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Maxima 5-speed Problems

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  • blindersblinders Member Posts: 5
    I'm in the Columbus, OH area. I'll look up the info from the service order and send it tmo. My vehicle is pretty close to normal and I almost never notice any problems. At one time it was pretty good, then went to terrible and after getting the tps replaced and adjusted a couple of times it has been stable for six months.
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    I'd like my Zone Rep to speak to him.

    Thanks.

    Bruce...
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    You still out there?

    Bruce...
  • blindersblinders Member Posts: 5
    I called the dealership (Buckeye Nissan) in Hilliard, OH on Friday and he is no longer working there. His name was Ken Watters. They said he may be working at a local Infinity dealership. I'll call on Monday to check it out.
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    Please keep me posted. If Ken has some insight into the fuel-cut issue, I'd love to hook him up with Steve Thomas.

    Bruce...
  • roar1roar1 Member Posts: 193
    Soooooo........You think you have problems,eh ??
    Check out the 2001 Ford Escape. It has been on sale for less than 6 mos. and is the subject of a fifth recall notice...not TSB....RECALL !

    Dealers have been instructed to hold off all test-drives and sales until a potential windshield wiper flaw can be repaired. Prior recalls in it's short life include steering wheels coming loose, improper rear wheel hubs, leaking fuel lines, and a cruise control malfunction that could cause the throttle to stick.

    Also DC is recalling 769,000 Dodge and Chrysler Minivans to reinforce steering wheels that could separate from the steering column. Source : Autoweek 12/11/00.

    I hope I've brightened your day !!! Keep up the good work.
  • unicomp2unicomp2 Member Posts: 3
    I took my SE in to the dealer this last weekend for it's 7500 mi maintenance. All I know is it took them forever to change my oil/rotate the tires, more than 3hrs. After driving out I noticed the fuel-cut lurching was gone, 1st gear is smooth as can be. They didn't tell me they did anything, but I'm very confident something got reprogrammed or replaced. My car is a lease, so I'm thinking maybe they didn't have to ask my permission to work on something Nissan technically owns. Whatever they did, I am veery happy with it.
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    What's the name of your dealer?
  • adg44adg44 Member Posts: 385
    This is completely off subject, but I remember you saying that you have a fix for a glovebox latch rattle? I also have a 99 G20t and I have a rattle coming from the glovebox locking mechanism. Maybe your fix will work for this too. If you don't mind, could you please e-mail me the fix?

    Thank a lot and keep fighting!

    - Anthony

    adg44@earthlink.net
  • joenissanjoenissan Member Posts: 313
    Thought this may be of some interest to you.

    Although it's not a Maxima.....read "Technical Correspondence" on page 142 of the Jan 01 Road & Track. The article is headed "Shifting Killjoy.

    Joe
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    I'll check it out. Thanks.

    Bruce...
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    Courtesy Nissan (www.courtesynissan.com; www.courtesyparts.com) is one of the largest retailers if not THE largest retailer of Genuine Nissan Parts in the country. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it turns out that they know something Nissan doesn't know.

    One other piece of information you could provide me if you don't mind is your Repair Order number. That way, Steve would have something to refer to when he contacts Courtesy Nissan. By the way, I realize your Repair Order number may have been manually generated as Courtesy's computer system has been down since Friday afternoon.

    Thanks.

    Bruce...
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    Fantastic article. I've reproduced it in the next post with a separate heading so others can refer to it more effectively. I've also sent a copy of the article to Steve Thomas at Nissan and both Chris Wardlaw and Brent Romans at Edmunds.

    Bruce...
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    The following correspondence appeared on Page 142 of the January 2001 edition of Road & Track. Although the article refers to a 2000 Mercury Cougar V6 manual and not a 2000 Nissan Maxima V6 manual, both the Cougar and the Maxima appear to share the fuel-cut condition in common:

    "Question: I have a 2000 Mercury Cougar V-6 with a manual transmission. When the accelerator is released while shifting, the engine speed will drop only gradually. To obtain smooth upshifts it is necessary to keep the clutch disengaged for about 1.5 seconds to allow the engine speed to drop to the transaxle speed."

    "I have spoken with the factory and was told the engine-management computer keeps the throttle open during shifts for emissions-control purposes. The dealer told me my engine is operating within the acceptable range. Needless to say, this detracts from the joys of manual shifting. A 1999 Cougar I drove did not exhibit this trait. Similarly, there is very little engine braking when decelerating with the accelerator released, so the brakes must work harder. Is there a solution? Or is this a common problem with modern cars?"

