Hi community,


In the last couple of weeks, I have been experiencing an unusual problem with my Maxima SE. It will be running fine, and then suddenly the revs will drop off and the engine will cut out.


I took the car to my local Marlowes and they claim to have checked:


1. Fuel Filter.
2. Fuel Pump.
3. Knock Sensor.
4. On board computer.


They say they have checked all of this, but could not find a fault. Also, the way in which the problem is occurring is a little strange; it only seems to be happening in the warm weather (I live in W.A).


In the morning when it's cold, the car starts and runs perfectly fine, I usually drive about 20klms to get to work, no issues. But in the afternoon when I'm coming home, the revs will drop (auto) so suddenly that you would think I'd dropped the car into second gear. It will then stop, and if I leave it from 10 seconds to 1 minute, will start again.


No warning lights at all, and sometimes at idle in neutral it will just stop. The battery's in good condition, and all of the fluids are OK. The car is coming up to 186,000 kms, and I will be getting it serviced soon.


I get a feeling that it may have contaminated fuel in it. I've always used the one servo, and the guy at Marlowe's told me they've had know issues with that service station. In fact, my wife has a diesel Koleos, and every time we've filled up there, that has a power drop off too.


So, at this time I'm at a loss. The failures seem very random indeed, I can only say they happen when the engine's warm. Temperatures and pressures are OK, I get no warning lights. Since the problem started, I've refuelled this car three times, although I haven't filled it up.


I am all out of ideas; can anybody here help please?


Many thanks,

Andrew.

 

Get a gas can and fill it up with good gas..?

 

Check the ignition switch, it may be starting to fail.

 

Sounds to me like a bad MAF. Are you sure the check engine light works? I'd pull codes just to make sure. Cleaning the MAF would be my first step anyway.

 

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the advice. Took her in to an auto electrician this morning, who cleaned the MAF filter, and replaced some globes. What a difference. They also showed me that their computer codes indicated a Knock Sensor failure as well, I'll get that done next, I guess that explains the fuel consumption.


Lastly, when this car was worked on before, looks like they blew my radio, the unit has a single vertical line on the left, almost like a number one. No great loss, as I did not even have a CD player in there.


So, can you guys advise me if a standard sized radio/CD combo will fit? I've scoured the web but cannot find what sort of connection type are for the Maxima. If they are standard audio or DIN, I think I should be OK?


Thanks,

Andrew.

 

Replacing your tired primary O2 sensors will have a far geater effect on fuel economy than the knock sensor. You should replace the KS last after everything else.

The knock sensor only takes away about 10% of power by forcing the computer to run as if you have 87 octane gas in your tank.

If you are using 87 octane then don't replace your knock sensor. The car will run fine forever without it. But if you want to get the most out of your motor, all 190 HP with beefy midrange troque, then replace it, and fill up with 91 octane or better.


Goto to crutchfield.com. Click the car audio section, then Find what fits your car. Be sure to take the recommended accessory adapters and fittings they suggest as well.

 

A failed knock sensor does increase fuel consumption, in addition to loss of power.

 

The loss in MPGs due to a failed knock sensor is much less significant than from tired primary O2 sensors.

 

Of course, but the OP never said how bad his mileage was, nor did I say that O2 sensors weren't more significant. I was just correcting where you said that the bad knock sensor absolutely does not at all cause poor mileage.

 

Point taken, and I don't like you