Nissan Repair: A couple subjects..., vehicle speed sensor, mass airflow sensor

Question
ok..I bought a 2001 maxima gle and the speedomoter is not working. also, when I start the car the engine revs and the rpm goes up between 1 and 2 and then shuts off. in order to start the car I have to hit the gas for like 2-3 seconds.Also, when im idling the rpm sometimes shoots up and drops down and the car stutters. I also found out that im missing the front left abs wheel sensor [what is that for?] also I just recently found out that I have a 2002 transmission. what do you think the solutions are? please heeeeelp

Answer
John,


For the speedometer replace the vehicle speed sensor.

The idle problem is probably a couple of things.  First, check for vacuum leaks.  Any unmetered air will cause the car to do strange things at idle and at startup.  Second, the mass airflow sensor is probably in need of replacement.  $300 bucks so another wrecking yard opportunity for a replacement part.  The idle air control valve is most probably in need of replacement too.  This has to be purchased new since it actually wears out.

For the ABS wheel sensors simply replace them.  A wrecking yard is a good source for these.  They have to be hooked up in order for the ABS to work.  If the computer cannot see the wheel turning, or when stopped, it cannot apply brakes to each wheel.  The brakes will still function like regular brakes.  But, the ABS will not work until everything is hooked back up.

There is no difference between a 2001 and 2001 transmission.  Now, that might be the reason that the speedometer is messed up.  The vehicle speed sensor plugs into the transmission.  So, if it was not hooked up that could be the reason for the speedometer not working.  Another thing on the subject of the speedometer.  The cluster, where the speedometer is, is where the computer picks up the vehicle speed and the computer uses this for transmission control and other things like the fuel map.  So, it is important for this to work...