    "Answer: The short answer is yes, this is common in modern cars. When the throttle is suddenly closed, a momentary burst of high hydrocarbon production ensues as a bit of rich mixture is trapped in the cylinders. By effectively not allowing abrupt throttle movement, this condition is avoided."

    "Unfortunately, to an enthusiast driver it results in a maddening loss of precision accompanied by the many undesirable side effects you mention. The only cure would be to rewrite the computer code in the engine-management computer."

    "Aftermarket chip manufacturers seem to think this condition is caused by an automatic transmission computer code being used in a manual transmission application. In any case, they had not done the research and development to locate whatever code is causing the "hung throttle," as they hardly had any call to do so."

    [The remainder of the article is specific to the Cougar.]

    The article does not explain the underlying mechanics driving the fuel-cut condition, but it's clear that bigk200, Steve Thomas, and others are correct in pointing out a logic issue as the true source of the problem.

    Bruce...
  • gregg20gregg20 Member Posts: 17
    Check out this site for an article in Road & track regarding the fuel cut issue:
    http://www.maxima.org/forums/showthread.phtml?threadid=13553
  • danielldaniell Member Posts: 128
    When I release the accelerator, my car exhibits a huge amount of sudden engine braking, as opposed to the described Cougar. You guys sure this is the same problem?
  • danielldaniell Member Posts: 128
    When I release the accelerator, my car exhibits a huge amount of sudden engine braking, as opposed to the described Cougar. You guys sure this is the same problem?
  • danielldaniell Member Posts: 128
    there seems to be some problem with this thread.
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    That's my post on the Maxima.org forum. Thanks.

    Bruce...
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    That's another piece of the fuel-cut equation . . . either too much gas or not enough. Check out bigk200's description of the fuel-cut condition in Post #2.

    Bruce...
  • danielldaniell Member Posts: 128
    In #2 Big said: "Thus, a vicious
    cycle can occur during low speed driving… lurch
    (accelerate) forward… hard compression braking…
    lurch forward… hard compression braking… etc."
    This is exactly what my car does, but to me it sounded like the guy with the Gougar complained about the opposite symptom, which is, not having enough engine braking. Just my oppinion...
  • joenissanjoenissan Member Posts: 313
    No problem...as you can see...it was the answer to this guy's question, and not the question itself, that sparked my interest.

    Joe
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    I think you'll find that you also have the same condition as the guy with the Cougar.

    I agree with Joe's interpretation. The answer to the guy's question covers the entire spectrum of complaints even though all the possible complaints weren't listed. I'd be willing to bet that the guy has trouble maintaining a constant speed in 1st gear at low rpms just like you and I do.
  • unicomp2unicomp2 Member Posts: 3
    You're dead on about the computers being down. I was in there Saturday morning. I have a written receipt that tallies everything up, but there is no work order number on it.
  • kostyakostya Member Posts: 23
    Hey guys, check this out:
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/15445.html

    The question is: How did they convince Ford to reprogram the ECU? Is it possible to do the same with Nissan?
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    Hey everyone, I've been out of town for a while and I am still not home. I only have a minute or two to post, so here goes.

    I've read the past posts regarding the Cougar, and what was described is exactly the problem that we are having with our Maxima's.

    The factory fresh versions of the Maxima uses an immediate fuel cut while loads of extra air is being allowed into the engine. When the fuel has been cut, the extra air serves to clear the engine of nasty fumes. That is why the engine goes from too much power to negative (compression braking) power.

    The Cougar behaves similarly to the Maxima after the fameous "fix". The "fix" employs a small time delay before a fuel cut is allowed to happen. During this time delay, the engine continues to get loads of air (just as before the "fix"), but it also continues to get fuel for an extra moment or two. Eventually, the fuel cut still occurs, just not as suddenly as before the "fix".

    Ok, fine... supposing for a moment that the fuel cut is necessary to complay with emissions, then I have to ask "why does the BMW's drive so well without any hint of the fuel cut problem"? I think BMW serves as proof that we shouldn't have to live with this problem.

    Over and out.
  • speedracer3speedracer3 Member Posts: 650
    "why does the BMW's drive so well
    without any hint of the fuel cut problem"?

    it's the Ultimate Driving Machine don't you know!?, so what if you have to order them from the factory and wait 3 months to get one. I am sure you don't mind paying full MSRP and be treated like a dirt at the dealership unless you are wearing your Armani garb. Hey, so you have to take on another mortgage if god forbid it broke down...it's only money right?....small price to pay for no "fuel cut" problem...Go to the BMW 3 series forums and take a gander at the problems those folks are having and the grass may not feel so much greener on the other side.

