QuestionI have a 2002 Maxima that has been shutting down at low speeds (40 mph or less) and at traffic lights. Let me preface by saying the issue is not the air flow sensor since that was replaced yesterday and the car shut down again today.
This first occurred a few days before Memorial Day on my afternoon commute which is 20 to 30 minutes. It consists of freely flowing interstate traffic (70 mph) and then about 10 minutes of city traffic. I took it to the dealer mechanic and they drove it for two days. No codes and no issues. Afterwards, I drove it off the lot for the first time during an afternoon and it shut down while pulling into a parking lot. Approximately 15 minutes from the dealer. I drove it back the same day and they kept it for approximately 2 weeks and drove it over 100 miles. No issues and no codes. I retrieved the car and drove it for 1-1/2 weeks with no issues.
Last Sunday (June 22) I drove it 20 minutes in the direction of my office and stopped for lunch for approximately an hour. I drove it home which is the same route as my afternoon commute, and it died at a traffic light.
Since Sunday, it has died at a traffic light on Monday and also died while cruising at approximately 40 MPH today. The instances on Sunday, Monday, and today all occurred within ½ mile of each other.
Yesterday (Tuesday) I was going up an incline on a bridge and suddenly lost acceleration. I dropped from 70 mph to about 60 mph. Then the acceleration “caught” again and got up to speed. No lights came on. This is the first time that this has occurred.
Morning driving has never been an issue.
The same lights come one each time this occurs: door ajar, seat belt, brake, oil, battery, and service engine soon.
The battery is at least two years old. Today, I applied cleaner to the contacts and wire brushed the contacts and the poles. I have not had the batter checked for strength yet.
The car hesitates before re-starting. I have to attempt it two or three times but it eventually restarts. This pattern has been consistent.
I have read up on other forums but am still at a loss. Please advise. It is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
S. Lee
AnswerS. Lee,
Check the fuel pump by getting a fuel pressure gauge and see if the pressure drops off when the car starts to die. You can purchase a gauge for about $20 bucks. Screw it into the fuel rail on the engine and tape the gauge to the windshield and drive the car. You should know if it is the fuel pump if the pressure drops off suddenly when the car dies. This means that either the fuel pump relay is going out or the pump itself.
