Nissan Repair: 2000 Max, mass airflow sensor, nissan maxima

Question
Hey Von,

I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima and last week was the first time I drive it for a 12 hour road trip. The car was running fine.  When I got to my destination to car was like jerking when I took my foot of the gas pedal.  And when I stop for a light I realize that the idle was around 1000 rpm. So I put    it in park in the idle rose up to 1500 to 2000 rpm.  Strange???  So I tuned of the car and star it again and wanted about a minute or so to start it up again.  So when I started the car again everything was fine.  I started to drive and stop for a stop sign and the problem came back again.  Some thing happened again when I put it in park or  neutral..

Thanks,

Answer
Greg,

Either you have a set of bad coils or the mass airflow sensor is going out.  If you have not had the service bulletin done on the coils then I would start with that first.  Basically, the coils short out internally and then they start misfiring.  At first they do not throw a check engine code so if your check engine light is not on and the engine is doing as you say and you have never replaced the coils then I would start with them.  Replace the plugs if you have not already done so since with the coils out this would be a good time.