Automobile / Nissan / Maxima

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Question: 2002 Nissan Maxima mileage: 75,000. When I turn my car off lately it ticks, what is that about? Sorry I don't know what category to look under. I live in subtropics if the heat makes a difference.

Answer: From the noise you describe that what you are hearing is the exhaust pipe contracting as it cools down.

Question: 2001 Nissan Maxima  mileage: 95,000. I recently hit the curb pretty hard with the car. The tire didn't blow but it was enough to knock the car out of alignment. I took the car in for an alignment and they cannot seem to get it right. From what little knowledge I have on this subject I understand that there is only a camber and toe adjustment on the car. The car normally pulls slightly to the right and when I hit the gas, it really pulls to the right. The mechanic, according to the alignment machine, got the car at L .10 and R .10 for a total of .20 toe. Do you think that going a little more toe out will solve the problem or do you think it's something else?

Answer: We suggest taking your car back to the alignment shop and have the front suspension on the side of the car that hit the curb thoroughly checked for bent or broken components.

Question: 2000 Nissan Maxima SE  mileage: 5,800. Had 1st oil change at 3000 miles. Replaced original oil with 5W-30 Mobil 1. If I continue to use synthetic oil, how often do I need to change my oil?

Answer: We would recommend following the manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule because failing to do so may invalidate your new car warranty.

Question: 1999 Nissan Maxima  mileage: 105,000. Bob and Ken great site. I've read the other digital dash answers you've provided to for other owners, however mine is a bit different. All gauges, the speedometer, fuel, everything works fine, however when it's cold out it takes the display a good 50 minutes to come on. I've been told that it must be a problem in the power supply to the display. Anyway, I'm pretty handy as far as repair but don't know what component on the power supply board could be bad. Any ideas? Also, are the schematics for this digital dash avail anywhere or are they kept in a vault somewhere in Japan.

Answer: The actual digital dash circuit board does not have a wiring diagram. On a normal wiring schematic it only shows the wires going up to the display. We do not know where the power supply is on the circuit board. We replace the entire circuit board when the digital dash fails. If per chance, a crack in the circuit board is causing your problem and you can locate it, you might be able to have it repaired.

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Question: 1987 Nissan Maxima  mileage: 95,000. When overdrive button is on the vehicle will shift in to a locked converter mode after appropriate speed. The problem while driving on interstates that have long down grades is my engine temperature falls, and when you nearly get at the bottom the transmission shifts out of overdrive and causes the vehicles rpms to surge ahead about 700 rpm like you down shifted (actually slows vehicle like you down shifted) and it will not return to normal until you have driven sufficiently to recover some of the engine temperature, the overdrive feature starts working again. Transmission was completely flushed and new oil put in by a machine at a under car facility. Oil is still nice and pink, seems to smell okay. Really ran smooth in the warmer weather. Temperature now that is giving me these troubles is about 28/29 degrees outside.

Answer: The overdrive in your transmission is controlled by a temperature sensor on the engine. If the engine temperature gets too cold, it will drop it out of overdrive. Try replacing the thermostat in your car with a 195 degree one.

Question: 1995 Nissan Maxima  mileage: 125,000. About 20,000 miles ago I had #1 fuel injector replaced on my car. This August they replaced #2. I recently took my car in because my transmission is not shifting right and was told that my #1 fuel injector is bad again. They cannot find out about my transmission until the #1 fuel injector is replaced again! Another $350.00. What can be causing this and do I have any recourse. I have always made sure to put good gas in my car and had all the service it needed. Except they also told me, it is due for its 60,000 Service, which will be another $350.00.... I can't afford all of this...

Answer: 20,000 miles is a little soon for a new injector to go bad. What comes to mind is the possibility the fuel filter is letting sediment pass by which ends up plugging the fuel injectors. The #1 injector may be the first one on the loop. If the engine is not running properly, it would be difficult to diagnose transmission problems. The 60,000-mile service probably includes replacing the timing belt. Sorry we wish we could help you more.

