Cold Start Issue

[brushandcr]

Model: Nissan Maxima 2000 SE
Miles: 112K

Issues:
Over the last couple of months during winter, starting the car and giving it 30 seconds before driving is producing issues. After the 30 seconds, the temp gauge is still below "C". If I encounter a stop light often times the RPM's will drop and while holding the brake (obviously since I am stopped), I can feel the car want to move forward. A few times while driving home in the dark, the dash lights flickered at the same time.

Workaround:
If the car warms up to close/at normal temp, there is no issues seen (in this cold weather ~5 minutes). This is not really a solution and my shop wants me to leave the car overnight and they can place on the diagnostic to try to determine the cause; they believe I am doing more damage than good and perhaps running lean/heavy.

I thought I would try to get some possibilities in case there is something easy to test/replace. At this point, nothing has been replaced except air filter which was dirty. Any thoughts would be appreciated as it may be a situation where multiple parts are thrown at it and would like to get it right immediately if at all possible. Thanks!

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Flickering lights problems might indicate an alernator issue. At this point it might
be intermittent and tough to diagnose with a multimeter. There are a lot of threads
to search for this problem so I would start there.

[brushandcr]

The problem is that I don't have my own equipment, other than the reader (no check engine and no pending code). If the car is started cold, the local shop said the diagnostic program that runs gives a lot more information and can help pinpoint the problem. Is that correct?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

i think so

[loystock]

Clean the throttle valve and IACV and if possible, the EGR tube. If problem persists, it may be the Coolant Temp Sensor. You may also have a 'sticky' starter.

[brushandcr]

I visited the local shop and they ran the diagnostics and took a look/cleaned at many of the parts and found no issues (no warning codes). They believe there is an issue with the idle relearn/program or computer itself. The dealer prior to troubleshoot a 'check engine light' had updated the computer (supposedly) as they was updated download/TSB but says an idle relearn was done (don't have the paperwork in front of me to get the full description). I can likely take it back to the dealer and have them check the idle relearn under the 1 year/10K mile warranty based on the previous work done.

Is it possible it is an issue with the idle relearn (reprogram if there was one) or computer? Is there anything that can be checked to see if it is the computer itself (which I doubt I would replace since the car is only worth $1,500 max).

Thanks.

[Maxman1951]

I have a 2000 SE with 248,000 miles on it. It is doing this exact thing and my mechanic says it is the idle control valve.
The part is not that expensive but apparently the labor can be costly. Check itout.