S.O.S.- Mayday- Help - update #2

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 4:09 pm

Well stuff... We need somebody with some mechanics smarts. Elaine went to run an errand today and the Pathfinder would not start. It is a mid 90's with a 3.0 V6 and automatic.
She ran around in it on Sat and had no trouble that I know of.
I went out and checked a couple basic things. Has fuel, pulled off the hose from the fuel filter and when the ign was turned on there was a 6" geyser out of it. It cranks but will not start. It doesn't appear to have spark.

Everything under the hood seems to be rather damp and with it raining again we are leery of running any cords out to try to dry it. It has been wet before without giving us any trouble.

It is the only vehicle we have, so this leaves us of dead in the water. We need the vehicle to get to doctors appointments. UGH!!

Any body here familiar enough with the electronics in a mid 90 Nissan to give us tips and suggestions on what to check?
I have no test meters other than a Fluke DVOM, and never could get a handle on the computerized systems.

Joe

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 4:12 pm

No knowledge or experience with Nissans, & have only had 2 Datsuns. But... check under the distributor cap for condensation.

jhrosier · Post by **jhrosier** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 4:16 pm

I don't know anything about your car, Joe, but my 03 Taurus drove me about nuts for several weeks of intermittently not starting.
It turned out to be a vacuum leak in a place that was not easy to find.

Good luck, Jack

Post by **David** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 4:17 pm

Those still had distributor caps??? (I think)

I'd pop that and shoot some wd40 in there. If it's a question of spark if you pull a plug (or have another laying around) you could turn it over with it laying on something metal and see if it's firing.

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 5:00 pm

Deleted.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 5:21 pm

Check EFI fuse- I had that happen years ago, fuse burned through and zip.
Pull the wires and blow them out with compressor. Use dielectric grease when replacing them.
Good Luck!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 5:31 pm

IF it has a distributor, it could be cracked...
My 08 Jeep has cool packs and it still sputters, burps & fanny burbs in damp weather.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 7:53 pm

If it has a regular distributor, pop the cap up and see if the rotor and cap contacts are scorched and burned up, it may be something simple like cap and rotor replacement. If/when it runs, open the hood when its running in the dark and see if theres arcs of spark leaks out of the plug wires. If so, the wires should be replaced.

Good luck with it Joe.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:01 pm

Gunny has a good suggestion, check your fuses, all of them, it could lead you to the problem. Relays are another problem child. If it has a cap and rotor and got water in it, the WD40 suggestion is spot on, I never went anywhere off roading without it.

piller · Post by **piller** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:24 pm

The WD40 is about where my knowledge ends. Had a 1990 Escort which kept going dead. Turned out to be a voltage regulator gone bad. I bought a cheap voltmeter at Wally World and found that I was only getting 11 volts with the car running. Changed the voltage regulator and got 13.4 volts. No further issues until the engine died at 150,000 miles. That was just factory engineered obsolescence.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:17 pm

Almost immediately after posting this it started raining. Got nothing done as I have no place out of the weather to work. Hopefully tomorrow it will be more dry.
Then I'll get started.

Thanks for the ideas.

Joe

soon 2 retire · Post by **soon 2 retire** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 10:07 pm

Joe, I had a Nissan Sentra that would run great until it wouldn't. I found out it was plugs and they did not last more than a year and a half. I took to carrying 4 gapped plugs in the console with 3/8" ratchet, plug socket, and extension. I found the cheaper non-platinum plugs lasted longer. It was mid 90's and I had it about 12 years and changed plugs about 5 or 6 times.

Bob in Friday Harbor, WA

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 10:37 pm

another thing, if the spark is there,

and the battery is good and hot,

check the wiring to the starter relay and the B+ on the starter if it has such a thing. used to be that bottom contact would go dead cold. needs to be wire brushed. but make sure the batt is disconnected first.

starter relay can be it, and the hot side of the starter cable at the starter.

used to be a shadetree mechanic paycheck in that little item

hayabusa · Post by **hayabusa** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 11:29 pm

Sometimes when you gas up and don't get the gas cap screwed on all the way you get an vacuum leak and all sorts of dash lights go on and off and auto does not run or run correctly.

hayabusa

draperjojo · Post by **draperjojo** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 11:40 pm

Sounds like you have fuel. You need to check for spark. Pull a spark plug and ground it against the engine with the plug wire on it and have someone turn the key to verify if you have spark. Might be easier to see if its starting to get a little dark outside. Checking the ignition fuse is a great suggestion, especially if there is no spark. If you know anyone with a code reader you can use, borrow it and check for trouble codes too. How many miles are on the car?

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Tue Jan 03, 2017 11:57 pm

While it's dark and damp out open the hood and watch the plug wires while someone else cranks the engine over. See if you have any arching. Damp weather will bring out problems in plug wires and coils.

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:01 am

In addition to checking the fuses, there are fusible links near the battery that are known to fail. If your problem isn't found there, most likely the problem is in the distributor. A remanufactured distributor can be had from the local parts store for about $200. But before you go buying any parts, make sure that the distributor is actually turning, and you don't have a mechanical issue.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:22 am

I am leaning towards the distributor too, if you change it yourself don`t just yank the thing out of there.
Ya got mark where the rotor is pointing and a mark on the base too the manifold, something so ya get the timing close to where it was then have it timed with a light.
Hope ya get it sorted out.

mikld · Post by **mikld** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:43 am

It's been a few years since I worked on Nissans and my manuals are all gone but you can look here; mid 90 Nissanhttps://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-in ... g+problems

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:53 am

mikld wrote:It's been a few years since I worked on Nissans and my manuals are all gone but you can look here; mid 90 Nissanhttps://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-in ... g+problems

mikld,

Firefox couldn't open the link. It's way too cold and windy right now to go outside and play with ice cold car parts. Perhaps if my wife plies me with hot chocolate or something stronger I might consider it.

Joe

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 12:47 pm

In my older Pathfinder it turned out to be the alternator. I miss that nimble old rig.

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:11 pm

A dash of fresh gas down the carb to tempt the old girl. Mebbe water got in the works.

Marvin S · Post by **Marvin S** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:27 pm

If it has a distributor cap it may be cracked and moisture may be the problem. Give it a good shot of ether/starting fluid Down the air intake. If it starts watch it run in the dark there may be a range war going on under the hood. That's my 2 cents.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:45 pm

Well pelosi .....

I went outside and started checking things. First I found the doors frozen shut. Got them open. Checked the fuses - all good. Then I got my gloves out and opened the hood.
darn IT'S COLD outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I carefully removed the dist cap, it was clean inside, no signs of cracks or defects. The carbon button was free to move. Rotor was clean as well.

Looked at a few other connections then realizing I had nothing to loose, I stuck the key in the switch and turned it ..... two revolutions and it was running ...

Just like always. ARRRRRGGGHH!!!!

So now we don't know if there is an intermittent problem that has developed or if something just got wet.

Yesterday, everything under the hood was wet. Today either dry or frozen.

My wife said to add that she sooooo wants to throw a temper tantrum. Well, I just kicked the tire.

Joe

Marvin S · Post by **Marvin S** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 5:20 pm

Cracks in the cap can be real fine and hard to see. May be on the sides or from tower to tower. When it warms some buy a new borg warner premium with solid brass terminals and see if that help next time.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 5:27 pm

Friends of mine had a Dodge Aspen years ago, sometimes it would start sometimes it would crank and crank. I would kick the left front tire and it would start! Every time!!
They got rid of it after we graduated from college since I wasn't around to kick it!

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 7:28 pm

I bet there was a relay buss on that side gunny.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Jan 06, 2017 5:00 pm

12° F outside at 16:30 here in Fort Wayne. My wife and I went outside to put some Berryman B12 in the tank just in case there is water in the gas. I also checked the plug and coil wires at the dist cap and they were tight. Still no idea what caused the no start last Wednesday. The Pathfinder is starting and running normally since yesterday.

Our crazy pollydactyl cat went outside with us, bounced around in the snow for about a minute, then went back to the door and stood there squalling while bouncing from one foot to the other. She wanted back in BAD!
I can't blame her I got way too cold too.

But the Pathfinder issue has passed for now. I hope.

Joe

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 12:01 am

Joe, if it does it again, try a battery charger on it. Some vehicles can have enough charge to turn over and sound normal, but if there isn't a certain voltage to the coil, it wont actually fire or start. I couldn't believe it the first time I heard of it, but some are that way.

Hope it stays straightened out.

rossim92 · Post by **rossim92** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 6:37 am

all good advice. Sounds like a good quality tuneup is in order. could be the fuel pump going bad also. what my nephew does instead of dropping the tank is to remove rear seat, carefully cut a hole right above where sender sits in tank and change it out from there, make sure u change out fuel filter also. after tuneup I would replace ignition module and fuel pump relay if the problem still persists. electrical problems are a royal pain.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 8:57 am

Malamute,
Quite right about bat voltage. I learned about that with a 89 Ford PU some years ago. The alt quit and we just barely had enough juice in the bat to make the driveway. It was running real c.r.a.p.p.y. by then.

rossim92,
It is due for a tune up as well as some mechanical work. I haven't been physically able to do it and we haven't had the funds to pay for having it done.
No friends or relatives capable or willing to help around here either.

