1996 Nissan Maxima

1996 Nissan Maxima questions and answers

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Q: Does my 1996 nissan maxima have an alarm reset button? If so, where's it located?
I had to recharge my battery and when I re-connected it, an alarm went off I didn't even know the car had. I bought the car used & I don't have a remote key to shut it off. Can someone tell me where the reset button is located?

A: Just turn the key in either the trunk or drivers door lock to the unlock posistion and hold it one second that will dis arm the alarm. To arm the system turn the trunk or drivers door locks to lock and hold. watch the security light turn on on the dash. then 45 seconds it begins to flash. If the light is flashing rapidly the system has gone off. I bet if you buy a couple of remotes and program them you will have keyless entry again. and be able to arm and disarm the security system. By the way insurance companys discount 10 to 15% cars with alarms.

Q: are you suppose to remove the timing chain tensioner in replaceing the water pump on a 1996 nissan maxima?
i just want a 2nd opinion because the book says the job can be performed without removing timing chain cover by removing the timing chain tensioner.

A: Do it all the time remove the two black covers remove the tensioner from the rear cover. Take your time place rags around and tuck them in so when the last bolt comes out the tensioner and unloads the spring and push slug does not fall into the chain cover then as the book say turn the slack by rotating the crank slightly remove the water bump bolts. Then using 2, 8mm all threaded bolts in the two threaded holes on the pump flange to pull the water pump out. You did drain the engine block drains and pulled out the special drain bolt by the thermostat. If you get antifreeze into the chain case you must change the oil also. A word of warning old design chain tensioner might take forever to pump back up. That can be prevented by installing the newer design chain tensioner. 1997 and up have the fast to pump back up tensioners. It will rattle like heck and sometimes takes 30 miles of on and off the throttle driving to pump up an old style chain tensioner. You never have to remove the chain case(s) unless you want to repair that oil leak softening up the right lower control arm rear bushing. And use vasoline or light grease to lubricate the new water pump's o rings. and you should be able to push it all the way back in easily and replace the 3 bolts

Q: where do you refill the power steering fluid in a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
I can't see where to fill it up in my girls car. Some of the caps are in Chinese. Just need to know where to fill it up

A: It's the cylindrical can just in front of the left hand front shock tower. See: http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1f/44/ef/0900823d801f44ef/repairInfoPages.htm

Q: will i loose timing on 1996 nissan maxima if the crank got turned more than 20 degrees?
i was trying to get more slack from timing chain to install water pump ,in doing so i turned the crank more then 20 degrees.i did'nt remove the rear timing tensioner because it did'nt say to do so in my book.will that mess up my timing or anything else?

A: it will give the system different ratio and you will get a "Check Engine" sign up..but if you reset the your timing it will not mess up your engine this will also improve your cars engine life..because the ratio and timing will not screw it up

Q: Best tire sizes for my 1996 nissan maxima se?
I need good tires for my car, all weather, I live in minneapolis so they should be good on snow as well. I can't afford more than $90 on each tire so any suggestions. I need to firstly know the right size for the tires which I don't.

A: your stock tire size is P215/60R15. this means the tread is 215mm wide, the sidewall, or distance between the edge of the rim and the tread is 60% of the 215mm = 129mm, and the 15 indicates that the rim is 15 inches in diameter. You should stick fairly close to the stock tire size, so you could go with a 205/60R15 or maybe a 225/60R15, etc. just play around with the numbers on a tire website such as tirerack.com to see which size will be the cheapest.

Q: How much should it cost to get a deck installed in my 1996 Nissan Maxima?
It's a Pioneer deck that i've already purchased. I've gotten it quotes at a local car audio shop and they said it will be in the area of $170. seems a little steep to me

A: we charge $125.00 for that car because of the bose system all the speakers need to be rewire you also need a wiring kit a plastic radio kit, and the antenna adapter $150.00 is the most you can pay not more no one is going to do it for $40.00 and it is a bad idea to do your self good luck

Q: Does anyone know where the fuel pump fuse is on a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
My car won't start and someone told me it may be that fuel pump fuse is blown. Can someone tell me which fuse it is? What amp?

A: Jeanette, Click on the link below and register. Its a very informative forum that covers every aspect of the Maxima. I have one too. These guys know their stuff.

Q: How much would it cost to do electrical work on a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
Windows, sunroof, power doors, and radio are not working. I live in New Jersey if that matters. How much would it cost to get it working?

A: Could be as little as a $.50 fuse.

Q: Mobil 1 Synthetic oil for a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
I have a 9 maxima with around 102k miles on it. The previous owner used regular oil at the jiffy lube. However i would like to change the oil myself using mobil 1 Synthetic oil. I hear that it keeps the engine clean and running smoothly. I just want to know is it okay to change now? Any feedback?

