I just recently purchased a used '99 Maxima SE (41k miles on it) and after about a month and a half of driving am starting to experience what feels like an engine misfiring. I'm hoping this is something as simple as a bad sparkplug (it's late when I'm writing this, so I have yet to do an extensive check under the hood). What I'm wondering is, are there any other things that I should be concerned about?
Well, I checked out the spark plugs and they seem fine. I also checked the MAF sensor cable and it was snug and secure. Despite the high cost I always use Premium (92 octane) gas. Any other possiblities? I wish i knew how to read trouble signals.
I wish i knew how to read trouble signals. [/b][/quote]
Is your check engine light on? If it's not on you won't have any codes. Did you ever replace your fuel filter? If you haven't I would replace it. They're cheap and pretty easy to replace. Max's don't seem to have too many driveability problems unless they're fuel related. On the older ones you could have ignition concerns but with the distributorless ignitions on the newer ones it's not likely to happen. Hope you fine the cause. Post on here when you figure it out. I'd like to know.
Now that you mention it, the "Service Engine Soon" light does flash when I accelerate to a decent RPM. When I'm sitting at a stoplight and I feel the misfire the light doesnt come on, but when I accelerate and get the engine up to about 5000rpm (to test trhe engine and make sure I wasn't just imagining things), the SES light flashes 13 times then usually it turns off. Just today though, the light stayed on, and continues to be on after I start up the car.
I havn't even checked the fuel filter, but I'll definately do that now.
Check the gap on that plug and check the resistance on that injector. If you have a service manual, it tells you what the min. and max. for the ohm reading for injectors. If it is out of spec, you will need to replace that injector. For sure replace your fuel filter, it's supposed to be changed every 30k miles. Keep me posted.
When you check the spark plugs is the plug for cylinder 1 cleaner than the rest? If it is you may have a bad ignition coil which could cause the spark plug to not fire. Try to disconnect the coil when the car is idoling and see if the car boggs down when it is disconnected, if it does not bogg down, then it is firing, if it does then it is working. If you have a multimeter you can check the coil for continuity. Also try to replace the spark plugs, that could be all you need.
Well I've discovered that it's a bad coil. I switched the number 1 (the cylinder that was givin me problems) coil with the number 3 coil, and ran the car. While running, the engine light came on again, so once I returned home I proceeded to do another ECU check. This time it read as a Cylinder 3 Misfire. The next question is, does anyone know a good place to find a coil for a decent price?
I can't believe I've got the same problem. '99 SE with 60K miles. A little bit of a miss while it's sitting still, but accelerating causing severe miss. Today, for the first time the "service engine" light started flashing as well.
Let me know exactly what fixed your problem. I'm going to go ahead and change fuel filters though, although I rarely have a car problem that is solved inexpensively.
well, changed the fuel filter this evening; no improvement.
Went to AutoZone after getting the flashing "service engine soon" light, but their tester came up with no faults. I guess the light needs to stay on for their tester to work.
What are "coil packs" anyhow? I just bought the Haynes manual, but I haven't read up on them. Are they fairly easy to replace?
Linear Mode
