Nissan Maxima A32 GXE, SE & GLE Service Manual – 1998

Nissan’s factory service manual for the 1998 Maxima A32 covers the North American four-door, left-hand-drive, front-wheel-drive sedan with the VQ30DE engine. Its identification tables distinguish GXE/GXE-L, GLE, SE, SE-S and SE-L grades, U.S. non-California, California and Canadian specifications, and standard or viscous-LSD transaxles.

PDF Search, Bookmarks and Section Files

Text search and diagram detail: The PDFs contain searchable text and embedded bookmarks. Lettering within many diagrams is not searchable, and small wiring labels require zooming. Chapter bookmarks support navigation within the service sections; cross-file links depend on the PDF viewer and file paths, and the model-selection link points to a file not included in the download.

The ZIP contains 20 printable PDFs totaling 1,730 pages, including an 11-page duplicate of the Foreword/Quick Reference file. Section lengths are: Foreword/Quick Reference 11; GI 49; MA 23; EM 75; LC 21; EC 476; FE 5; CL 13; MT 47; AT 293; FA 28; RA 15; BR 66; ST 29; RS 56; BT 48; HA 135; EL 321; alphabetical index 8, plus the duplicate Foreword/Quick Reference 11. The total includes two copies of the one-page customer-feedback form.

Engine, Transaxle and Vehicle-System Repair

These selected coverage highlights introduce the main service areas. Additional topics include front engine-mount control and remote-controller ID registration.

• VQ30DE engine repair: Step-by-step engine removal, timing-chain service, cylinder-head disassembly, valve-clearance adjustment and cylinder-block work, with compression, lubrication and cooling-system diagnosis.

• Transaxles and clutch: Automatic-transaxle electrical and hydraulic diagnosis, major overhaul and selective adjustment; manual gearbox, synchronizer, final-drive and hydraulic-clutch service.

• Engine-control diagnostics: OBD-II fault-code procedures, CONSULT and generic scan-tool workflows, ECM terminal references, sensor graphs, intermittent-fault checks and symptom-based diagnosis.

• Electrical and body controls: Starting, charging, power distribution, accessories and IVMS multiplex diagnosis, supported by wiring diagrams, harness layouts and connector-terminal views.

• Chassis, brakes and steering: Axles, wheel bearings, drive shafts, suspension and alignment; disc brakes, parking brakes, ABS diagnosis, steering-gear and pump overhaul.

• Body and restraints: Seat-belt and SRS service, collision diagnosis, trim removal, sunroof troubleshooting, glass work and body-alignment dimensions.

• Manual and automatic climate control: R-134a performance and pressure diagnosis, automatic-climate self-diagnosis, sensor and actuator checks, refrigerant service, lubricant management and compressor-clutch repair.

This manual suits technicians and experienced owners familiar with workshop measurements and electrical testing; advanced diagnosis and overhaul require the specified equipment, and Nissan reserves SRS maintenance for authorized dealers.

Maintenance, Electrical Testing and Workshop Tools

Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 maintenance tables accompany approved-fluid and lubricant information and routine engine, chassis, brake, steering and EVAP inspections.

General Information explains Nissan wiring conventions, connector probing, terminal inspection, electrical-incident simulation and diagnostic flowcharts. It also covers CONSULT access, VIN and model-code interpretation, lifting points and towing.

Special-tool tables identify Nissan and Kent-Moore equipment, including the KV10111100/J37228 seal cutter for the steel oil pan and rear timing-chain case, and the KV101151S0/J38972 lifter-stopper set for valve-shim work.

Engine Internals, Lubrication and Cooling

Oil-pan and timing-case sealing procedures accompany cylinder-head and cylinder-block inspection, bearing selection and assembly data. Valve service includes cold-clearance checking and replacement-shim selection.

The timing-chain cautions explain how independent crankshaft and camshaft movement can cause valve-to-piston contact. Oil-pressure testing, oil-pump inspection, radiator service, cooling-fan control and overheating analysis connect mechanical checks with the related engine-control diagnosis.

