2000 Nissan Sentra car idle rough/stalls

Tiny
AROD16
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Many months ago my car would idle rough and stall when it was cold. Now it does it all the time. On occasion it will also lose power when accelerating. The check engine light had p0110 (IAT sensor circuit) and p0171 (system too lean). I replaced the IAT sensor and spark plugs. I also cleaned the MAF sensor and had the computer cleared. No check engine light on now but I still have the problem. It might run a little better but not much. What is the next step?
Sunday, November 7th, 2010 AT 7:25 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi arod16,

For the rough idling, I would suggest cleaning the AACV and throttle body.

Get the fuel pressure checked as well.
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 6:58 AM
Tiny
AGENT6.2
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hey arod16. I have a similar problem with an '01 Sentra that I'm looking to buy. I posted a nearly identical description. Please let me know what you find and I'll do the same. Good luck!
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 10:00 AM
Tiny
AROD16
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Got it fixed! Drum rolls please
When you clean the MAF soak it with MAF cleaner, forget the 10 - 15 sprays like it says on the instructions, SOAK it.

Another thing I discovered. I think I found an easy way to test the MAF. In my attempet to backprobe the thing with my stalling engine I decided to just leave the MAF unplugged when starting the engine. The engine does go into fall safe mode but it ran fine. So in one swoop, I managed to test all the other sensors(CAM, throttle, Knock) it could have been just by unplugging the MAF. CAR wouldn't go above 2K rpms but if any other sensor was bad it would have still stumbled. Cleaned ever square inch of the MAF and presto. Works like a champ.
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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 8:03 PM

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