    If you ever get a Beemer stick to the 3 series since for some reason the 5 series seem to be more problematic (I should know I owned two 5s).


    Speed
  • kostyakostya Member Posts: 23
    Hello guys,

    Does anybody have a clue why Edmunds nuked the webcite so all the links are dead now? That's really weird. Ok ok, they needed some "home improvement". But why did they change the location of the forum? That does not make any sense.

    Anyways, I updated the web page so all the links at http://www.NissanMaximaProblems.com are now functional. Enjoy!

    Kostya.
  • max2001max2001 Member Posts: 63
    Any word from either Edmunds (i doesn't seem like they have tested a y2k+1 max yet) or you field rep. regarding the fuel cut issue?

    Thanks,

    RM
  • joenissanjoenissan Member Posts: 313
    Go to page 104 in The new February issue of Motor Trend. In their year end wrap-up on the 5 spd Maxima SE, they mentioned that the car was "flawless", and that they've recieved many E mails about the fuel-cut condition. They also claim to have tested their car for it, as well as another Maxima 5 spd, and could not duplicate the problem...BUT...The give an E mail address to let them know if your car has the problem, so they can forward it to Nissan...it's motortrend@emapusa.com

    Joe
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    Joe: Thanks for the update.
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    Check it out:

    http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.phtml?threadid=17922
  • kostyakostya Member Posts: 23
    Hello guys,

    I've just sent another letter to MT. I indicated that "It appears that due to some miracle you've got the one and only unaffected (or specially modified) Maxima 2000 SE for your tests."

    I also suggested they have a look at mine :-)
    Let's press on the issue and let them know there IS a problem.

    Kostya.
  • maxima_robertmaxima_robert Member Posts: 3
    Owner of a spanking new '01 Sterling Mist DE, 5spd, Leather, I&I, dose. My car exhibits some of the "fuel cut" issues, but for me the most annoying "feature" is the lack of alacrity with which the PM's drop after depressing the clutch. It makes it very difficult to smoothly shift. I am able to control my car at any PM in first gear above stall speed, though it can be touchy if one isn't really careful with the throttle.

    Car has about 1200 miles on it, observed the break in period and am getting about 24 MPG overall, maximum of 28.9 minimum of 22. I enjoy driving it greatly.
  • pat_93se_00sepat_93se_00se Member Posts: 16
    We're all dying to know if your rep has done anything for you.. It's been quite a while, have you even heard back from him?

    If your effort fails, I'm trying to think of what to do next. Does anyone have any contacts or names / addresses / emails / etc. for anyone at Nissan? Is it time to start a campaign?

    Thanks,
    Pat in Boston
  • y2ksey2kse Member Posts: 104
    And I'm not holding my breath waiting for a response either.
  • wg45678wg45678 Member Posts: 55
    To the person who earlier reported in this forum that a dealer in Dallas had fixed the 'uncontrollable throttle/fuel cut' (in deference to bigk200) problem we all share? Any one else follow on the claim? Was it really fixed or did it just seem like it?

    Enquiring minds want to know.

    -- Walter
  • dwillia4dwillia4 Member Posts: 17
    The Couger/Mystique/Contour share the same V6 powertrain. We have the same 5 speed shifting problem that you Maxima owners have. We call it "throttle hang". It's almost impossible to get a smooth 1-2 shift. The guys over at the Contour site (www.contour.org) have actually developed a mechanical work-around that fixes the problem. I have not tried it because I'm a little nervous about overriding the ECU programming via mechanical means. I would rather have an ECU fix.

    By the way, I just test drove a 2001 V6 5-speed Passat and IT ALSO EXIBITS THIS BEHAVIOR. However, the 4cyl Turbo doesn't.
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    Hey all,

    I have not posted in a while, but I'm still around.

    No solution in sight! Nissan doesn't care about their customers. The customer is the enemy.
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    Can you tell us a little more about the mechanical mod that the Contour owners have tried?
  • dwillia4dwillia4 Member Posts: 17
    Goto:


    http://www.contour.org/FAQ/showfaq.pl?probs/throttlehang


    There are several people that tried this fix and swear by it.

  • davedznydavedzny Member Posts: 41
    Thanks for posting your information on the similar problem that Contour owners are facing. Do you know if anyone has challenged Ford to come out with an ECU fix? Has Ford been ignoring complaints as bad as Nissan? Has anyone taken this matter to court? I for one will post on the Contour site and see if I can find a Contour owner who lives in NYC so we can drive each others cars and see how they behave.

