I have a 2004 Nissan Sentra and am having a problem with the car "jolting" or "pulsing" as it is accelerated either uphill

Asked by migration_jtownsend8... Feb 19, 2012 at 03:03 AM about the 2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2004 Nissan Sentra and I am having a problem with the car "jolting" or "pulsing" as it is accelerated either uphill or between 2500 and 3000 RPMs on the highway. It seems to lose power and fills like there are only spurts of gas getting to the engine. As I drove the car and it was jolting, I noticed that the temperature gauge was on “C” even after I had been driving on the highway for 10 minutes. I stopped and turned off the car and restarted it. The temperature gauge crept slowly up. I began driving and when it began jolting again, the temperature gauge went crazy. It would rise to half-way then to “C” then to ¼ of the way. It would move frequently in an odd pattern.
I have had the check engine light on for the past couple of weeks. I had it read and the code given was for a bad thermostat or thermostat sensor. I changed the sensor but the light did not go away.  Could the jolting be caused by the thermostat sticking and not allowing the circulation of coolant?
I read something earlier about the Mass Air Flow sensor not being properly grounded and therefore not sending proper signals to the ECU. Could this alter the thermostat sensor?

2 Answers
4,605

Doran answered 12 years ago

I would say that it is either that the MAF needs regrounding, or that you have an air leak somewhere after the MAF... unmetered air will give you approximately the same symptoms. Check the intake tubing for any cracks or looseness. If everything looks to be in good shape, definitely reground the MAF.

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful

nick021613 answered 10 years ago

I had tge same exact thing happen to me with mine... My father took a looked at it changed all my spark pluggs and it hasnt happened since and my check engine light went out and hasnt been back on...

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

Shortcuts

Search Nissan Sentra Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Doran Harney
    Reputation
    3,000
  • #2
    L_R
    Reputation
    2,940
  • #3
    GuruLK5L9
    Reputation
    1,580
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Nissan Altima
27 Great Deals out of 672 listings starting at $2,000
Used Honda Civic
159 Great Deals out of 3,391 listings starting at $2,230
Used Toyota Corolla
120 Great Deals out of 1,950 listings starting at $1,995
Used Honda Accord
44 Great Deals out of 907 listings starting at $2,799
Used Toyota Camry
49 Great Deals out of 952 listings starting at $2,212
Used Hyundai Elantra
159 Great Deals out of 3,192 listings starting at $1,850
Used Nissan Maxima
11 Great Deals out of 146 listings starting at $3,995
Used Mazda MAZDA3
76 Great Deals out of 1,519 listings starting at $2,299
Used Chevrolet Malibu
46 Great Deals out of 1,180 listings starting at $1,495
Used Hyundai Sonata
39 Great Deals out of 1,036 listings starting at $3,499

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.