Joe

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 12:18 pm

J Miller wrote:Malamute,
Quite right about bat voltage. I learned about that with a 89 Ford PU some years ago. The alt quit and we just barely had enough juice in the bat to make the driveway. It was running real c.r.a.p.p.y. by then.

rossim92,
It is due for a tune up as well as some mechanical work. I haven't been physically able to do it and we haven't had the funds to pay for having it done.
No friends or relatives capable or willing to help around here either.

Joe

Joe, I don't know about where you live, but around here there is at least one outreach ministry where mechanics and the mechanically inclined provide a free car clinic periodically. perhaps there is such a thing available near you.

Saturday AM radio programming, which around here is normally of the infomercial variety, is where a local car talk program exists, and I think that's where I learned about the free car clinic.

Hope some such is availabe to you . . .

35 Whelen · Post by **35 Whelen** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 1:01 pm

1992 Nissan pickup owner here. I washing the motor a few nights ago, with the motor running, and it suddenly died (no, I didn't spray water in or near the air intake). A cursory search found the wire on the coil had been knocked loose by the water pressure. It wasn't completely off and had I not given it a little tug, I'd have never known. So, you might check the coil wire on top of the coil.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Jan 07, 2017 1:07 pm

I still say it was condensation in the distributor cap. I've had that happen, even in a sealed cap, come in late at night when the dew point was relatively high with a hot engine, turn it off and in the morning it wouldn't start. Pulled the cap, and LOTS of moisture around the top and all over the points, etc. It only happens when you're rushed, runnin' late, all dressed up in the Sunday best, etc.!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:36 am

Griff wrote:I still say it was condensation in the distributor cap. I've had that happen, even in a sealed cap, come in late at night when the dew point was relatively high with a hot engine, turn it off and in the morning it wouldn't start. Pulled the cap, and LOTS of moisture around the top and all over the points, etc. It only happens when you're rushed, runnin' late, all dressed up in the Sunday best, etc.!

+1.....WD40 is your friend..

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Jan 08, 2017 8:57 am

Griz,
My wife checked ot one ministry like that and got mixed reports about them. At that point the truck was running again so we didn't pursue it.

As for radio, I can't remember the last time I actually listened to a radio show of any kind. I'd actually forgotten that media.

Griff, Gamekeeper,
Not arguing, the problem seems to have gone away for now. If it happens again, I'll be checking the dist right off.

Joe

rossim92 · Post by **rossim92** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 3:31 am

my sister has a nissan sentra, It would cotoff for no reason, sit a bit, and it would start up. Finally it quit running altogether and found out it was the distributor went bad. got one for 250 bucks, runs better now then it has for a while.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Feb 02, 2017 10:25 am

Since the day after it wouldn't start, it's been starting and running normally. When the weather changes I'll do some more looking, but at sub freezing temps I was just glad it seems to have fixed itself.

Joe

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 11:40 pm

Joe, it's new enough that it should have a computer in it. Why not take it to the local parts store and let them pull the fault code(s) for you?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Feb 05, 2017 8:10 am

cnjarvis wrote:Joe, it's new enough that it should have a computer in it. Why not take it to the local parts store and let them pull the fault code(s) for you?

All the parts stores testers are OBD II compatible. My Nissan is one year prior to that and their testers will not connect up. Yeah, we tried that when the test engine light came on last year when we were towing the U-Haul trailers.

Joe

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 3:53 pm

Maybe this might help?

http://straighttalkautomotive.com/OBD1/ ... OBD-I.html

PriseDeFer · Post by **PriseDeFer** » Mon Feb 06, 2017 9:54 pm

Get the battery checked, Autozone or the like. It's free. How old is the battery?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Feb 07, 2017 1:00 pm

PriseDeFer wrote:Get the battery checked, Autozone or the like. It's free. How old is the battery?

6 or 7 months. We bought it last year.

Joe

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 4:22 pm

Well, it finally did it again. Lots of cold but not freezing rain, and this morning the Pathfinder would not start.
Same as before, cranked like crazy, tried to start then just wouldn't. This time remembering what you guys said about the dist cap, I got out my tools, pulled the cap and checked the insides.
They didn't look wet, but I wiped all the contacts and the rotor any way then put it back on. In the process I dropped one of the three mounting screws, luckily it went all the way to the ground.
Told wifie to start it and it fired right up ... yayy. Then when I went to put in the last screw I felt the telltale buzz of spark through the dist at the rear plug wire tower.

Confirmed, you guys who said dist cap were dead on.

All that's left now is to get 'er done.

Joe