2000 Nissan Maxima SE from North America - Comments

I have a 2000 Maxima SE and have had problems with it for 1 1/2 years. It started with the check engine soon lights and SES lights. I have changed the coil packs; the light went off and then came back on shortly after, only to find out it was the catalytic convertors. They do not affect the drivability of the car, so I left it alone.

The SES lights came on again, and I drove it for about a year with them going on and off. I have read every comment on this site and tried everything to get the lights to go off.

Then about 6 months ago the coils packs started to just burn up, and the car started stalling a lot. My mechanic hooked it up and it gave 21 trouble codes, and the main component to them all was the power control module. The computer to the whole car went bad. We finally replaced it at $1000.00 and it fixed all 21 trouble codes with the exception of the catalytic converters. So long story short, the computer lost its mind and sent all kinds of bad information to the car.

Hope this helps.

I have a 2001 Maxima GLE. I did have the problem of "Service Engine Soon". It was occurred twice while my car does not have issues such as engine stalled, unstable RPM, bad odor at the muffler, etc. And I was able to solve it with the following steps with minimun cost. I always drive with premium fuel. And I did switch to low grade gasoline due to the high cost. After switching for 1 month or 2, the SES lighted on. I believe it that the SES must associated to the gasoline grade. So I switched back to top grade. Now here are the steps:

1. Once SES is on, uses top grade fuel;

2. Lock the gas cap correctly and tight each time. If not, the gas tank will lost pressure, this would issue sensor error.

3. Drive it for a few weeks or more mileages. Push gas pedal with brute force for cleaning.

4. Drive up to the tank is empty. When the light of gas low is on, you still can drive for more than 20 km. So during this course of low gas, I drive to a few places. Turn off and turn on the engine for a few times (>5x).

5. Now it's again the time to fill up the tank with top grade fuel. After the topping, start the engine, and the SES didn't came on. And the problem is now fixed.

So it is fixed, why did it come on for the 2nd time? I guess that my gas cap was loose again. However, I did a emission test today, the test result was PASS. So the health of the car is in good condition. The SES was on due to some loose part, otherwise the emission test report will state incorrect spec of HC, CO, NO.

Before spending too much $$$, you can find cheap alternatives to diagnose your problem: lock/replace gas cap, emission test instead of the error code reader.

Hope this help. Good luck.

2000 Maxima GXE (5-speed) - Original Owner - 103,000 miles -always use premium.

I have never had the injectors cleaned (never needed it).

I had the #4 coil changed at 50,000 miles.

I had the whole coil set and plugs changed at 87,000 miles. (about $800). Ran okay, just okay.

I informed the service guy at Nissan that it just didn't feel right. It felt like a 9 second car to 60mph instead of a sub-7 second car to 60mph. He didn't agree.

I had a tech take the car out, and he agreed with me.

He recommended the Mass Airflow sensor to be changed, EVEN THOUGH THE IDIOT LIGHT didn't COME ON FOR IT (do you hear that Nissan???), and the car was like new again. Much cheaper than the coils @ $90 apiece.

The idiot light finally came on two months before inspection. I listened to the comments.

I changed the gas cap ($7.86) and unhooked the negative side of the battery for 30 minutes. Idiot light went out!

Never needed the catalytic converter to be looked at.

Thanks you to all and to the tech at Nissan, (not the service desk guy!). The car feels new again.

Hi all. I had the same problems for a long time on a 2000 Maxima.

I replaced spark plugs three times with little or no improvement.

Last week I bought all six coils on ebay at $215.00, replaced them and the spark plugs and cleaned the MAF sensor. The SES light went off and the car is powerful now.

I plan to buy a new MAF this week.

Before putting too much money on your car, I would suggest changing the MAF sensor probably at $150.00 at NAPA.

Thanks for all the info but i'm still a little stuck. I have a 2k maxima with 176000 miles. On cold days at start up it runs like crap. After it warms up it runs great. No SES light ever. Can someone give me some input. It would be greatly appreciated. -theguru831@gmail.com.

Hi I own a 2000 maxima se with 83k on it at 80k the engine light came on replaced 1 coil light reset and it came back on in 2 weeks I then changed the mass air flow censor reset the light and it's been 6 months light still out and the car has a lot more power so I say try replacing the mass air flow censor

good luck

gordo.