Nissan Maxima 1996 dies down out of nowehere

[nishant]

Hi, My 1996 Nissan Maxima automatic stalls every now and then especially at slow speeds. The mechanic did the injector service and all the air filter and fuel filters are new but it still dies down out of nowehere. Also, I have to refill up the freeon 2 times in last 2 months. One mechanic told me that it dies down because of an Evaporator core leak that lets the freon leak on the computer and makes it die down. Other guy thinks its fuel pump. It runs smooth & fine when it wants to but dies down too. Sometimes it will start right back up and sometimes it takes 15-20 times and a lot of idle time to start back up. Please help!

[loystock]

Welcome to NICO.

Fix the AC leak first. If your mechanic is correct, aside from possibility of damaging the ECU, your car is polluting the environment.

Is the CEL on? If so, take it to Autozone and the likes for free diagnostic. Have you checked the fuel pressure - 34 PSI with engine running; 43 PSI with engine off, Ignition ON (5 seconds limit)?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Check and see if EGR valve is sticking

[nishant]

Thank you guys for the replies..I am not sure what EGR is and the car is at the mechanic's place so I'll let him check that ..He's thinking on the lines of maybe an idle cir control valve damage .... My car is 1996 and I don't wanna end up putting a 1000 dollars in it and still not have it working because right now its just a guessing game that my mechanic is playing so please advise ...Thanks a lot once again

[loystock]

The IACV is a stepper motor-operated valve, driven by the ECM (power transistor inside ECM). Coil resistance should be 30 ohms. If it is shorted, replace right away as it can 'kill' the ECM. Tell your mechanic to clean the MAF sensor (CRC MAF Sensor cleaner) and Throttle Body). Check for intake/exhaust leak. Again, check the fuel pressure - 34 PSI with engine running.

[nishant]

Thank you Loystock and Nutria ..I had another mechanic take a look at it and he diagnosed it to tell me that the knock sensor (code P0325), O2 sensor (code 0130) and EGR valve selanoid (P1400) codes show up so that is what is wrong...He is asking for 850 dollars for parts as well as labor on this (labor 450, parts 400) and I am not sure if this is what's exactly wrong since I've had different mechanics tell me different things ..Please advise what I should do..

[loystock]

How good is your mechanical skills and if you have basic handtools? We can help you DIY. If uncomfortable doing the job yourself, then at least advise your mechanic to at least check the following:
-Knock Sensor - typical resistance is 550K ohms (500K-620K ohms). Connector is on the front driver side. If the KS is original, then most likely, it's due for replacement. Usually, it fails open (infinite resistance). So if the resistance is too low or open, replace the KS. It's possible that the bad EGRC Solenoid Valve (P1400) caused rough idling and triggered the KS code (P0325). If KS resistance is withing range, replace the EGRC solenoid valve first, reset the ECU and see if the KS code comes again. OEM @ $45.
-EGRC Solenoid Valve - controls the EGR Solenoid Valve and can cause rough starting engine operation if failing. Spec for resistance is 30 ohms. The Solenoid Valve has a green connector near the Throttle Linkage and 3 tubings, secured by a nut under the housing (it think the nut is 10mm). Given the age of your car, you need a heat gun or hair drier to pull out the tube from the Solenoid Valve fittings.
-the 96 Maxima has 3 O2 sensors - 2 front and 1 rear (99-CA and 2000 onwards have 4 - 2 front and 2 rear). In my experience, I have not seen O2 sensor causing rough idling/engine operation. Usually, it results to rich mixture and thus poor mileage (and may damage catalytic converter). P0130 indicates problems with Right Bank (Cylinders 1-3-5) Front O2 sensor, related harness, etc. At normal engine operation, @ 2000RPM, the front O2 sensor signal should fluctuate from >0.6 VDC (Rich) to <0.35 VDC (Lean). Replace if out of range.

Please refer to the attached link for more information about description, trouble codes and diagnostic.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/1996/EC.pdf

[twatkins01]

Nishant...Did you ever find out exactly what was wrong with your Max? Mine just started doing the exact same thing. Read the previous blogs and I'm going to check them all but wondered if you found anything exact? Thanks, Tim

[nishant]

Tim, so far the car hasn't been fixed yet as I am waiting on the parts (oxygen sensor, egr valve and knock sensor). I got all 3 of these from EBay for 111( new) and jut waiting to pu them in. The mechanic is pretty confident that's it's the solution so let's see and hope for the best. Will keep you updated once I get my car fixed. Good luck!

[twatkins01]

Nishant, Thanks! I will do the same. Tim

[twatkins01]

Nishant, I was lucky and went and bought a fuel pressure gauge and all I had to do was change my fuel filter. However, did check the EGR valve, installed new plugs and the max is back running like a dream. Have 198K miles. Great car! Years ago I had a problem similar to what you're having. Took it to NAPA and they tested for error codes and the O2 sensor code came up. I'm pretty sure it was the O2 sensor...been along time. It's the sensor just before the catalitic converter. Anyway, bought a special socket, let the car cool and changed it right there in the parking lot. No problems since. Let me know what you find. Thanks, Tim

[bvgetiw943]

I had a problem with my car stalling at low speeds. I removed the MAF sensor and cleaned it with MAF sensor cleaner. The fix took about an hour and I havent had a problem since. This is a helpful video i found online on how to do it. It's a little dumbed down, but the removal procedures are there.

http://www.streetfire.net/video/how-to- ... _80603.htm