Power cuts off while driving
12-02-2003, 07:41 AM
#1
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Power cuts off while driving
I'm having a problem with my 2000 SE, 5 speed. Sometimes when I'm driving and slowing down for a light (or slowing for a turn) the car cuts off. My radio still works but there's no power! I have to actually turn the ignition and start it!
-Heather
-Heather
12-02-2003, 08:13 AM
#4
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by spirilis
Any SES (Service Engine Soon) lights when you're driving?
Yes my SES light is on (constantly) I've had it turned off and have gone to Autozone to have them analyze it but it comes back on.
12-02-2003, 08:17 AM
#5
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by skandalouz
are u sure that you're not stalling out?
That's what I thought it was at first so I started paying more attention, I can just touch my brakes as I'm coming upon a light to slow down (but not slow enough to require downshifting) and it will die. Someone mentioned it might have something to do with my engine not getting enough fuel? I have no idea...
12-02-2003, 08:21 AM
#6
Originally Posted by hadams76
Yes my SES light is on (constantly) I've had it turned off and have gone to Autozone to have them analyze it but it comes back on.
If you go to Autozone and get it checked again, please write down the code they give you... it'll give us more insight on what you should check
Do you work on cars any (or know anyone who can?)
12-02-2003, 08:22 AM
#7
Originally Posted by hadams76
That's what I thought it was at first so I started paying more attention, I can just touch my brakes as I'm coming upon a light to slow down (but not slow enough to require downshifting) and it will die. Someone mentioned it might have something to do with my engine not getting enough fuel? I have no idea...
that's how I typically drive mine anyway... throw it in neutral or keep clutch pedal depressed while slowing down...
12-02-2003, 08:25 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,361
When you say slowing down, are you in neutral?
If so does it happen more often after high RPMs (5-6K) or high speed (like comming off a highway)?
I have had it happen to me a few times. The scenario is: lauch off a red light, gun it through first and second. Second gear, 5500 RPM, pop it in to neutral to coast to the next light. The RPMs just drop and it stalls.
If so does it happen more often after high RPMs (5-6K) or high speed (like comming off a highway)?
I have had it happen to me a few times. The scenario is: lauch off a red light, gun it through first and second. Second gear, 5500 RPM, pop it in to neutral to coast to the next light. The RPMs just drop and it stalls.
12-02-2003, 09:31 AM
#9
Newbie - Just Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by bert
When you say slowing down, are you in neutral?
pop it in to neutral to coast to the next light. The RPMs just drop and it stalls.
pop it in to neutral to coast to the next light. The RPMs just drop and it stalls.
Is there some throttle position sensor that could be the problem? or maybe some idle control valve? Just thinking outloud...let me know what you think.
Heather
12-02-2003, 09:52 AM
#10
Originally Posted by hadams76
This is exactly what happens. I can also get it to stall while parked. Just rev it to 3-4K and let off. Most times it will drop way below 500 RPM but bounce back to idle (~6-800?) but sometimes it will continue down, and the car will stall.
Is there some throttle position sensor that could be the problem? or maybe some idle control valve? Just thinking outloud...let me know what you think.
Heather
Is there some throttle position sensor that could be the problem? or maybe some idle control valve? Just thinking outloud...let me know what you think.
Heather
If you want to clean the throttle body, use a rag with air intake/throttle body cleaner sprayed on it. Do NOT spray throttle body cleaner into the throttle body. Throttle body cleaner can possibly damage the throttle position sensor.
I do remember my 2000 5-speed used to stumble a bit from high-RPM to idle (stumbling down to 400rpm), but it never stalled... all that pretty much went away when I cleaned the throttle body (and cleaned the MAF sensor wire gently by spraying throttle body cleaner on it)
12-02-2003, 10:02 AM
#11
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 281
Clean the throttle body! I have a 2000 SE 5spd, which had similar problems - rpm drop and sometimes stall.
Buy a bottle of Throttle Body cleaner, remove the air intake to expose the throttle body. Place rag under the TB (to collect runoff). Spray liberally while the valve is closed. Wipe clean. Open valve, spray solvent on rag and wipe inside with rag. I never sprayed the TB while the valve was open. When clean, reassemble.
Completely fixed the problem for me. When engaging the clutch or dropping into neutral from high rpms (or whenever), the rpms drop to about 1k and then gently/slowly lower to about 650 - idle. Car seems more responsive as well. It's an easy and cheap fix to try yourself before anything else.
Props to CCx and the rest of the forum for walking me through this.