Water-pump service covers replacement as a complete unit. The thermostat and water inlet are also replaced together rather than disassembled.

Automatic and Manual Transaxle Diagnosis

For RE4F04A/RE4F04V automatics, the manual combines TCM terminal-reference tables with stall, line-pressure and road tests. Shift-lock troubleshooting leads into removal and overhaul information for clutch packs, brakes, the oil pump, control valves and final drive, with selective-shim adjustment.

RS5F50A/RS5F50V coverage includes gear and synchronizer repair, bearing preload, shaft end play and viscous-coupling checks. The clutch section adds hydraulic bleeding, master- and operating-cylinder inspection, and disc, cover and release-mechanism service.

The automatic-transaxle Hydraulic Control Circuit and Circuit Diagram for Quick Pinpoint Check show the hydraulic and electrical sides of diagnosis together.

Engine Management and Fault Isolation

Fuel-injection, ignition, misfire and oxygen-sensor procedures sit alongside EGR, EVAP and catalyst-monitoring diagnosis. Idle control, fuel-pump control and A/T communication have their own checks.

The Engine and Emission Control System Diagram and Vacuum Hose Drawing establish component and hose relationships. ECM reference values, operating-condition charts, fail-safe information and non-CONSULT checks give a technician a path from a reported symptom to the circuit, sensor, actuator or mechanical assembly that requires testing.

Electrical Systems and IVMS

Power-supply routing and ground distribution support starting, charging, lighting, meter, warning-system, wiper and rear-defogger diagnosis. ASCD, audio, sunroof, seat and mirror circuits are also covered.

IVMS information separates the BCM and five local control units, with multiplex-communication checks and system-specific troubleshooting for power windows, door locks, remote entry and theft warning. Its system diagram and BCM/LCU schematics are supported by electrical-unit locations and harness layouts.

SMJ, junction-box, fuse-box and joint-connector terminal arrangements provide the connector detail needed to follow those circuits.

Brakes, Steering, Body and SRS

ABS self-diagnosis and circuit checks are supported by the ABS Hydraulic Circuit and ABS wiring diagrams. Steering coverage adds hydraulic bleeding and pressure testing to the gear and pump repair procedures.

Hub-service cautions address damage to ABS sensors, wiring and sensor-rotor teeth. Drive-shaft procedures distinguish serviceable components from the wheel-side joint, which is not disassembled.

SRS, ABS and ASCD troubleshooting use system-specific diagnostic paths. Restraint coverage includes front and side airbags, seat belts and post-collision inspection; body information supplies trim, sunroof and glass procedures with alignment dimensions.

R-134a and Automatic Climate Control

Refrigeration-cycle and airflow layouts accompany variable-displacement compressor operation, performance charts and abnormal-pressure diagnosis. Separate manual and automatic A/C circuit diagrams support the corresponding electrical checks.

Automatic-climate coverage explains auto-amplifier communication with the door-motor LCUs and PBR position feedback. Refrigerant procedures include leak checking, compressor mounting and lubricant-quantity management.

New-type and former refrigerant connections use non-interchangeable O-rings; an incorrect seal can leak, while incompatible refrigerant or lubricant can damage the compressor.

Recover R-134a with approved equipment before opening the refrigerant circuit, and do not probe yellow SRS wiring with electrical test equipment unless the factory procedure specifically calls for it.

A Preview of Valve-Clearance and Oil-Pressure Data

For VQ30DE cold valve-clearance checks, the intake range is 0.26–0.34 mm and the exhaust range is 0.29–0.37 mm. The valve-service section links these checking ranges to shim selection and adjustment.

With the engine at normal operating temperature and under no load, the lubrication section lists oil pressure above 69 kPa at idle and 435–551 kPa at 3,000 rpm. The test conditions specify Neutral for M/T and Park for A/T.