Questions and Answers

Maxima Surging Q. Hi Vince, Great Website! I have a 1998 Nissan Maxima GLE. Other useful information includes: 3.0 fuel injected engine, automatic transmission, 36,000 miles, all power options, ABS brakes, and air conditioning.

The vehicle has a very sluggish idle when the car is in "Drive" with your foot on the brake, a couple of times it has even stalled out at traffic lights. Also I've noticed that the car will periodically "pull back" and "surge" forward at times, when you are maintaining an even speed on the highway. This is also apparent when the car is maintaining an even speed in cruise control.

I've recently had the car to a certified Nissan Dealer. They scoped the car and the computer returned a code of 56. As a result, they replaced the Throttle Position Sensor, which did not cure the problem at all. I've tried to troubleshoot other areas but have had no luck whatsoever. For example, in the last week, I've had all the throttle plates thoroughly cleaned and the fuel filter replaced.

Thank you in advance for your time and help.
Tim

A. The problem could still be with the TPS. There was a change in the adjustment procedure that effects the operation of the TPS.

From TSB number 99-053A dated 9/18/2000:

Nissan Revised Tps Adjustment Procedure

Applied Vehicle(s)

1995-1998	Maxima (A32)
1996-1998	Pathfinder (R50)
1995-1998	240SX (S14)
1995-1998	Sentra/200SX (B14) w/GA16 & SR20 engines
1996-1997	Truck (D21)
1998	Truck (D22)
1995-1997	Altima (U13)
1998	Altima (L30)
1996-1998	Quest (V40)

SERVICE INFORMATION:
Vehicles with OBD II self monitoring require the use of the closed throttle position switch (CTPS) in the throttle position sensor (TPS) when adjusting the TPS. The adjustment procedure for the TPS has been revised and standardized for all the applied models, regardless of transmission.

This procedure uses feeler gauges and an ohmmeter to set the CTPS. This is necessary because CONSULT cannot display the CTPS in all of the applied models.

This adjustment procedure must be made with the TPS installed on the engine of the vehicle.

Incorrect adjustment of this sensor may cause one or more of the following DTC's to be displayed: P1447, P0120, P0510, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P1705.

Since your car uses OBD-II diagnostics, I don't know where they got a code 56 since OBD-II codes are P codes..

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA