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before hanging up on the guy, I told him what I did for a living, that I've been doing it for close to 18 years now.....LOL..he didn't want to hear it....he continued to try and sway me purchase his bogus warranty. So...be careful when these come in the mail....unless you really feel the need to extend your warranty...DON'T CALL !!! they won't take NO for an answer.
Joe
1) The first component that could be causing your radio to mute would be your head unit which I believe is made by Clarion.
2) The second component that could be causing your radio problem could be the amplifier which I believe is made by Bose.
3) The third component that could be causing your radio to mute would be the speakers which I believe are all made by Bose.
4) The fourth components that could be causing your radio problems could be loss connections with the wiring harnesses connecting all components together.
George
Thanks again Jon.
"Nissan Field Engineers have concluded that the noises coming from your car are characteristics of the design of the Maximas engine mounts. Your mounts have been repaired to their original specs"
He then offered to extend my warranty on the powertrain to 6/100 from the 5/60. Some Gold Package or something like that.
Ok...so what Nissan is saying is that after 3 replacements(including the original parts that came with the car) and with no change in the sound of the chirps(other than increasing in noise) my engine mount problem has been fixed.
Huh?!?!?
If this is the way that the engine mounts are designed to sound, why did it take 3 trips and parts replacements(not to mention probably investing a third of the dollar amount of the car) to deem that this is normal operation? Sounds like to me that they are saying we have no clue what it is so we are just going to say it is a normal occurence. I think that is what bugs me the most...their indifference.
So pretty much Nissan is washing their hands of this and was told that nothing else can be done. I feel closer and closer to the 5 spd guys every day
I'm not here to demonize the Maxima...I really like the car(just not mine lol)...in fact I find myself looking over every new one in the lot everytime I visit the dealership...its at a point where I'm on a first name basis with everyone there(not really a good thing) Actually the SM and his guys have been great...they have done everything I have ever asked of him regarding the mounts......Nissan basically gave him a cease and desist order on pursing anything further with the mounts.
Well...back to the drawing board I guess...will try the certified letter route next...
BigK I am planning on bringing the car to a mechanic who used to be one of the lead techs at my dealership. My folks have dealt with him for years with their 95 Max and he is top notch with their car. I will ask him about all your theories as I have printed out your suggestions regarding the ICV etc.
Darn it...can never make these posts short enough..heh sorry
I think you are on the right track gy getting a 2nd opinion from someone who isn't required to recite the "company line".
Duke
I have heard OVER and OVER how much FUN a Max is to drive and in comparison, just how boring a Camry is. I definitely agree! It feels so nice inside and the doors all shut solid to make it feel airtight inside (something the Camry never did). I don't know all the stats, but I believe the Max also packs much more horsepower than the Camry.
MAX is definitely the way to go if you want to feel good, comfortable and styling while on the road! It takes the boring out of driving and you have NO trouble merging in with traffic (and that's even with the AT)...
bamadj
I owned a 90 5 speed SE before trading in for the 00SE Auto (my left foot just got lazy, but I do miss the old stick). Had great luck and enjoy both cars immensely. I got everything except leather and think the Bose, Meridian (heated seats and side airbags), traction, sunroof, white gauges, al gore, and 17" wheels are worth the extra effort. The ride is tight but slightly firm, so judge for yourself. Check out the 5 speed carefully since it sounds like it can be hard to handle in stop/go traffic, if that is a major part of your regular commute. I wish they had the Merlot last year, I like it.
So take your time, no need to rush and make a bad bush decision.
Good luck...subliminal George
Because of the information I've received from all of you, my car is now at the dealer service department having the oil changed at 882 miles, alignment (car was pulling to the left), and re-torquing the lug nuts on the rotors. The torque problem I would have never known about and because of this board, I am now doing what I can to prevent damage to the rotors - I'm all for preventive maintenance. I spoke to Chris (the service manager) and told him why I wanted all of this done and he agreed 100% on why I was having them change the oil, align the wheels, and re-torque the lug nuts. He made me feel very comfortable and knowledgeable - he mentioned that he used to work for Chevrolet and noticed all of the above on their cars as well...
So, THANKS a bunch guys and gals. That's what this board is all about.
