1996 Maxima randomly dies out

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destructo
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 4:21 pm
Car: 1996 Nissan maxima

Post

Hello, I own a 1996 Nissan maxima that has been randomly dying out on me. The first time it happened I was probably going about 55mph and the car began to surge and then it died out while driving. After I pulled to the side and restarted the car it seemed fine so I decided to chance it home. About 2 miles later it did the same thing going about 35 and I immediately thought it was a fuel pump so I called the tow. It has the problem both while driving and when at idle. The idle is only sporadic when I know it's going to die out but it can idle for 20min before it happens. One time I started it the first time of the day and it immediately died out. I pulled my spark plugs and although there were a little black I didn't see any sort of deposits stuck on them, I replaced them anyway. I have pulled my check engine light codes...P0445 has been causing my check engine light to be on for years it's EVAP Canister Purge Volume Control Solenoid Valve. I have never bothered fixing that because charcoal is in the lines and I have to replace several parts and blow out the lines (I don't think this is related to problem) The first time I checked it my new code was for O2sensor bank 1 sensor 1. I cleared the light and checked again. I now have 02 sensor b1s1 and 02 sensor b2s2. Could 02sensor cause it to out? is it the 02 sensor itself or could it be because its running rich/lean? I feel like this could be so many different things but idk where to start. Would a fuel pump slowly start to fail and still work most of the time? I feel that it's fuel related but have not been able to test the pressure. If it was my MAF or my Idle Air control valve wouldn't it throw a code? And I should mention that my car has 325,000 miles on it. I have had to replace several coil packs and fuel injectors and it does not feel like that problem. I'm not even getting a misfire code. My tank is always pressurized. So much to say lol... Any suggestions where to start guys? Don't got much money to throw at. Ty for any help.


destructo
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 4:21 pm
Car: 1996 Nissan maxima

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I have one more possibly related story. A few days before this started I had added a little oil to the engine and apparently I left the cap off. I drove for about 50 miles at speed up to 90 and when I got off the highway I could immediately tell something was wrong. Opened the hood and saw the cap off...but there was no oil mess anywhere. I sat for about an hour for it to cool to check the oil on her. (I have to wait AT LEAST an hour before mine reads correctly) Anyways I checked the oil and it was completely fine. Checked the next morning to verify...I had lost none. I don't know why that would be related but I have not changed the oil (because its quite new) and it looks fine on the dipstick. idk anymore... :wtf2:

NutriaforBreakfast
Posts: 1316
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:41 pm
Car: Nissan Maxima 1995 VQDE engine

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Really guessing here
If it was my car I would check the crankshaft position sensor -I think there is a engine light code for it
Then the alternator and battery
After that you are going to have to do a systemic check
starting with compression test since it has a lot ofmiles

destructo
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 4:21 pm
Car: 1996 Nissan maxima

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I have a new alternator, battery and starter. Cps could be the culprit but what's confusing me is that it's not a constant issue. The reason I think fuel is because it starts shaking when dying. Few questions...
1: If this problem was my Cps or maf or iacv wouldn't my car throw a check engine light code for it? Or not always?
2: will a clogged catalytic converter throw o2 sensor codes? I am throwing b1s1 and b1s2(Made typo in original post)
3: Can a clogged catalytic converter cause my car to only do this randomly? I understand backpressure could build but this has happened immediately after my first start before.
4: If my fuel pump was giving out wouldn't it just stop starting? Or at least throw a few misfire codes?
5: does two o2 sensors throwing codes at the same time point to anything? can a bad o2 sensor cause a car to die?

Once again thanks for any help


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