2001 Maxima SE - Idle Air Valve Control - problems

[clintnsf]

My perfect/problem free 2001 maxima was in a front end accident and upon repair and 100k tune up, I started having erradic idle problems. I must report what an unsettling feeling it is to have the maxima that has started up with such reliability and uumph for so many years (8) of perfect rpms to be failing at stoplights and over idling at stoplights is very odd. The mechanic that did the body work is trying to fix it and said that he cleaned the idle air valve control and was letting it sit overnight to see if that would fix it. He also stated that it was common for toyota camry's to have this problem, but rare for this item to go bad in Nissans. Also stating that it is an electrical part and it will go bad at any point. I find it odd that it happens to go bad after the body work ?

[MinisterofDOOM]

IACV is actually one of the more common issues with the Maxima. Usually we recommend trying to clean it first as your mechanic did, but sometimes the part itself is bad and not just dirty so cleaning doesn't always help.

Most likely the bodywork timing is just a coincidence. If you question the mechanic's opinion, though, you might try suggesting that he test a known-good IACV in the car (or a brand new one) in the car before you pay for the part or the work. My guess is he's on the right track, though. Your symptoms are pretty typical of a bad IACV.

I IACV regulates idle throttle, so when it goes bad you get irregular idle issues, stumbling idle, etc. just like you're seeing.