Anyway, thanks

[Dansmaxima]

I am gaining on my idle problems. I took the car for a 20 mile ride yesterday, washed it and started to detail it. Still have idle problems but it's better than it was, and I'm sure my lack of expertise regarding the programming aspects of this vehicle are part of what's stopping me. With the new iac and mafs, it's taking exactly 3 tries to start it. And it is idling a little too low now. If I could find a Nissan Dealer with either a competant technician or a desire to enthusiastically help fix the problem; I wouldn't mind paying. It seems the people I encounter are only interested in taking my money. This forum has been great!!! Thanks for the support!

[audtatious]

Are you still receiving codes or does it just run like crap without new codes?

Guess I'm lucky as I have a decent Nissan dealership in the area. If you have replaced the MAF and such yet the car is still stumbling it could be vaccum related or spark/injector.

[Dansmaxima]

Nope, no new codes as of yet. I've looked as closely as possible for hose related vacuum leaks. It has always run very smooth, but I will pull the plugs and see what they look like.

[audtatious]

Pulling the plugs is not an easy chore in a Maxi....

[Dansmaxima]

The spark plugs? That's the least of my worries. I got the big talent and plenty of tools. I only wish I was factory trained in engine control.......

[lightsout]

did you reconnect the vacuum hose under the iacv? clean the connecter with the proper solvent too. have you tried seafoaming the engine???

did you recently do any plug work, and mix up the order of the coilpacks?

have you tried to disconnect the battery for 15mins, and then reconnect it to reset the ECM(electronic control module)?

[Dansmaxima]

There is no vacuum hose under the iacv valve. There is a coolant hose.

Plug wires are correct.

Now it is taking quite a few tries to start it cold. It did the same thing on a short ride I took, the idle ran up and started to rev up and down. It straightened itself out when I restarted it.

I bought this car on impulse from my wealthy customers two years ago for $6k; the lady was going to trade it in and get $5k for it.

I'm totally willing to pay to have the car fixed; unfortunately I can't find an honest repair shop - especially Somerset Nissan- whose service manager tried to suck me in to a bunch of overpriced parts.

Very frustrating.

[Dansmaxima]

PS-- No sec light on. I have a generic scanner that will clear the codes for me anytime. There's a ground strap from the exhaust to the body, I'm going to check all the engine/body grounds; keep poking around.

I had the entire intake system off including the throttle body; very carefully reassembled.

I'm going to study the factory manual some more- it shows all sensors associated with the iacv, I think 11 or 12 of them.

[lightsout]

did you take off the IACV valve sensor, or take apart the throttle body??? if you did, and then reassembled it without using new gaskets, the gasket is your problem. is there ANY residue on the IACV sensor, connector, or body itself that would indicate a coolant leak???

[Dansmaxima]

New quality Japanese made iacv valve, everything carefully cleaned, new gasket, bolts retorqued to factory specs. No indication of coolant leaks whatsoever. I'm a meticulous mechanic and have restored over a dozen Jap motorcycles, and have always been able to repair my own cars.

I don't want to give up, but this is making me depressed. This car is in very good condition.

I'm getting ready to just sell it as is and take what I can get for it.

[lightsout]

wow ...i'm stumped

sorry i couldn't be any help

one last ditch effort...have you considered the Knock Sensor(KS)...it doesn't throw a code unless another sensor throws a code.

i cant think of anything else other than a possible bad sensor or a vacuum hose fell off somewhere.

[Dansmaxima]

Thanks for all the help! No need to apologize! this forum is what got me motivated to keep looking for the answer!!! The guy at the junkyard had extensive knowledge which was amazing; he recommended a garage to take it to. I'll check it out and see how sleazy the personnell are...