Hey everyone,
I have a 1998 Nissan Maxima. I'm having a hard start problem after the engine is warm, after driving. Starts fine first thing in the morning but every time after that it barely wants to start. Sounds like it's misfiring a bit too. I also have a strong smell of gas coming out of the tail pipe (all the time) and it seems my transmission has started to not know what gear it wants to be in at a certain rpm range. It's like I have to let off the gas slightly to let it shift. Possible ECU? Fuel pump? Fuel injector? EVAP? Cam position sensor? I don't know where to start.

So far I have changed the plugs, fuel filter, crank position sensor and checked battery. The MAF was changed about 3 years ago and I never had the ECU reprogrammed but it was running fine or seemed to be. I also changed the starter when I changed the MAF and wondering if that's going bad again. I know it could be so many different things and I don't have any codes which seems weird.

 

Are you randomly changing sensors without seeing any error codes or checking them with a DVM?

Trans shifting strange would lead me to measure out the TPS.
Engine running rich, hard starts would point to the ECTS. Use a DVM and compare it's resistance / temp to what the FSM says.

Have you scanned for any stored or pending error codes?

 

Several things come to mind. If you've never changed them before, do them now:

FPR
Primary O2 sensors
Tranny fluid (Dexron III or equivalent)

Refresh your automatic tranny fluid by draining out some old through the tranny bolt under the pan, replace with fresh new fluid thru dipstick. You may need to do this process several times after driving each time to really get all the old fluid out.

DO NOT FLUSH.

Since you notice symptoms of rich fuel smells, I would prioritize the FPR and O2s.

 

The only sensor I changed was the crankshaft position. The reason I did it was I let my cousin borrow my multi meter, I usually test everything. Once I get it back I'll test all kinds of stuff. I didn't know if someone had this kind of problem before and was able to resolve it. In fact I'm gonna get it back tonight. Anything else you guys think I should test?

I dropped my pan and changed my trans filter and fluid. Then I just did a drain and fill 3 more times after that to get it pink again. Is there a recommended fluid to use in a 98 Maxima? I used good old cheap stuff, Dexron3.

I also have scanned several times for stored codes to no avail.

 

Dexron III is the correct oil. Re-read the post by dwapenyi above your last post

Then check the items that were suggested by both njmaxseltd and dwapenyi.

 

So I should just change the O2 sensors even if they aren't bad? I had changed one about a year ago cause it went out, I guess changing the other would be a good idea. The fps should also be changed? Are these things that usually need changing after time? I passed smog with flying colors, I don't get it.

 

Scan it for codes. I don't agree with changing the O2 sensors, some people here are just convinced they get "slow". I would put money on the ECTS.

Save yourself money and shop at rockauto.com. ECTS is like $13 there.

 

https://maxima.org/showthread.php?t=76800

 

Wow Rock Auto is cheap. Do you recommend a certain brand on their sensors?

Still no codes when I scan it. I have heard that the ECTS is a common problem with no check engine light.

 

Ok this how I fixed my hard start issues with my Nissan maxima 1997 se automatic. I had to make sure my fuel injectors were good and they were but not the pintle caps that hold the O-rings together. The pintle caps were cracked and as soon as I Fixed those the car would start right away on every start. Then later on car would still start on the fisrt start but as soon as I would start after an 1-2 hours the car would start but would almost stall but it wouldn't and I figured it had to be a fuel pressure problem and it was. The fuel pressure regulator was good as I had a new oem one on. That left me to the fuel pump. I had put a an oem fuel pump that had 129,000 miles that I thought would run good but now I know no matter how many miles the pump has it can still be bad and it was luckily I had a oem Nissan fuel pump from 1995 Nissan maxima with only 176,000 miles and now no more problems. its been two weeks and now im finally happy that I don't have to work on my car anymore or worry about the starting because after 1 whole year it's finally gone. Its gone and now I am getting more gas millage as I filled my tank with premium 91 and I still a half of a tank with 180 miles. Im hoping to get at least 300 miles with a full tank of gas now that the car has no problems with 303,396 miles on it. Now if I can get 300 miles from my maxima now where I used to 260 miles with a full tank that would kick *** and I would be happy. Also is your mass air flow sensor oem Nissan or aftermarket, if its aftermarket get a oem Nissan because only oem Nissan mass air flow sensors work with the car. Basically no aftermarket sensor works with our 4th gens besides oem. Also I would not start replacing any sensors with out knowing the root cause first as their are a lot of sensor that control starting and fuel and just replacing a ect sensor without knowing its bad would be a waste of 60.00. Your problem is most likely fuel pressure. If you read up on the top, it says it started in the morning but then it would have problems which meant it was the fuel pressure. Replace the fuel pressure regulator before anything. A new Nissan one costs about 70.00 on amazon but you have to use your old o-ring. I went to the junk yard and found a good one with low miles for about 9.00.

 

I'm also thinking it is a fuel problem. I'm gonna be testing some things and I'll let you guys know what or if I find anything wrong. Thanks

 

damn 300k+ miles on the maxima, quite impressive.