# Altima Angst

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/altima-angst/16231>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** stalls, nissan, altima, rough\
**Created:** [July 4, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/altima-angst/16231 "2008-07-04T18:56:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LarryT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eada6e/32.png) [@LarryT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LarryT)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/altima-angst/16231/1 "2008-07-04T18:56:30Z")

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Car: 1997 Nissan Altima GXE 4cyl, 82K miles  
  
 Problem: Occasional stalls at idle, rough running at medium speeds, stumbles, hard starting, all intermittent. Problem for over a year, no obvious connection with time of year, cold/hot, wet/dry, etc. Has gotten only slightly worse over time.  
  
 I Tried: Replace spark plug cables and plugs. Replaced fuel pump relay.  
  
 Mechanic Tried: Checked for computer codes - none. Replaced distributor. Checked fuel pressure - OK. Talked to Nissan mechanics - clueless!  
  
  
  
 Any ideas out there? No, it’s not oil in the distributor!

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [July 4, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/altima-angst/16231/2 "2008-07-04T20:34:46Z")

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We had a problem lke this. It was carbon plugging up th exhaust gas recirculation system. We had codes tripped when it ran rough, but this could still be the problem.

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**Author:** ![Manolito](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/manolito/32/3070_2.png) [@Manolito](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manolito)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 7:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/altima-angst/16231/3 "2008-07-05T07:55:50Z")

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Intermittent problems are tough.

I would look for poor grounds on the computer/fuel control system.

I would suspect that perhaps the cold start enrichment system occasionally hangs up causing the car to flood. I have had that problem on a couple of different cars.

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**Author:** ![crankwalk5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@crankwalk5](https://community.cartalk.com/u/crankwalk5)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/altima-angst/16231/4 "2008-07-05T15:53:28Z")

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put the PCM,and the main relay in the freezer for 2hours,one at a time and see if that changes anything.

just remember one at a time ,so you know which one made the difference or not.

good luck.

wouldnt say the dealer techs were clueless (just tight lipped)and for obvious reasons.KEEP THAT UNDER YOUR HAT,LMAO!