Stumped

[Sixguns]

Trying to figure out what is wrong with my car but I cant think of what it might be. I have a 2003 altima 3.5. It started doing this about a week or two ago. It usually only happens after the first time I start my car up for the day and also goes away after my engine warms up.

The issue
It feels as if it will begin to misfire between 2000-3000rpm. Check engine light begins to flash and will continue flashing until it stops. Hardly any power and it comes and goes until it passes. Some days it will do it for like 3-4 minutes some days for like 20 seconds. Any idea what might cause this?

 

[pcgeek11]

Go to Autozone or any other reputable parts house and have them scan for codes or pending codes. Post the codes on here.

It could be a lot of things!

 

[power_hour]

First thing that comes to mind is to check the catalytic converter. Had a friend who gave up that same model of car (I think his was also an 03) w/same 3.5 engine for that very reason - his kept failing and I am not sure why. Again, that is strictly a suggestion and not a diagnosis.

 

[Sixguns]

First thing that comes to mind is to check the catalytic converter. Had a friend who gave up that same model of car (I think his was also an 03) w/same 3.5 engine for that very reason - his kept failing and I am not sure why. Again, that is strictly a suggestion and not a diagnosis.

Had that replaced about a year ago along with a whole new exhuast system since it had fallen apart and destroyed it. They did say something about the o2 sensor being a little dinged up but this just started.

Ill get the code in a day or two when I come off my night shifts.

 

[LTC8K6]

IIRC a flashing light indicates a serious misfire.

 

[Sixguns]

IIRC a flashing light indicates a serious misfire.

That is why I need to figure out what is causing it so I dont destroy my car.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

That is why I need to figure out what is causing it so I dont destroy my car.

I'm pretty sure you'd only be out a hour of labor from any reputable shop to have them diagnose it. You don't have the appropriate tools nor the experience to figure it out. You might be "figuring this out" for the next few weeks and never come to a conclusion. Yes I'm all for doing my own repairs but sometimes I need help.

 

[sontakke]

Those engines are known to have ignition coil issues. From the code, you will get the cylinder number. For example if you get the code P0304, it means you have misfire on cylinder number 4. All odd cylinders are in the back near firewall, all even cylinders are in the front near radiator. This would be the middle coil in the front. It will be easy to replace. You can swap the coil and see if the code changes. For example, if you swap the bad coil from cylinder 4 to cylinder 6 (driver side front) and the code now becomes P0306, then you know for sure it is the coil. On the other hand, the code still stays P0304, that means it could bad spark plug or the bad cylinder. etc etc

By the way, it is extremely serious to have flashing check engine light. You should NOT drive like that. You will destroy your catalytic convertor(s) and they cost big bucks.

 

[CraigRT]

I would say get the coils tested, and the connections to them. Could even be a broken spark plug.

I have owned 2 VQ35's and have never had coil issues, but they are not uncommon.

 

[Sixguns]

Misfire number one is what it read. I just replaced plugs/coils and all that about 2 years ago. Guess I have something to do this weekend

 

[KentState]

Ours had a failing crank shaft position sensor which caused similar issues. This is also on a 2003 3.5 SE.

 

[thescreensavers]

this issue happened to me once, just cruising its ok but if I gave it gas to 3k I got a flashing engine light and the car was vibrating, which was a misfire of cyl 2.

then it never happened again.

 

[Viperoni]

Also known for bad camshaft and crank position sensors.