Question: 2000 Nissan Maxima  mileage: 75,600. I purchased the car in August 2000. The first week I had it back to the service dept for a pull to the right and had an alignment done. That solved the problem, but noticed a light vibration through the steering wheel, gas pedal, and front seats. This is most noticeable at 60 mph+ and only on a really smooth road. To make this as short as possible, the dealership denies any vibration. I had a firestone shop balance the tires, then rotate, with no difference. I took it to firestone again to rebalance and there was found to be a tire out of round. These are Toyo 215/55/16's. I sent the tire to toyo and rcvd one in exchange. Balanced and mounted, but still have the problem. A Firestone technician drove the car and noticed the vibration. Two new Bridgestone's were then installed in front, which took some of the vibration out of the front seats, but overall the vibration was still present. I had the original tires remounted and suppose the next step is to call Nissan. This vibration is a bit difficult to notice at first as it feels like it may be the surface of the road being transmitted through the car (normal road feel). On the interstates in my area, it is not noticeable at first (not the smoothest around) but on the smoother repaved roads I travel on daily, everyone who has driven the car (again, service dept being the exception) readily notices the shake/vibration. Could this be a characteristic of the toyos, as the Bridgestone's that were temporarily installed on the front seemed to help a bit? The service dept said 'everything' had been checked out, but on the other hand says there is nothing to check (no problem), as they were not able to replicate what I said was happening. This is with me in the car at the same time, telling the service mgr I can feel it while he was driving. Again, this occurs on all roads but being more easily noticed, the smoother the road is, at 60mph+.

Answer: From what you have described, it would appear that your alignment may not have been done correctly.

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Question: 1998 Maxima  mileage: 42,000. Recently I replaced the tires on my 1998 Maxima SE with new tires (215 55 R16). At about 70 mph and beyond, the car feels like it has a major wheel balance problem that has developed just since the tires were replaced. After 3 balances the problem is only getting worse. The car used to ride great with the original tires but now rides very badly - especially at highway speeds. Do you have any ideas what may be causing this?

Answer: You may have a tire with cord separation or possibly an out-of-round tire. There is a slight chance you need to have your wheels aligned.

Question: 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA  mileage: 134,000.  My Maxima climate control (ac/heater)fan is stuck on HIGH. It keeps running no matter if manually change the setting, change from AC to heat even if I turn it off.   The only way I can turn it off is to unplug the blower/fan.  How can I fix this?   Thanks!

Answer:  The blower motor is controlled by a relay that is probably stuck on causing the blower to run all the time.   Replacing it should fix your problem.

Question:  1993 Nissan Maxima SE  mileage: 127,300.  My question involves the thermostat.  When the car is started after sitting for a while (cold), there is a honking sound.   It sounds like a goose, and it last for maybe a second or two.  I have been told it might be the thermostat being stuck.  Any ideas would be appreciated.

Answer:  We cannot comprehend how a thermostat could make the noise you described.  Check the air injection system in the exhaust as some of the valves may be making the noise.

Question:  1992 Nissan Maxima  mileage: 85,000.   I recently took my car for service because it was idling rough and lost power.  The mechanic told me three of my fuel injectors were clogged and one is completely out of commission.  Should injectors go out on an 8-year-old car with this many miles?  Also, could using a fuel-injector cleaner have any results?

Answer:  It is not uncommon for fuel injectors to fail after 85,000 miles.  To prolong the life of new fuel injectors, you should change the fuel filter more often, about every 25,000 miles.  Using major brand gasoline will also prolong the life of fuel injectors.  Major brand gasolines have fuel injection cleaner additives in the product, which is sufficient.

