Nissan Repair: 96 Nissan maxima stalling, nissan maxima se, mass airflow sensor

Question
QUESTION: I have a 96 Nissan Maxima SE, AT, and when I am driving at a slow speed, or coming to a 'stop' while applying the brake, my rpms drop to where they almost stall, and have stalled a couple of times.  I have had the battery tested, alternator tested (both changed and are new) and I have disconnected the mass airflow sensor and that only caused a series of additional problems.  Do you know what I should look at next?

ANSWER: Bret,

Low idle could be caused by a defective idle air control valve.  Check for codes if the check engine light is on or not.  Pending codes will come up on the computer.  The mass airflow sensor is the moet probably defective part after the idle air control valve.  This is why I say get the codes read first as both parts are expensive and you do not want to throw parts at the problem unless you are sure.  Never disconnect sensors while the engine is running, especially the mass airflow sensor.  Any voltage spike can kill the integrated circuit that dirves it.  I should know since I have smoked a few when I first started working on mass air flow cars.  Anyway, these are the first two things you should be looking at.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the help.  I read in my 'repair manual', you can test this, and also possibly clean the idle air control valve.  Two questions - do you leave the car running when you test the 'electrical connection' with a 'volt meter' or should the car be 'turned off'?

Also, in cleaning this, it is said that you can use some 'carborator cleaner' and soak this in it - question is, do you 'soak the entire idle air control valve' (electronic clip part and all) in carborator cleaner, or just the 'back part' of the idle air control valve?

Thanks again for you help (in advance).

Bret Walker

Answer
Bret,

Test the idle air control valve with the car off.  If you want to check the reference voltage to the idle air control valve turn the key on, but do not start the car.  Only clean the business end with cleaner and do not soak it.  Carburetor cleaner on the electrical side will fry it.