A Few Problems 2000 Nissan Maxima

AMATTHEWS

MEMBER
2000 NISSAN MAXIMA

Car is a 2000 Nissan Maxima GLE with 132,680 miles. The first and major problem is that the car refuses to start for a while after it has been started. The car will start when I turn the key regardless of time of day and temperature but if I start it and then turn it off, after about 2 or 3 starts, it will cut off as soon as the key is turned to start the engine. Turning the key and revving the engine before it cuts off will keep the car on but if I do not do not do this, I have to wait about an hour for the car to stay on by me just turning the key.

The second problem involves the remote key fob. The key fob will lock the doors but will not unlock them, or open the trunk, and the panic button does not work.

Third, the heater does not seem to know what temperature it is like the AC does. Lets say that it is 80 degrees outside, If I set the automatic termostat to 65 degrees it does its job by blowing cold air with the fan all the way up. However if it is 35 degrees outside and I set the termostat to 85 degrees, the fan will be at its lowest setting and will take forever to warm the car. If I manually turn the fan up and then press auto, the fan will return to its lowest setting.

Finally, the dinging sound that the car makes when the key is in the ignition and the driver's side door is open occurs even when the key is not in the ignition. As long as the driver's side door is open the dinging sound occurs.

Looking back I see that I have typed a lot, hopefully this does not deter anyone from reading sharing any knowledge they may have.

Thanks

Andre

6 Replies

LOSONE

MECHANIC
1,616 POSTS

Andre, sad as it seems you have the classic older maxima problems. They are besieged with a plethera of electronic failures.

You engine start problem is a classic low compression problem from engine wear. When hot there isn't enough compression to start the engine. It could be some injector leak by flooding the cylinders further lowing the compression. Classic V6 problems.

The remote entry problem is probably a defective remote. Try changing the battery and see if that helps. Or replace the remote

The Automatic A/C module is defective. They are expensive but you might be able to pick one up at a salvage yard. The other idea is the remote sensors. There are two, one on the dash front and one on windshield side. Make sure they are clean and if the car has been in a smokers enviorment they may be filled with nicotine as they has a slight vacuum applied to sense the air.

The dinging is caused by a defective micro switch in the ignition switch. There is a micro switch that senses the key in and it is probably dirty. Get some WD-40 and squirt it in the key hole a few times while moving the key in and out. This should correct the problem.

Consider jacking up the license plate and running a newer car under it. Somethines one has to balance the cost or repair and attachment to a vehicle. In my years of experience as a garage owner there is nothing older than an old Maxima as I have worked on many.

Hope this helps and good luck.

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Thursday, March 30th, 2006 AT 10:18 AM

AMATTHEWS

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Thank you, even though this just put a damper on my day. A newer car? Sigh, so there is no way to fix these engine compression problems without paying some astronomical price? Is revving the engine to start it doing further harm? And tell me, what will eventually happen?

Thanks again

Andre

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Thursday, March 30th, 2006 AT 1:07 PM

LOSONE

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Perhaps I was a bit blunt is my assesment of your problems but after many years in the business, I don't beat around the bush.

All the harm that has been done, is done. Reving it like you do won't do any more harm. The engine may last years you just have to put up with it. Those engines are assembled like a watch. Overhauling them is almost an impossibility. A good used low mileage engine would do the trick as they lap over several years. Does yours have red valve covers?

What will happen?--One day the car will look at you, let out a long sigh and won't start. Time--not a clue but before the 200K time.

Hope you solve the electrical issues--let me know.

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Thursday, March 30th, 2006 AT 1:36 PM

AMATTHEWS

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But the engine is so much fun to drive, this isn't fair. Err I mean, oh okay. Yeah it has a red cover.

LOL at your comment about the car letting out a long sigh.

Thanks again

Andre

PS: Oh yeah the remote fob locks and unlocks the doors now, it just won't open the trunk or sound the alarm, both of which I can live without. I think I may have gotten the sensors too, just have to wait for the right temperature. (Wow this is a long PS)

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Thursday, March 30th, 2006 AT 6:31 PM

LOSONE

MECHANIC
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On an off chance, start the car, let it idle and spray the area around the intake with some wd-40 or carb cleaner. If the RPM rises then the problem could be a cracked intake manifold which could produce the same effects. Worth a try.