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Nissan Maxima Maintenance and Repair

4048 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 4:23 PM

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#1744 of 4048 flicker by p100 Jan 26, 2004 (10:48 am)
Get a direct current voltmeter and attach to the battery terminals. Start the engine and watch the voltage. If the voltage regulator is working correctly you should see about 13.5 to 14.0 volts without much fluctuation. Turn on the lights and observe the indicated voltage. It should drop some (about 0.5 to 1 volt, depending on the load), but it should not fluctuate wildly. If you see quick voltage fluctuation, something like 12 to 15 volts, you probably have a defective voltage regulator. To check the ground wires, first check the negative battery cable connection to the engine block. You need a shop manual to see where other small grounds are located in the vehicle. Some grounds may be located behind the instrument cluster.
#1745 of 4048 04 Max windshield washer nozzles-response to # 1743 by p100 Jan 26, 2004 (3:10 pm)
It figures. The old hood mounted nozzles were too reliable and too easily adjustable, so they had to redesign them. All of my cars and trucks have hood mounted nozzles, so I never had problems like you describe.
#1746 of 4048 Ignition coils again by rad10 Jan 27, 2004 (5:25 pm)
I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima, had MIL lamp (Service Engine Soon light) come on intermitently since 7,000 with codes indication multiple cylinder misfires. First time I took it in dealer said it was "bad gas". After multiple times taking it in dealer agreed at 39,500 after warranty expired to replace all 6 ignition coils at no cost. Dealer admits Nissan has this problem. After changing all 6, car runs like new again. Nissan is offering to pay for these, just need to find a dealer who is willing to work for you and not try to rip you off.
#1747 of 4048 ignition coils by p100 Jan 27, 2004 (9:01 pm)
As I mentioned before, VW and Audi recalled hundreds of thousands vehicles recently because of faulty ignition coils. Nissan probably used a cheap supplier just like VW and Audi did. However, Nissan did not recall any Maximas due to faulty coils.
#1748 of 4048 Talking about the "Service Engine Soon" light....... by victord1 Jan 29, 2004 (9:12 am)
I just made the first unscheduled visit to the dealer. This past Monday, due to the extreme cold temp., I left the car idling for about 1/2 hour before driving. But as soon as I pulled out of the lot the Service Engine Soon light came on and it stayed on whenever the engine was running.   I checked the manual and checked the gas cap to make sure it was not loose as they suggested, and it wasn't.   Finally, today, I decided to stop by the dealer and had it checked out. I was told an O2 sensor had gone bad and was been replaced. The service manager said they didn't know why it went out so soon. I told him I hoped it won't happen again for another few years.   Is it typical for an 02 sensor to bad on a relatively new car, '03 w/11700 miles}????? I never let the car idling for more than 5 minutes before, always used 93 octane gas, and very rarely that I would race the engine......even then it would never pass 4000rpm.   My old integra went 70000miles+ before it needed a new sensor.
#1749 of 4048 by stickguy Jan 29, 2004 (12:30 pm)
just becasue the light went on with an O2 sensor code, it doesn't necessarily mean that the sensor is "bad". The diagnostic systems gets lots of input data, and interprets it (based on programmed parameters and tolerences). If it finds a reading that is out of range, it generates the code that the software tells it to. So, you are getting a OOS reading that is mapped to a bad O2 sensor as the likely cause.   Remember, there isn't a code for "loose gas cap", the OBD system just recognizes a vapor leak condition (IIRC) and trips the light.   It is very possible that if the dealer had reset the light, you wouldn't have had further problems (assuming no more super cold long idle sessions). But, take the free O2 sensor and be happy!
#1750 of 4048 O2 Sensor by ccermak Jan 29, 2004 (1:57 pm)
My rear O2 sensor went bad a couple months ago, to the tune of $330 at the stealer. I have a 2000 SE Max and it had about 55K miles on it when the SES light came on. After reading many posts on other boards besides Edmunds, I've come to discover that not only are coils a well known problem with 5th gen Maximas, O2 sensors are as well. There's even a TSB out there for the rear O2 sensor. It has to do with replacing the sensor and then reflashing the ECU (Computer) so the parameters that trip the SES light can be widened. Most tuners recommended just flashing the ECU as the sensor was probably fine and the ECU is just too sensitive. I opted to change the sensor but probably wouldn't if could do over again. Just my .02
#1751 of 4048 O2 sensors by p100 Jan 29, 2004 (2:18 pm)
These sensors are sensitive to alcohol contamination, so if you get gas with higher than permissble percentage of ethanol in it, it could contaminate the sensor. $ 330 for a sensor seems a lot of money. Aren't there aftermarket sensors for Nissan Maxima, like the Bosch brand that can be purchased for about $ 45? I own a Mazda 626 and O2 sensor prices are just as outrageous from the dealers. Auto Zone sells sensors that will fit my Mazda for less that $ 50.
#1752 of 4048 O2 sensor by ccermak Jan 29, 2004 (3:32 pm)
I tried for the Aftermarket O2 sensor. I was at Autozone to get the SES code read for free. We then went inside and the Autozone guy tried to pull up the part #. No such luck on getting Bosch. The only place to get an O2 sensor for a 5th gen Max is thru Nissan. The part alone was like $145!! Stupid thing looks like a spark plug. Then the "diagnostic" done by the dealer, which I said I didn't NEED because I knew the code already from Autozone's analysis (but the stealer talked me into because if they fixed O2 and that WASN'T the problem they'd have to start over and do anyway blah blah) costed $70, plus the labor of like 1hr($85-90) becuase the sensor was frozen in and they had to heat it etc to get it out, plus tax and whatever and BOOM we're looking at $330. I was appalled but the service guy gave me the rundown and I caved and paid just to get out of there. Now I'm back in the SAME situation only with flickering headlights, domelight, etc and a suspect alternator with no SES light to go by.
#1753 of 4048 O2 for $330 again by ccermak Jan 29, 2004 (3:33 pm)
I forgot to mention the $79 charge to reflash the ECU.

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