2004MaxSE wrote:It seems my beloved 2004 Maxima SE is turning into a nightmare for me. I'm going to list the problems I'm having and maybe some of you can advise me what needs to be done to correct them. Keep in mind I live in a cold climate so some problems may be related to temps.
No Heat:My heat works fine as I'm driving but when I stop at a traffic light it changes to freezing cold air. I can't defrost my windows unless I keep the foot on the gas reving at around 2500rpm.
Brake Vibration: I have replaced my brakes twice now. All around and within 3 months I have the vibration right back again.
Front Struts: My car always had a rough (sporty type) ride to it but it seems to have no front suspension now and as I go over bumps I can hear a his like air leaking out
Wheel Bearings: I have replaced the rear wheel bearings on both sides. I now have to replace the front. I have yet to replace a light bulb of any sort, but all four bearings? what's up?
Windows Freezing: Every morning I have to run my credit card between the glass and the sill seal in order to open the windows. Is there a fix for this?
Hellicopter sound: When driving at highway speeds I get a subtle thumping sound from the engine compartment. I have no idea what it is.
Waterfall: It sounds as if I have a waterfall on the passenger side when I first accelerate. Normally a sign of needing a new heater core, but I have no sign of coolant leakage nor do I have fogging windows.
Shifting gears: Right from the day I purchased my car it would slip from 1st to 2nd gear if I accelerate quickly (in Drive)
Did I purchase a lemon, or is this all normal repair for this model car. Are any of these problems being resolved via "recall" from Nissan?
Any help would be appreciated
NO HEAT: is your A/C compressor making funny noises or your dryer could be shot. your dryer takes the moisture out of the air for your defroster as it pumps the hot air onto the windshield.
VIBRATION: i've had the SAME problem with my maxima ever since i bought it, you need to lubricate your Caliper Slides with grease, flush the brake fluid, check the thickness of your rotors or get NEW rotors. Be sure to not get air into your lines or you will have to start ALL over again. if you don't get the Vibration fixed it will take a toll on your other suspension components, wheel bearings, and possibly even your tranny and motor mounts. OH, check your tie rod ends for your steering, if they have play in them replace them.
FRONT STRUTS: You need NEW struts. if you want something that will last a long time go with the Tokico Struts. If you want to be able to adjust your shock firmness get the Tokico illumina's.
FRONT BEARINGS: Probably caused from your front vibration, the fronts cost A LOT more than the rears. You know your bearings are bad if you turn the steering wheel and hear a grinding/scratching sound. I fixed my front right hub and bearing b/c of the vibration i had.
WINDOWS FREEZING: if your windows are tinted you probably have felt installed that holds water, so that's not abnormal. But if you don't have tint, make sure the bottom of your doors drain holes aren't plugged with junk, because if they are clogged your doors hold in moisture and that can lead to rust...especially if you live around snow.
HELICOPTER SOUND: engine mounts, check them asap...or your crank could be out of balance, and causing your engine to shimmy at higher speeds. Clean your crank shaft sensor(located under your pulley behind your passenger wheel...you don't want to have to do a crank R&R.
WATERFALL: you don't need a new heater core, you just have to burp your coolant system. This would be a GREAT time to run Royal Purple's Coolant additive in your system. Flush the system with the front of your car higher(jack up on jack stands) than the rest of your car, and refill it the same way. You have air caught in your heater core, no biggy if you simply want to burp your coolant follow MinisterofDoom's directions involving parking on a hill, it's a lot easier...and it's free!!!
TRANNY: drain the approximate 4-4.5qts of tranny fluid out of your tranny and fill it with new cheap oil, drive the car for a day, then drain again and fill with Royal Purple AT Fluid...your tranny actually holds almost 8qts of oil, but you cant get it all out unless you flush ALL the lines, but this way you actively flush 75% of your systems old oil.
the shimmy is known in the 2004's so i've heard, but the cause(s) vary for owners...i'd start with a frozen slider
Keep us posted bro, it's not a LEMON so far, but it SURE sounds like the prev owner didn't take care of it at all...that was my case too i've spent thousands fixing my car check my profile, click on "lightsout" and view all the upgrades and repairs i've done to my 2000 Maxima SE AT
Peace Out