96 maxima stalling and bouncing RPM gage

[cmlcsu]

I have a 96 maxima with 189K miles. Just recently the RPM's began to "bounce" around 500rpm when I am at a stop. About every other day the car will stall out when the rpm's bounce. Then, it takes a couple of cranks to get the car started again. Once we are up and running again, the car runs very sluggish for 2 or 3 miles. After the first time it stalled out I changed my spark plugs, and added some 44K to the gas tank because I thought it was bad fuel. But the problem happend again today. I am thinking it could be the fuel filter or O2 sensor. Any thoughts?

[jltibbs]

sounds like a vacuum leak somewhere near the intake. you can adjust the idle right where your intake meets the intake manifold, see if that helps if you don't have a vacuum leak. if your fuel filter hasn't been changed recently, you might ought to do so. its right there on the firewall & should only take a few minutes to replace.

[LA02MAX]

sounds like a vacuum leak somewhere near the intake. you can adjust the idle right where your intake meets the intake manifold, see if that helps if you don't have a vacuum leak. if your fuel filter hasn't been changed recently, you might ought to do so. its right there on the firewall & should only take a few minutes to replace.

Yes, just adjust the idle a little higher. It's a pretty common issue. You should see the adjustmetn on the IACV (Idle air control valve) near the throttle body. I've had to do it a couple times on my mom's 2k maxima (that now has 234k miles on it), and actually my car is having the same problem, but I cannot adjust it without a consult II becuase my throttle is electronic.

[cmlcsu]

but will the idle adjustment account for the rough acceleration and continued problems while driving?

I took the car to my mechanic today and he couldn't figure anything out. He said there was no info in my computer to help, and of course the problem didn't happen while he had the car. So I think I will make the adjustment to the idle speed tomorrow, and cross my fingers.

[LA02MAX]

sorry, didn't understand the first post. That actually sounds like a bad coil. With the car idling, unplug each coil one at a time. It should make the car struggle and run very rough. If it doesn't, it means that coil is bad, causing the rough idle your car is already experiencing. After that all you have to do is unplug it and replace it, and your car will feel good as new. Good luck!

[cmlcsu]

unplugged each coil for the spark plugs and all seemed to make the engine run like s***. Can the coils go bad slowley? one day they work and the next they don't? Because today on the way to work it ran like a champ. When i am in gear the Idle RPM is close to 400, and when I am in P or N the idle speed is close to 700 RPM. do these sound right?

[maxhopper]

The rpms sound right to me.

Unplugging the coils isn't going to tell you anything unless you happen to do it while the engine is acting up.

[cmlcsu]

Does anyone know if there is more than one fuel filter on a 96 maxima? I replaced the one near the fire wall in the engine compartment, but is there another one farther down the fuel line? also, do we know if the fuel pump is located in or out of the gas tank?

I am still having the same issues as before, but they are coming more frequently, so I am trying to trouble shoot as I go.

[maxhopper]

You have only the one external fuel filter (the one on the fire wall). The fuel pump (sender assembly) probably has some sort of screen or filter attached to it. The fuel filter is internal to the tank.

[cmlcsu]

if my fuel pump was failing, would the mechanic get a read out from the computer?

[maxhopper]

If he is monitorig the fuel pressure, he can tell.