And may all of you have a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving! And for those of you that have to drive, be careful...
bamadj
heh George...nice try...at least you have the right first name for the next commander in chief...lol
As for the Bose I think it's worth it, great base and sound, very little distortion (but I have to say my previous car was saturn SL2 with a terrible stereo system). I suggest taking a CD with you to the dealer (something that has a lot bass) and popping it in. That's what I did to see if I wanted the Bose.
As for the Camry - there is no comparison in my mind. I tested the big three Japanese cars (Camry, Accord, Maxima). The Maxima was the best handling of the lot. For the price the Maxima is the best.
Hope this is helpful.
RM
Yup, the sunroof only comes with the C&C package, but it's worth it - the other "stuff" that comes with the C&C package include:
variable intermittent wipers
auto-dimming rearview mirror (very handy)
cargo net (nice for small items in trunk)
HomeLink Universal Transciever (awesome - I don't need my garage door opener anymore)
8-way power driver's seat (easier to get "fit" comfortably in the car)
Let us know what you decide!
bamadj
Bamadj – you mentioned you would be re-torquing the lug nuts on the rotors. Why would you do that if you haven’t done any wheel rotation? I would have thought the factory would have installed the wheels correctly when the car was assembled.
Camry: Excellent reliability
Maxima: Excellent reliability
Camry: Spacious interior
Maxima: Even more spacious interior
Camry: 2nd most stolen car in US
Maxima: Not even in the top 10
Camry: V4 is gutless, V6 is uninspiring
Maxima: V6 will make you WANT to drive more
Camry: Suspension is soft, rolls a lot
Maxima: Stiff suspension, corners really well
Camry: Indistinguishable looks
Maxima: You know it's a Maxima when you see one
Camry: Feels like a basic people mover
Maxima: Feels like a real car!
Camry: Boring to drive....no fun
Maxima: Be careful...you may have too much fun
If anyone can think of more....feel free to add!
Seriously re-consider before you plop down the wad of cash for the Camry. It is indeed a good car, but test drive a Maxima....you'll see and feel a huge difference.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
-James
Wanna join the fray?
http://townhall.edmunds.com/cgi-bin/townhall?c=Sedans&t=3379
Speed
Also, at this time of year with all the thanks we should be giving, I wanted to thank you for your help on a variety of topics.
Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!
Happy Thanksgiving all!!
kyleknicks: yes, I went straight to the service department. Actually, the guy that sold me the car had introduced me to him that day, but that was it. From past experience and this one, once you buy the car, that's the LAST you see of the salesperson... I called Regal Nissan (my dealer here) and asked for the service department a couple of days ago and scheduled my car for today. I got it back about an hour ago.
The brake groan has a known TSB to hand sand the rotors and replace the pads. My car expert friend says its normal for metallic pads to deposit stuff on the rotor and cause a noise, but it does not diminish braking. He is a motor head and used to regularly sand his Accord rotors (he obviously has no kids). The fix is to go to "softer" pads that won't deposit material on the rotors as much. I believe the softer pads actually brake better but wear faster so it's a trade-off.
At my first visit the dealer said they could not replicate the noise and I had trouble too, then I relaized it only happened after the brakes got warm like after coming down a long hill. My next visit, I presented them with a note saying the groan can be replicated by warming up the brakes, so feel free to take the car for a ride...so they owned up to the problem and ordered the parts. You do need to "encourage" them with firm attitude and documentation.
I did not have a rotor problem.....George
Why does this fan come on anyways? Cant remember any other car I have owned as having this "feature" when the windshield defogger is turned on.
And yes....most dealerships use a torque sensitive attachment for the air rachet, that is adjustable.
Bors.....No....all the problem areas you've mentioned will be covered. There is a TSB out for all of those known problems.
I'm glad I was able to at least help a few of you !
Hope you all have a fantastic and healthy thanksgiving !!!
Joe
I still give this car four stars, but I seem to be having similar problems to some other owners:
1) My rotors are appparently warped. I get steering wheel shimmy when I brake, but I get no noticeable pedal pulsation (which is surprising).
2) My fan (climate control) makes an annoying whirring noise, mainly at low speed. It's getting worse. I see that this is a known problem.
3) I thought at first I might have the same squeak problem as jeffmaxse2k, but after a brief offline discussion, I think I have a loose belt instead.