    BTW, anyone check out the new Subaru Impreza WRX? 227 HP, 0-60 6.1 seconds, etc. I've owned four Subaru's before this piece of junk Nissan, and I can't wait to see this Sube up close and personal. Only downfall is the size, but that doesn't matter that much for me.

    Dave Z
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    Thanks for the link. I read it and their findings are exactly the same as my findings for the Maxima. The real problem is excess air being allowed into the engine via the idle control valve.

    I test drove a new BMW 528 5-speed last fall, and it did not have the problem that we all have with our Nissans and Fords. I guess you get what you pay for.

    The service manager at my dealer tried to argue with me that the Maxima is an equal to the BMW 5 series... what a joke! I used to be a little critical of BMW, but this proves that BMW knows a thing or two about cars!
  • speedracer3speedracer3 Member Posts: 650
    Dave,

    Don't take this the wrong way, I take offense at you calling one of the best cars that I've ever owned a "piece of junk". If your Maxima brings you that much displeasure, sell it, and spare yourself and everybody else the aggravation.

    The Sube WRX certainly has the performance, although the styling is awful. I can't get used to those oversized headlamps and fog lights, and the rear is just blah.
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    Maybe Dave's car is leased? If it is, he is pretty much stuck with it unless he wants to take a huge bath. Even if he bought it outright, he wold still take a bath.

    No one should have to pay so much money for a car and have it perform so badly.

    I agree with Dave that the Maxima 5-speed is a "piece of junk". At least in regard to the engine controls system.

    I have not sold my Maxima yet because I like the overall styling, the stereo, etc., and I also don't want to take the financial hit by selling it so soon. I normally keep cars for a very long time, but this Maxima will gone in a heartbeat when I see something I like better.
  • davedznydavedzny Member Posts: 41
    No offense taken, but I am unfortunately in a three year lease with the Max leaving me with few options. My "piece of junk" remark is not meant to be taken literally to every Maxima, but to mine in particular. I think it is ridiculous to have a car with such poor engine management controls, fit and finish (trunk lid scratches, numerous rattles), etc sold in today's market. I loved the Max when I bought it, and for the relationship to have turned into a "Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde" is extremely disapointing to me.

    True the Subaru WRX is nothing to write home about, but I don't think Subaru has ever had much in terms of styling, except for maybe the SVX which was quite unique. I look at it as "bang for the buck". I also feel bad for the A/T Max owners, as their trans problems have now expanded to 2-3 shift problems as well. But, a TSB was issued right away, due to the fact that Nissan knew this would cause tranni damage later on and had to cover their behinds.

    If I get lucky and dump my Max somehow, I might post my FSTB and Razo pedals for sale, so there's always hope that I succeed!! :)

    Dave Z
  • speedracer3speedracer3 Member Posts: 650
    Dave,

    Here's what you do, drive your Maxima to the Bronx. Get out of the car, leave the keys inside and take a taxi home. The car will be stolen, and if you have gap insurance it will take care of the lease. BINGO...hopefully the police will never recover it.

    Ok, so that's insurance fraud..

    NOTE TO THE MODERATOR: I am kidding!.

    Seriously, I feel your pain...nothing worse than being stuck with a lease with a problematic car...I have the same disgust with our Toyota Sienna which unlike most Toyotas it was built with bubble gum. Other than my scratch magnet black paint job I utterly enjoy my MAX SE A/T.

    Peace,

    Speed
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    No wonder you aren't unhappy with your Max. You have an automatic!
  • speedracer3speedracer3 Member Posts: 650
    Go to the 5th Gen forum @ Maxima.org plenty of happy 5 speeders too. Face it, those folks that are truly vocal about the 5 speed "fuel cut" issue are very few (that's why Nissan doesn't care)...most folks don't even notice it, some don't care (it doesn't bother them). And from what I've been reading lately a lot of cars seem to be exhibiting the same symtoms that the Max does.

    BTW....I test drove the 5 speed Maxima, and I decided against it because I thought the clutch was too light, the throws were too long and vague. So, I partly agree with you that the 5 speed tranny of the Maxima is not a good one (at least not for my taste). Ofcourse there are those that think the Maxima 5 speed tranny is just perfect, and just like me didn't even notice the "fuel cut" issue at low speeds.

    Enjoy the Beemer (when you get it)

    Speed
  • bigk200bigk200 Member Posts: 170
    The people who frequent these chat areas are a tiny fraction of the people who actually own the car. I think it would be interesting to see actual statistics of 5-speed owners who realize that their car has a problem.

    Most of the 5-speeders who like to chat on-line about their cars are people who drive hard. The harder they drive (all on or all off the gas pedal), the less they will notice the "fuel-cut" problem. Perhaps thats why so many think their car is great.
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