Nissan Maxima common Problems and Solutions

There seem to be some common issues among Nissan Maxima owners who have the 2000-2004 models. These tend to range from intermittent rough idle to reported transmission problems, to a drastic decrease in performance. We are seeing in to the real cause of the problems, and offering our guidance on what to do, and what Not to do.

Transmission Problems

We looked into how to troubleshoot the intermittent rough idle qoute in the latest article. It can be attributed to the ignition coils, which have proven to go bad in the first few years of ownership. The next issue we are going after is the supposed transmission problems I have been hearing about. This qoute has been described as a hesitation in the shifting from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd under half to full throttle. It also causes hard shifting, and the appearance of a "rev limiter" colse to 4000 rpms. The Tsb (technical aid bulletin) out for this says that the solenoid control assembly in the transmission is to blame. This assembly is responsible for the correct shift times for the transmission. Sounds like the right answer, right?

Maybe. These control assemblies can go bad, but it is only due to the build up of debris in the transmission system. This debris comes from clutch material and burned transmission fluid. With that much clutch material worn down, you would most likely have some slipping in the transmission occurring. If it is categorically slipping, then I would look at a transmission rebuild or replacement. simply replacing the control assembly would just delay the inevitable, and cost you 500-750 dollars.

The issue I have described is Not the transmission. I repeat. Not the transmission. In my example, I have not described any slipping of the transmission. In a lot of cases, this "transmission" indication of illness is accompanied by a pinging machine and low performance. This is most likely a fuel related problem. The ping is from a lean fuel mixture (not sufficient gas). The poor performance could be from the same cause. If the knock sensor or the trans solenoids were bad, you would eventually get an machine issue code from the Ecu/Tcu. The first place to check is the fuel filter in the gas tank. There is not an external filter on these cars, and that filter in the tank is Seldom changed. The new filter should fix the machine ping, the performance issues, and the "transmission" type symptoms. The "rev limiter" feel is from the machine not having sufficient fuel to continue raising the rpms. The hard shift is from the transmission anticipating the faster shift needed at higher rpms, but the machine is not performing correctly, so the acceleration is not there to unblemished the plane shift. All these systems work intricately together. Lower the fuel pressure available to the injectors, and all of the above symptoms can occur.

Be sure to have the codes checked. In a lot of cases I have seen, these issues come and go with no check machine light. That is a good sign it could be the fuel filter. You may also have a dirty throttle body, which I suggest cleaning when you replace the filter.

Good luck, and stay Tuned!