Nissan Repair: 2000 Maxima GLE running sluggish, throttle position sensor, 2000 maxima gle

Question
Hi Von.  I have been having a problem with my car lately.  When I step on the gas, the car basically doesn't respond.  The rpm's do not increase and the car doesn't accelerate.  When I take my foot off the gas and pump again, the car will usually take off.  This happens each morning and when the car has been sitting for many hours.  I thought it may be a problem with the fuel pump or something, but I have read similar complaints by others and now I'm thinking about replacing the plugs.  I have 84k on the car and Nissan recommends changing them at 115k I believe.  I've also seen complaints of the coils going bad.  The check engine light is not on and I have not brought the car to a mechanic.  On long stretches of highway, the car will start to exhibit the same behavior when I'm cruising at a constant speed.  I feel it buck slightly and it feels like it's going to stall or decelerate, but it quickly corrects itself and keeps going.  It's aggravating when you are making you way into the passing lane, jump on the gas, and the car won't respond.  Typically in this situation the tach will increase, but I feel like the transmission won't switch gears.  Again, I have to take my foot off the gas and reapply to get any response or to switch gears.

Any ideas?  Fuel pump? Plugs, coils?  Transmission problem?

Thanks.

Answer
Sean,

The coils do go bad.  I would replace the plugs with NGK or Nippondenso.  I have a 2000 Maxima and have replaced the coils and it corrected the problem you describe.  Also, I would be checking the computer for codes and the throttle position sensor to see if there are dead spots.  The bucking is the coils...  courtesynissan.com has the coils for about half the price of the dealer.  rockauto.com is another good source.