4) I'm not sure if the tranny is slipping as per the TSB, but it sure feels mushy from 1st to 2nd. I'll have the dealer check it out soon.
Finally, I hit a deer while going about 50 mph about three weeks ago. It mashed the left front fender beyond recognition and cracked the headlight reflector assembly. The deer flew over the top of the car and left two deep hoof scratches on the roof, and damaged the windshield moulding. It could've been a whole lot worse--at least I'm okay, and the car is driveable, except the fender rubs the tire if I really hang a right turn. (By the way, I'm sick of people, mostly ladies, asking "Did the deer live". NO, IT DIED!!! I'm sure some buzzards and maggots had a nice feast...) Actually this kind of works out, 'cuz I'll have the body shop fix some other scratches and dents, plus I'm getting a pickup truck as my rental vehicle for two weeks. That will come in handy for some haulin'.
Something that does that much damage had better NOT get up and walk away !! Glad you're ok.
As you've probably read in these posts, all the problems you've stated, are not only covered under warranty (sans the deer hit of course..lol), but known to be problems of the Maxima, and have TSB's out for them.
Joe
Thanks for your help!
-umpopa
Joe
A cracked axle ?....you mean half shaft ? Did the guy who sold your friend tell him it was totaled ?
Without seeing the car, it's hard to tell if it's worth fixing or not. Shocks wear out, tires wear out...as do waterpumps and halfshafts but...it sounds like this car was really wrecked.
As long as the car was fixed properly, and it's just a coincidents that theses parts are going, it may be fixable.
First off...have your friend have it checked out FULLY which he should have done 1ST. He can then make a determination on weather he wants to spend what it'll take to bring it back to a "before accident" condition.
Good Luck
Joe
I was thinking of replacing the Nissan OEM rotors with Stillen Cross Drilled Rotors, has anyone replaced their OEM rotors with much better after market rotors. If I complain to Nissan maybe they will replace them with the same poorly designed rotors, so what would the point be then? The web site for Stillen is the following:
http://www.stillen.com/brakes/rotors/rotors.html
Does anyone know if Nissan redesigned or changed their original OEM rotor since they had so much trouble.
George
The change0over to Stillen's rotors, and pads should get you the results you're looking for.
Break-in.....Break-in isn't what it used to be, although it's still a good idea to let everything seat properly, I wouldn't say you have to drive any particular way for the 1st 1000 miles. I would definitely change the oil at the 1k mark, and not use synthetic oil until aprox 3 or 4k.
Joe
Thanks for any info.
Chris
Anyone gone through any similar situation (mounting component speakers versus bi-axial or full range)?
Anyone have any experience putting rear speakers in back deck versus the existing "in-door" location?
Thanks,
Mat
Joe
Joe
Joe / Anthony do you both agree that slotted rotors would be a better choose if I didn't want to change to Metal-Matrix brake pads??
In addition if I changed rotors and I did not want to change to the metal pads, do you feel that I should change to new Nissan OEM pads due to the rotors being changed with 5,500 miles on the pads??
Thanks for your help
George
Noise ? When was the last time you could actually HEAR your brakes ? You won't notice any change except the better stopping power w/o fade.
Joe
Good luck.
- Anthony
adg44@earthlink.net
Yes the buying from Canada is real and also easy. I know of about a dozen of us who have gone up there in the last couple months. See my most recent post #29. But basically the dollar is so strong that the prices are incredibly low. For example:
1) Maxima GXE, auto trans, traction control, and
convenience pkg. Convenience pkg contains
everything in the Meridian and Com and Con pkgs.
$20,800. (US dealer invoice is $22,740)
2) Maxima SE 20th Anniv Ed. Auto trans. Includes
traction control, Bose, Meridian pkg, and leather.
Does not have the ground effects though. $23,500.
(US dealer invoice is $28,006)
3) Maxima GLE. Auto trans. Includes traction
control, sunroof, Meridian pkg. $22,700. (US
dealer invoice is $25,852)
NJ is an easy one day drive back from Toronto. Email me and I can fill you in and give some contacts too.
Stephen (colicin) [reply to post #166],
Glad your trip up to Toronto was great and all went as planned. I appreciate the compliments. I'm having fun helping folks with this.
Jon
jonlofquist@aol.com