 1k

if I touch the gas, it stalls and dies...

Please HELP I cant afford to pick up a new car!!!

oh and here's a pict of her, so the title isn't a lie (pictures attract more people)

 

How's the condition of the battery and the terminals?
My original battery lasted 5 years and died on me while I was parked 2 floors down in my office underground parking.

 

redtop battery tested two weeks ago past with flying colors, same with alternator.. terminals are clean.

 

Fuel filter changed at all?

 

thank you for the help!!

 

No I have not changed the filter, you think thats the next step?

oh but I did recently clean my K&N though

 

Does it still take a while to start or justthat once after cleaning the TB?
Once it is running it idles ok and then stalls when you give it gas? If so, have you checked all the connections at the intake to makesure there are no leaks?

 

well it took a while the first time, that night, then I went to sleep.. in the morning it took forever to start... then I let it idle a bit... then it stalled out when I started driving out of my lot

once its running it idles ok and then it stalls when I touch the gas, yes that is correct.

I have not checked the intake for leaks... how could that cause it to just die like this though?

 

did you spray a lot of carb cleaner inside your intake or TB while the car was off? Usually you are supposed to spray it with the car on and throttle open so that it can blow it out. When you have a lot of carb cleaner in your TB/intake it wont start. If it does it will splutter and die. Check to see if the MAF is clean, if it cant read air flow then it will die. If your car starts leave it on for 5-10 min and hopefully it will be fine after.

 

Basically the cleaner residue needs to dissipate, usually with air flow and heat. Thats why I said leave it running for 10 min cuz your engine will get hot and it will slowly burn away. Hopefully this works. I hate using TB or carb spray. I would rather just shove a rag in and try to wipe it down. Its so annoying when your car keeps sputtering and dies... Also I only use the spray after I drove the car and the engine is hot so it dissipates fast and it doesnt die but thats just me.

 

yeah my engine was COLD when I sprayed it into the TB directly... so your saying, turn it on, let it run hot, and this may resolve itself, that would be GREAT!!!

any other ideas... Im at work now, so that makes the list of SH*T to do when I get home, but anything else

so far
1. check for leaks in intake
2. turn on car, and let run for 10-15 miutes

 

Suprised no-one recommended checking the code's........ And tripl check every vacuum line and electrical connector you may have disconnected.

Also, this is key.... You did disconnect the battery before replacing the starter correct?

 

I did disconnect it although it seems to have a bit of charge in it (even though the batter was 10 feet from the car) but no harm, it still cranks like crazy.. just stalls out on me when I touch the gas...

 

Check your codes also check the connector on the MAF because it sounds like the computer is not getting the proper air supply so as soon as you press the gas and drop more fuel you engine cant compincate and it dies. Check it out

 

i would go for electrical conncections make sure the vac lines under and on the sides of tb are attached listen for any hisssing. second check your TPS ssensor connectors make sure there firmly seated on each conncector...they should "snap" into place also check your IACV connection give them a good push to make sure there seated properly good luck

 

ok. im in my car now. it started right up. i popped the hood, the intake and vacuum lines sem tight... the clip to the maf sensor was a bit loose we'll see if that helps. its been running (to burn off the cleaner) for 12 min. hope this works!

 

good luck and hope everything is fine!

 

I took out and put back in the intake (plus all sensors/conections) let her run for 20 minutes and shes back (and better). she starts right up and no onger stalls. thanx everyone!!