Buy a bottle of Throttle Body cleaner, remove the air intake to expose the throttle body. Place rag under the TB (to collect runoff). Spray liberally while the valve is closed. Wipe clean. Open valve, spray solvent on rag and wipe inside with rag. I never sprayed the TB while the valve was open. When clean, reassemble.
Completely fixed the problem for me. When engaging the clutch or dropping into neutral from high rpms (or whenever), the rpms drop to about 1k and then gently/slowly lower to about 650 - idle. Car seems more responsive as well. It's an easy and cheap fix to try yourself before anything else.
Props to CCx and the rest of the forum for walking me through this.
12-02-2003, 10:08 AM
#12
Originally Posted by dave
Clean the throttle body! I have a 2000 SE 5spd, which had similar problems - rpm drop and sometimes stall.
Buy a bottle of Throttle Body cleaner, remove the air intake to expose the throttle body. Place rag under the TB (to collect runoff). Spray liberally while the valve is closed. Wipe clean. Open valve, spray solvent on rag and wipe inside with rag. I never sprayed the TB while the valve was open. When clean, reassemble.
Completely fixed the problem for me. When engaging the clutch or dropping into neutral from high rpms (or whenever), the rpms drop to about 1k and then gently/slowly lower to about 650 - idle. Car seems more responsive as well. It's an easy and cheap fix to try yourself before anything else.
Props to CCx and the rest of the forum for walking me through this.
Buy a bottle of Throttle Body cleaner, remove the air intake to expose the throttle body. Place rag under the TB (to collect runoff). Spray liberally while the valve is closed. Wipe clean. Open valve, spray solvent on rag and wipe inside with rag. I never sprayed the TB while the valve was open. When clean, reassemble.
Completely fixed the problem for me. When engaging the clutch or dropping into neutral from high rpms (or whenever), the rpms drop to about 1k and then gently/slowly lower to about 650 - idle. Car seems more responsive as well. It's an easy and cheap fix to try yourself before anything else.
Props to CCx and the rest of the forum for walking me through this.
You may get away with it, but if the Throttle Position Sensor goes bad... good luck
It's not too much effort to take everything apart and just wipe the chamber & throttle plate (especially the edges) with a solvent-soaked rag...
12-02-2003, 10:41 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,361
It has only happened a few times (5-6-7) in 3 years. I have learned to blip the throttle on the rev-down phase. (not fun loosing power brakes and power steering comming off the highway!)
But the symptoms described: drop to 400-300 RPM with a bounce back (or stall in this case)
I have never had it happen parked or at low speed, only at high speed, and the higher the speed the more likely it seems to do it.
It hasn't done it to me in a year, I have a work around, and I don't feel like being abused by the dealer, so I live with it.
But the symptoms described: drop to 400-300 RPM with a bounce back (or stall in this case)
I have never had it happen parked or at low speed, only at high speed, and the higher the speed the more likely it seems to do it.
It hasn't done it to me in a year, I have a work around, and I don't feel like being abused by the dealer, so I live with it.
12-02-2003, 10:53 AM
#14
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 281
Originally Posted by spirilis
Do NOT spray liberally inside the throttle body! (closed OR open)
You may get away with it, but if the Throttle Position Sensor goes bad... good luck
It's not too much effort to take everything apart and just wipe the chamber & throttle plate (especially the edges) with a solvent-soaked rag...
You may get away with it, but if the Throttle Position Sensor goes bad... good luck
It's not too much effort to take everything apart and just wipe the chamber & throttle plate (especially the edges) with a solvent-soaked rag...
ok, worked for me, but best to be safe.
anyway, try cleaning the throttle body to resolve this issue.
where is the Throttle Position Sensor located?
12-02-2003, 11:25 AM
#17
Originally Posted by dave
behind the butterfly valve? about three inches? (guessing from memory)
12-02-2003, 11:44 AM
#20
Happened to me when I first got the car (35k mi), a couple of times right before turning and made for some interesting turns while car is off, figuring out what was going on, trying not to crash into something and restarting the car and completing the turn all in one motion....anyway, another drop in the bucket for the cleaning throttle body suggestion, probably the easiest, cheapest, most effective stab at a solution that will probably fix your problem....do it soon, you don't want to get caught in an intersection with a stalled car....ruh roh! 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sdotcarter
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
2
09-02-2015 09:53 PM
maxinout93
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
3
08-20-2015 02:17 AM
MaximaDrvr
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
16
08-19-2015 08:20 PM