A: 10w-30 Mobil 1 would be a good choice for oil. It's highly recommended by the guys at maxima.org whether it's full synthetic or not. Don't buy any crap about your engine having "quite a bit of wear" that thing has hardly any miles on it seeing as it's a VQ30DE, it and the previous VG30 engine are known to last 200K miles or more before a rebuild and often over 300K. There is no reason not to change aside from price. Which is why my 94 gets regular Mobil 1 which is partially synthetic from what I hear.

Q: I have a 1996 nissan maxima se. How do i replace the ac/alternator belt tensioner(idler pulley)?
I have been told i can just replace the bearing inside the pulley. Is this true? How do i get the bearing out of the pulley? How do i get the tension back on the new belt etc. Any info will be apreciated.

A: The tensioner for the AC idler has a bolt that tightens the tension. This is accessed from underneat the car, with the splash guard removed. There was a change in the design of the actual pulley around 1995 or 1996. I do think you have to replace the pulley on that year to get the new bearing. First, you will notice a bolt behind the pulley. Loosen that bolt, but do not take it all the way out, so feel around the top, to make sure you don't pull it all the way out of the sliding bracket. Next, loosen the center nut on the pulley, and it will practically fall toward you, loosening the belt. Now you can take the center nut off, and slide the pulley off. When you put the new pulley back on, tighten the center nut just a little snug, so as to allow the pulley to slide on the bracket. Now, you can tighten the bolt behind the pulley to put the tension on the belt. When you have the belt at the correct tension, you can tighten the center nut. This should take care of it. If the belt squeals at start up, or when you start the AC, loosen the center nut and tighten the adjusting bolt, to adjust the belt. Good luck.

Q: What is the stud configuration for a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
I'm after some alloys for my car and what to know what is universally compatible.

A: bolt pattern is 5 x 114. Universal will have 10 holes ..one set for 5 x 100 and the other 5 x 114. IF you buy from a shop they will now what fits and what doesn't. Becareful if you use craigslist. A lot of ppl will list wheels but not know the bolt pattern. All 5 lug wheels will not fit your car. ONLY 5 X 114

Q: I'm having problems with my 1996 Nissan Maxima. How much is a good price to get these repairs done?
The guy a the shop quoted me prices on the following repairs, but I think he's trying to rip me off. What is a decent price for the following repairs on my 1996 Nissan Maxima? 1) Water pump replacement. (He said there is a major leak) 2) New left Axle. (He said it's bent and can only get worse) 3) Transmission flush. (He said it's really dirty) 4) Serpentine belt. (He said there is a partial tear)

A: Water pump $108 pump $180 labor axle around $ 225 alignment extra trans flush and 12 QT of trans fluid around $125/135 and there are two belts $145 includes one hour labor. Approx Prices done at a Nissan Dealership : by the way are warrantied for 12 months 12,000 miles. Make sure they stand behind the flush should the transmission fails. I would not mess with a old trans that is shifting fine even if the fluid is dark. I have seen many transmissions stop working after a flush out of the old neglected fluid.

Q: do a 1996 nissan maxima have more than one timing chain tensioner?
i had waterpump removed from 1996 maxima 3.0dohc ,followed the process fully only when the new pump was being installed the timing chain does'nt have enough slack, is there another tensioner on the bottom somewhere?

A: Go to this site: http://pdftown.com/search/node/nissan+maxima+1996. scroll down until you see the 1994, 1998, 2002 maxima service manual and click the link, when the page loads scroll down and hit the download . below the word download you will see pass: pdftown.com, this is the password to open up the file where the factory service manuals are. download the 1998 maxima manual it is the same as the 1996 manual. the file is a zip file so unzip the file after downloading to reveal the pdf service manual. the manual will give you step by step instructions.

Q: How much do you think it will cost to get one rear strut on a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
I'm being offered to buy an 1996 Nissan Maxima for $1500, the only thing that is wrong with it is that it needs a rear strut. How much do you think it will cost?

A: It is recommended that you replace them in pairs. It depends on the exact level of options, some are about 170 dollars(active suspension equiped), while others are in the 70 dollar range (non-active suspension).

Q: How much would it cost to install a spoiler on a 1996 Nissan Maxima?
i just got a 1996 Nissan Maxima and im interested in installing a spoiler on it. JUst curious to see what the price range would be. Thanks :)

A: You can get a painted OEM spoiler on ebay for around $300. A body shop shouldn't charge over $100 to put it on for you.. or you can do it yourself. Dont go with the tacky body kits or huge stupid spoilers. They ruin the drag coefficient of your car and can make it handle like a wet rag.. the OEM spoiler is designed in a wind tunnel.. the ricer body kits are not.