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Question:  1987 Nissan Maxima, automatic , fuel inject mileage: 140,000.  My car is having problems a few problems.  It has trouble starting (whether the engine is cold or not), and also cuts out, like when stopping at a stoplight.  Both of these occurrences are random.  Sometimes the car works fine, and other times, I've had to get it towed to a service station.  When the car has trouble starting, the engine cranks, but doesn't always start.  When it cuts out, it can sometimes be started right back up, other times it does not.  I've had the fuel pump, distributor, and an electric module replaced.  The mechanics also tried switching the airflow sensor and the car's computer, but neither of these worked.  Please help!   I've been to three different mechanics (including the dealer) and no one knows what the problem is.

Answer:  Intermittent problems are difficult to trace.  When the no start problem occurs, check for spark at the spark plugs and check for fuel pressure and pulse at the injectors.

Question:  1998 Nissan Maxima GS  mileage: 122,000.  My Maxima has power windows, locks,  remote entry/trunk release, and alarm.  The intermittent problem is that after the car is shut off and you get out and close the door, the trunk will sometimes open, and the front windows will sometimes power down about 4" (all with no action on my part).  Sometimes when you hit the remote trunk release, the windows will power down 4" on command, but not always.  We have come out to a car on Monday am with a dead battery since the trunk had opened when we last parked the car on Friday and we did not notice (light was on all weekend).  I worry about taking this to a dealer since we cannot consistently create the problem and it sounds like an expensive one to diagnose.  Any thoughts/suggestions?

Answer:    Either your car is possessed or it has a bad body control module.  We hope it is the latter.

Question:  1999 Nissan Maxima  mileage: 103,000.  My daughter has a 1999 Maxima.  The heater stops working when the RPM slows down.  As long as she is running around 65 miles per hour, it works.  If she slows down or has to stop, it stops.  Any idea what this might be.  She has a small baby and needs the heater working badly.  We have asked everyone, nobody seems to have a clue.  My husband thinks it may be the vacuum.

Answer:    The heater core in your daughter’s car is partially plugged or restricted nearly stopping the flow of coolant through it.  Flushing it out or replacing it should correct her problem.

Question:  1995 NISSAN MAXIMA  mileage: 123,000.  There is a buzzing noise from the engine compartment when the engine is cold.  It sounds like a playing card in a bicycle wheel.  It stops when the engine has warmed up.  My mechanic located a notice from Nissan about the timing chain in 1995-1996 Maximas’ causing such a problem.  The estimated repair time, says Nissan is 7.5 hours, due to the location of the fix.  Do I have any recourse from the company?

Answer:    Contact a factory representative to see if it is covered.

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Question:  1999 Nissan Maxima SE, mileage: 107,000. I have a tire/wheel balance problem w/ stock 215/55 16 wheels. Several facilities have tried to balance them successfully however they still are not perfect. Nothing bent or out of round. Tried a replacement wheel tire package, stock size, and $1800 later new wheels and tires sitting in garage. The shimmy occurs at 65 mph+. In addition, my brakes continue to warp. Replace front pads twice (all Nissan stock) and recently replaced rear. I do all highway miles and generally do high-speed stops (I’m a cop). Thought about replacing w/ performance friction carbon metallic. Any suggestions? (I like the brake feel and performance on 98 police Crown Victoria I drive, what kind of brakes). If replace with performance friction carbon metallic brake pads, do I need new rotors or can new pads be installed with resurface rotors. The shimmy is annoying and the brakes are just expensive. Suggestions please.

Answer:  The problems with wheel shimmy and the brakes maybe related. In doing several high-speed stops, all the energy is transferred to the brakes causing them to heat up. Excess heat will warp the rotors causing the shimmy you are experiencing. New brake rotors would help because they are full size with more mass to dissipate the heat. The metallic brake pads you mentioned may help but they will wear out the brake rotors quicker. The brake systems on police cars are usually equipped with larger brake rotors and pads. They also try to get more air circulation to the brakes with vented style rims. One last thought, be sure wheel lug nuts are properly torqued. Over tightening will warp the brake rotors.

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