Newbie with car that stalls intermittently, need help.

[magic_max]

Hi all! I'm a newbie to this forum. From the threads I've read so far, this seems like a really friendly forum. I've been a member of the maxima.org forum (since 2002) for a while. Anyway, on to my problem.... I used the search and had 1 result that had a similar problem but I thought it would be better if started a new thread instead.

#####################My car stalls at random. Coming to a stop or during acceleration. At times, I can be driving on the freeway and for a split second, seems like the air or gas flow stops and you will feel the car jerk. Other times the car sputters and stalls, other times I don't feel it sputter but the steering gets tight and I know the car died---this happens when coming to a stop or driving slow so far.

I've done these simple things to try and solve the problem:

1) No engine check light and no codes using OBD-II reader.2) Replaced fuel filter (Nissan one).3) Removed throttle body and everything before it to the air scoop and cleaned it thoroughly. Air filter is fairly new.4) While TB was off, shot TB cleaner into the intake manifold and at I think the IAC valve4) Seafoam through the brake booster line5) Sprayed the MAF sensor with Throttle Body cleaner. (I'm aware that they have a MAF sensor cleaner but NAPA was out at the time. I've cleaned the MAF sensor with TB cleaner in the past with no problems and no check light this time.)

Car info:a) 117k milesb) 60K tune up at ~65-70k. Did not do 120K tune up yet.c) Auto transmission, stock air box and stock intake, disposable air filter.

Getting desperate, please help.

thanks,magic_max

[ne00]

Same stuff happens to my I30 except never while I'm driving. Always at a major traffic light or in traffic, or during a hot soak.

The jerking has to do with your Knock Sensor.

I've had the following done to my car. Don't take it to a dealership, they suck...I tried them 3 times and gave up..they kept on trying to adjust the IAC Valve when i told them it wasn't the problem.

Possible busted thermostat. Replace your coolent sensor, replace your knock sensor. Also possibly related to your O2 sensor.

[magic_max]

Thanks for the reply.

So you never had a engine check like come one or get codes? So far, my check light has never come on and I don't have any codes when I check with the reader.

[maxhopper]

I would first clean the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve, and then look at the EGR system. Directions to clean the IACV can be found in the how-to sticky at the top of the forum. Replacing the EGR valve (or cleaning the EGR tube) is quite a bit more involved.

[lowblocks]

the same thing happen to me even after i cleaned my maf sensor so just to see if it was my maf i used my friends and it was my maf so your maf could still be the problem so use one of your buddy's maf so u dont have to buy 1

[magic_max]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I just removed the intake manifold collector and I"m going to clean out the ERG tubes and IACV valve. The EGR tube was almost shut. I removed the collector because I need to change the gaskets for the collector and valve covers, and I figured I'd do it now. As a last resort, I'm going to try and swap the MAF with someone. I only know 1 person who I can possibly swap with, otherwise I'll buy a used one or something.

Thanks again and I'll ya'll posted.

[gunsmoke]

Same exact thing was happening to me! I took it to my mechanic buddy and he replaced the cam sensor and crank sensor and it hasn't done it since.

I believe the cam sensor is visible on the left side of the motor??? It was leaking oil from there so I wanted it replaced anyway. Not sure which one did the trick but don't care now that I don't have to throw the car into neutral as I'm coming up to a traffic light and rev the crap out of it in hope that it won't die.

[magic_max]

gunsmoke,

So no CEL and no codes? Did reving the car prevent it from stalling? Reving did not prevent my car from stalling.

Thanks!

[gunsmoke]

Nope.

Sometimes I could just feel it starting to die, like I think you were saying. The car just started to feel "dead" so I'd flip it into neutral real quick and start gunning it rapidly. Most of the time something would trigger and it'd start acting normal again. It happened a lot when it was cold, I guess as cold as it can get during a Texas spring day! haha

The car ALWAYS started right back up again as long as I didn't try and help the starter with the gas. Sometimes it would kill even though I tried revving it in neutral and I'd be coasting along with a dead car, so I'd turn the key and fire it back up, stick it in drive and keep on going like nothing ever happened! haha

One time we left a store and it just wouldn't start at all. I sat there and waited for a minute before I tried again and she fired right up! Weird. It's like it got in a funk in some way and it just happened to get in the funk just before I shut it down to walk into the store so I didn't notice that it was on the verge of dying as I pulled into the spot????

Anyhow, one or both of those sensors fixed the issue and we're good to go now.

[magic_max]

I ended up ordering a new MAF from South Point Nissan for $385.00 and my car runs beautifully again.

Thanks to those that chimed in.

[maxhopper]

So happy that you got it sorted out!

We try to be as helpful as possible here; but as you know, sometimes it can be one of several things causing the problem.

Thank you for the follow up post! Feel free to hang around, chat, post pictures of your Max, and offer advise to others less experienced.