1995 Nissan Maxima Starting in cold weather problem

DB19NU13

MEMBER
1995 NISSAN MAXIMA
3.0L
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

I have recently taken my 95 Nissan Maxima SE out of storage after it sitting for 3 months with a full tank of gas in it. I took it right away to get its oil change and all fluids filled. The problem I keep having is going to start it in the morning or when I get out of work in the cold weather and it just cranks then shuts off. To start engine I have to press on the gas pedal while turning key over to fire up engine. What should I try to get this problem solved before taking it in to a mechanic and paying more money. The car has only be driven to and from work 4 miles a day for a week and the fastest I could go because of the roads being icy is 55. What should I do to make the car start up without killing battery or pressing on the gas every time.

Saturday, January 25th, 2014 AT 8:01 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,331 POSTS

Three months is nothing. I have two cars that get a few new gallons of gas once every five years, whether they need it or not. In this case, however, if the battery went dead, the Engine Computer would lose its memory. A good battery can only be expected to start an engine after sitting for three weeks. By four or five weeks it will be dead.

Don't get overly worried yet until you can get out on the highway. I only know the procedure to relearn "minimum throttle" on Chrysler products, but many other cars have similar procedures. That is to drive at highway speed with the engine warmed up, then coast for at least seven seconds without touching the pedals. That meets the conditions for the relearn to take place. Until that is done, you'll have to hold the accelerator pedal down 1/4" to get the engine to start, you won't get the nice "idle flare-up" to 1500 rpm at start-up, and the engine will tend to stall at stop signs.

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Saturday, January 25th, 2014 AT 8:21 PM