Problems with 2004 Nissan Maxima
 

Recently, it's been having a little trouble starting (cranks and cranks, then you have to let it sit for a while, then it'll start). It had a CEL code for the EGR valve, so I had that replaced. The day I got the car back, it was running great until later that night. I turned into my neighborhood, and it started to act funny. When I gave it gas after going over a speed hump, the RPMs would jump from 1500 to 2500, then drop to around 1000. When I was about to park, all the dash lights (oil, brake, ABS, etc) lit up and the car shut off. Lights, radio, and heater were still on but the car was off. I tried to start it and it didn't crank, so I had to push it into my parking spot.

From reading online, it has all the symptoms of a bad MAF sensor, but I saw a semi-reliable (to my knowledge) method of testing the MAF. While the car was running, I unplugged the sensor and the car shut right off. From what I've seen, when that happens, the MAF most likely isn't the problem. I've also read that the camshaft position sensors could be a cause, but I don't really want to throw parts at the car and still have it not be fixed, so how else can I diagnose the issue?

Re: Problems with 2004 Nissan Maxima
 

disconnect the connector to the throttle body and see if it is able to hold idle first. if it does then attempt a throttle relearn/adaptation and see how that affects it after.

Re: Problems with 2004 Nissan Maxima
 

I had very similar symptoms on my '04 g35 at one point, dash going nuts, erratic idle and car starting, etc.
The cause ended up being the camshaft position sensor like you mentioned, which i actually never ended up even replacing.. but to diagnose the scenario I thoroughly cleaned the throttle body, MAFS, and battery terminals which actually cleared my CEL for about 100 miles, then it popped up again.

If im not mistaken, the maxima and g35 both share the same vq35de engine so you might be able to better diagnose your specific issue on a g35 forum. I dont remember the specific code for camshaft position sensor (theres sensors 2 I think) but if you have a CEL and its showing that, I would go ahead and start with that if your terminals, mafs, and throttle body look good.

Re: Problems with 2004 Nissan Maxima
 

Yep, they share the VQ35 until I think 07. There are two sensors, so I was just going to end up replacing both. I don't have a CEL for the sensors though, even when the light was on, it was for the EGR valve and went off when it was replaced. Cleaning the MAF and TB is where I'm gonna start, then see how it affects the car, then if there's no change, I'll change the cam sensors

Re: Problems with 2004 Nissan Maxima
 

try what i said first, the drive by wire throttle bodies on these nissans are complete garbage