Intro and 98 Maxima Idle/Acceleration Issues

[cdseeger1]

By way of introductions, I am brand new here on the forum, but I have driven a '98 Nissan Maxima SE for the last eight years and love it. It is one of the best cars I've ever owned! It just rolled over 164k and is still going strong except for this one issue...

As of the last couple of months, the car has started idling strangely. It doesn't do it on start-up, but once it warms up, it will start to act like it's misfiring / idling rough at lights. It gets hesitant under mild acceleration as well, but not under hard acceleration. I thought it may have been the spark plugs, so I changed them out-- the car needed new plugs anyway-- to no avail. I wondering if it may be a bad coil pack or the IACV? Maybe the camshaft or crankshaft position sensors?

This is the first issue I've had with the car that I've not been able to resolve on my own, so if any of you have had the same issue I'd really be grateful for some feedback.

Thanks!

[jltibbs]

If it were a coil pack, you'd have a check engine light. My 95 had 225k on it when I got in a wreck and the coils were still the originals. Have you changed the fuel filter or cleaned out the throttle body? Those would be the first places I would check.

Welcome to NICOclub.

[cdseeger1]

If it were a coil pack, you'd have a check engine light. My 95 had 225k on it when I got in a wreck and the coils were still the originals. Have you changed the fuel filter or cleaned out the throttle body? Those would be the first places I would check.

Welcome to NICOclub.

The car did throw a SES light a couple of weeks back, but it has since gone off; I'm assuming, though, that doesn't mean the code isn't still there. I just need to get it to a shop and have the codes pulled.

Fuel filter was changed about two years ago. I'll try cleaning the throttle body and IACV and see where that gets me. If that doesn't take care of it, I'll be sure to post again.

Thanks!

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Check egr valve-make sure it moves up and down when accelerating
with a glove hold your hand while revvng engine and feel it move at bottom of valve

[Towncivilian]

I'd still change out the fuel filter - more restriction can put more strain on the fuel pump and fuel filters are certainly cheaper than fuel pumps. I'd change the fuel filter every 2 years at least.

Welcome to NICO.