1990 Maxima SE running inconsistently
Thread Starter
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
From: Doniphan, Nebraska
1990 Maxima SE running inconsistently
I have a 1990 Maxima SE with automatic transmission and have replaced the following:
Mass Air Flow Meter, Distributor Cap, Rotor, Plug Wires, Plugs, Fuel Injectors, Fuel Filter, Ignition Coil, Coolant Temperature Sensor, Oxygen Sensor. I have also repaired all vacuum lines and cleaned the Throttle Position Sensor and Idle Air Control modules. I have also checked the codes on the ECU and it showed no problems. In the near future I plan to replace the timing belt, thermostat and water pump.
In spite of all the replaced parts and work I’ve done, my car is still not running correctly. On chilly days it will start and run great until warmed up. Then after the car warms up and kicks into overdrive it will start to stumble. On warm days it just gets to this point quicker. Also, after warming up, it tends to lag and sputter between 1500 and 2000 RPM from a standing start and then will do the stumbling thing when reaching highway speeds and kicking into overdrive. Another tendency it has is that when feathering the foot feet between 1700 and 2000 rpm it seems to accelerate more than the relative pressure applied to the pedal. Also, the exhaust gas indicates it is running rich.
Can anyone help me with what I should look at next, other than taking it to a good mechanic and having him put it on a diagnostic machine? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Mass Air Flow Meter, Distributor Cap, Rotor, Plug Wires, Plugs, Fuel Injectors, Fuel Filter, Ignition Coil, Coolant Temperature Sensor, Oxygen Sensor. I have also repaired all vacuum lines and cleaned the Throttle Position Sensor and Idle Air Control modules. I have also checked the codes on the ECU and it showed no problems. In the near future I plan to replace the timing belt, thermostat and water pump.
In spite of all the replaced parts and work I’ve done, my car is still not running correctly. On chilly days it will start and run great until warmed up. Then after the car warms up and kicks into overdrive it will start to stumble. On warm days it just gets to this point quicker. Also, after warming up, it tends to lag and sputter between 1500 and 2000 RPM from a standing start and then will do the stumbling thing when reaching highway speeds and kicking into overdrive. Another tendency it has is that when feathering the foot feet between 1700 and 2000 rpm it seems to accelerate more than the relative pressure applied to the pedal. Also, the exhaust gas indicates it is running rich.
Can anyone help me with what I should look at next, other than taking it to a good mechanic and having him put it on a diagnostic machine? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I know you said you replaced the plug wires, but I had a similar stumble after warm-up due to one wire arcing to the cylinder head. Make sure none of your wires has a crack (mine was at the boot). Sometime they get twisted during the assembly/removal process. If you lift the hood and rev the engine (by hand) when it is dark, you can see the current arcing from wire to head.
Just a hint in case your issue was the same as mine. New wire set and thing has run great since. Good luck troubleshooting the problem.
Just a hint in case your issue was the same as mine. New wire set and thing has run great since. Good luck troubleshooting the problem.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 23
From: PA
my maxima did that too every since i bought it. i finaly found out my crank angle sensor was the issue...full power now...depending on your year it could be easy or a beat job....in my 89 i had to replace the whole distributor seeing the crank angle sensor is a part of it....i think it is seperate on newer 3rd gens
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