99 Maxima engine problems

I recenly bought a 99 maxima with 78000 miles on it. About 3 weeks after getting it, the acceleration droped sharply and now, if i'm sitting at a light or something of that nature, the rpm's dip from 1000 quickly down to about 750 and then right back up, like a little hickup. It does it alot. I don't really notice it a lot when i'm cruising, but if i come to a stop, it hickups almost non stop (about ever 2 seconds or so). Anyone got any idea what might be wrong.

thanks,

sara

[Pablito]

coilpack(s) probably..is your SES light on?

and welcome..its nice to see some more maxima chicks on here

If you mean service engine soon, no it is not on. My hand brake light comes on once in a while, but that's it. thanks for the quick reply

[Pablito]

yea no prob....but then again i have heard that a coilpack can go bad w out triggering a SES, but 99 is the year that nissan changed the brand of coilpacks....it is very common with 99's for them to go bad early

I think autozone does free testing on coilpacks, so i'm gonna go check that out and see if that's it. I'll post later to let you know.

again, thanks for the quick help

[Ovaltine Jenkins]

your rpm aren't supposed to dip to 750, they are supposed to be at 750 all the time.

if your hand brake light is on, you may have another problem like low brake fluid
or even a failing alternator

The only place parts store that was open didn't have the coils i needed, so i went ahead and just did the spark plugs cuz i figured, why not, only 10 bucks to do all 6, and that actually fixed it. And i actually did it myself. And yes, now the idle is right around 750, that was the first thing i noticed (before i even read that^).

It's the same brake light that comes on for the hand brake. The first time it came on, it shut off 5 minutes later and i tested it by pulling on the hand brake and the light came back on, then when i put the hand brake back into it's proper position, the light just stayed on.

thanks for the help and tips