1996 Q-45 very low idle ?!

[King Charles]

Car's been sitting for about a month I have momentarily cranked it. Today I go to move it & the idle is so low it almost stumbles & cuts off. I let it run with foot on gas for a few minutes to see if it would clear, but no luck it also wants to cut off when I put it in gear. Car's been running strong with zero mechanical issues prior to parking albeit there has been torrential rain here constantly for the last 2 weeks, could it be related ?!

I just picked up another car I hope my Q's not getting jealous w/ my attention focused elsewhere lol.

Edit : I do know it has been throwing knock sensor codes since July but was still running as strong as ever.

[94Q45Beast]

I was in the same boat as you...but not as severe, post6672502.html#p6672502 might help...although its not solved yet. but i'm getting close to sourcing the issue

[King Charles]

Thanks !

[King Charles]

It's just odd that it waits until I let it sit for a month(w/ 2 weeks of torrential rain) to do this. Last time I pulled codes it only showed a Knock Sensor in one bank & Vehicle Speed Sensor( the VSS which I replaced).

Can the KS cause this sort of thing, really strange as this vehicle's never given me any mechanical problems. I do realize it will be 20 years old real soon though.

[Skibane]

there has been torrential rain here constantly for the last 2 weeks, could it be related ?

Yes, it could.

Could be water in the gas, or a plugged fuel filter.

I'd probably start by replacing the fuel filter, adding a bottle of HEET Gas Dryer, and filling the tank completely with fresh gas to dilute the bad stuff.

[PetersQs]

This is common with a bad MAS wiring connection at the MAS. Pull the connector, clean the contacts and put it back in. Should fix it.

[King Charles]

This is common with a bad MAS wiring connection at the MAS. Pull the connector, clean the contacts and put it back in. Should fix it.

Any diagrams as to where the MAS is @, as I've had someone else doing all my work for me, but I am not opposed to getting my hands dirty.

Thanks

Edit : Does this look correct ? http://www.q45.org/maf.html

[goody90q45]

That's it. Start with cleaning the connector, tightening the pins and coating with dielectric grease and see if it solves the problem.

[King Charles]

Roger that !

[King Charles]

Cleaning didn't work so I ordered a re-manufactured MAF sensor off Amazon, should be here soon, let's hope this is the end of this saga lol.

[94Q45Beast]

hold up....you got a 96...can't you just use a OBD - ll scanner and get a full diagnostics including live data and determine where the problem is?

[King Charles]

Not sure last time(July) I ran codes it was Knock sensor bank 1 & Vehicle Speed Sensor(replaced) but was running perfect,I don't have a scanner & it won't stay running long enough to drive anywhere that does.

[King Charles]

Ok new MAF's here & theoretically if I were to unhook the old MAF & plug in the new sensor(without attaching it to the breather hose/air filter housing) wouldn't I see improvement on crank ?! Would I have to unhook the battery & reset it , I'm asking this because I want to save time if it turns out the MAF is not the issue & I go through the hassle of disassembling the old set-up & installing the new with zero improvement(plus I can return the part). I did notice the new sensor has 4 connectors & the old one is missing one(broken off).

[94Q45Beast]

will if you just connect the MAF without installing it then its not going to start, because according the the ECU, there's no air coming through.

[King Charles]

The only "install" is connecting the sensor then tightening the band that connects it to the hose lol. Oh well now it won't even start back up just clicking lol. This baby's about to be up on Craigs List lol.

[94Q45Beast]

you could buy a nissan cosult with the software for 25-30 bucks on ebay and get a full in depth diagnostics....that's what the dealership uses as far as what I have seen.