catfish

My wife's 98 Maxima has been having a cold start problem. In the morning, the car turns over, catches, then dies. You have to hold the gas pedal down and then start it. Give it gas when you start it, then it will idle down and be fine. It only has the problem on the first start of the day. It starts fine the rest of the time. There are no check engine lights or any other problems. The car runs great after it starts. I've done the basic maintainence to the car. Anyone have any suggestions?

Largo

Which engine is that? the VG or VQ? I can never remember. My car had similair problems and it's a VG30ET, Turned out the plug for the high idle control was shot, replaced it and problem solved

catfish

It is the VQ30DE dual overhead cam motor.

tampamax

Ive got a code scanner you could come by or meet up and see if we can pull some hidden codes. Or try out www.maxima.org/forums and ask the same question over there. I'm sure you have a good answer in minutes.

jt14894

Sorry to hear about the cold starting issue with your Wife's Max.
I used to own a 1998 SE (5-spd) and never had any cold starting issues or any other engine problems with it.
Unfortunately, I sold it (Nov 2003) so that I could use the $$$$ to help pay for my 2003 350Z. It had 101,000+ miles (75% highway miles) when it was sold and it still ran like new.
I kind of regret selling it, but oh well. At least its in good hands with family.
Maybe I'll buy it back sometime. After I finish paying off my Z.
Best of luck to ya.

catfish

Thanks for the offer.

I was doing some looking around in various manuals and came up with one thing to check before i bother anyone. Apparently there is a mechanical spring on the throttle body that holds the throttle open when it is cold. As the car warms, the spring allows the throttle blade to return to it's normal position. The setting is adjustable to some extent. There is a process to check it that I want to run through first. If that fails to remedy the situation, I'll get in touch with you and see about the scan for a code.

catfish

I still think the Maxima is one of the best comprimises between a sports car and a family car. There was nothing close for the money in 98 when we bought it. I wish a 350Z was an option, but with a 2 year old and another coming in July, we need the back seat and four doors. The 98 will be around for a while, it's only got 75K on it and still runs like new other than the cold start issue.