chad_e0

HELP!!! I went to leave for work this morning, and my car won't start. It just cranks over, but does not fire. I have had a simular problem before. When this happened before I thought it had to do with weather conditions. Symptoms are the same, but normally only happened when it was raining out. Of course, I was always able to get it running before. If anyone has any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions, it would be appreciated.


Thanks!

Chad

JoshDonelson

Chad,
I had a similar problem with my '87...it was one of the ignition coils...it has 2 youll just need to figure out which one...
-Josh

chad_e0

Josh,

Thanks for responding... I had done some diagnosing, and discovered that there was no spark. I contacted checker auto parts store to get a new coil. The neglected to tell me the coil came in two pieces. They only gave me the main coil, and did not suggest replacing the "power module". I found the power module in the chilton's manual. I contacted checker to get the part. The did not have it in stock, and it was fairly expensive. I contacted a local Nissan dealer that I trust, and they told me that they only sell the part as one unit. As it turns out, they said that normally if the coil goes out, it ruins the power module. I purchased the coil assembly from Nissan for $121, it was well worth the money... The car is running good now!

Thanks again!

Chad

87maximasefreak

hopefully ill get a respond to this im having trouble with starting my maxima its a 87 and the piece i got was just the black coil itself and not the metal bracket called the transistor where everything plugs into so if i change that will i get spakr because i already changed the cap rotar wires and plugs hopefully it works write back tom

chad_e0

Tom,

It sounds like you had the same issue I did. I purchased the new coil from an auto parts store. I would contact your local Nissan Dealer, when they sell you the coil, it includes the power module. From what I understand, nine times out of ten, it is actually the power module that goes. I returned the coil I purchased from the auto parts store, and went to the Nissan dealer. The car started right up after that. I hope that works for you! My maxima is gone, the transmission when bye, bye!

Chad

dml000

Hey chad this is tom thanks for the quick feedback im only 16 and dieing to get this car started read my story about the car its on this page its called 87 nissan maxima no one replied to it ok thanks tom and i already have the black coil not the transistor.

chad_e0

Tom,

I also had to change the timing belt in my maxima. As we pulled the old belt off, the cam shafts spunn around. We ended up having to get a manual to reposition the cam shafts. The marks on the timing belt
have to line up with the marks on the sprockets. Did you replace the timing belt tensioner?

Chad

dml000

no all i replaced was the belt and thats it and we think it was set up right and im going to go buy that transister piece and hopefully after all this time i hear my baby start

dml000

how much does it cost????

chad_e0

The manual was around $17, the Tensioner was around $40. The tensioner was actually what went out. The bearings had seized up and the car started making this squealing noise. The whole coil unit from Nissan will run around $120, it was well worth the money. When I bought the first coil for $40 from Big Wheel Rossi, they did not know anything about the power module or transistor. I called them to find out if they could get one, they would have had to order it. Plus, the over all cost would have been more than just buying it from the dealer. I had to explain to them what it was, they had to call me back to tell me if they could even get it.

Feel free to e-mail me directly if you want.

Chad

dml000

why did you read my story about the car?? do you think i should replace the tensioner i already have the manual i just wanted to know the ignition coil price but thanx so how is your car???and what do you think about mine is it fixable it has 184,000

dml000

what state are you in??

chad_e0

I did read your story about the car. It kind of sounds like the engine was seized, did you find out why? I would recommend replacing the tensioner, Nissan usually recommends replacing that, the thermostat, water pump, and the temp. sending unit. Since the car has 184,000 it is possible that the tensioner is not that old. I did not replace the water pump because it looked new. The problem is if the water pump goes, it will ruin the tensioner and could cause major problems. I think the car can be fixed, they can be somewhat tempermental, but they are great cars! I always enjoyed driving mine. I know there are a lot of Maxima's out there with well over 200,000 on them. Mine only had 164,000 then the transmission went out. I decided not to fix it, we donated it. The car did run great, so I really debated about fixing it. Some days I really miss it.

dml000

the timing belt didnt snap it just was missing teeth so the engine might be fine and if it runs ill change everything so how is this car on acceleration and my power steering is shot how much will it cost to fix

chad_e0

The car was ok on acceleration, I think the 87 had slightly more
horse power than the 85. Mine had 160hp, with and automatic. The
cost to replace the powerstearing will very. Do you know if it is just the pump, or if the powerstearing rack went out. The rack started leaking in mine, a new one would have cost over 1000, and then about 800 to install. I contacted the local Goodyear shop and they were going to find a used one for me. It stopped leaking so I did not have to replace it.

dml000

hey what car do you have now you wouldn't have a 87 coil transistor around would ya ??

dml000

and i dont know what is wrong with the steering i have no clue which one

87maximasefreak

its tommy chad write back

chad_e0

Hey Tom! Sorry I did not get back to you sooner. I am usually on line durring the day, I have to have something to do at work! LOL!
I now drive a 92 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Unfortunatley I do not have any parts for the maxima, the only thing I have is a repair manual. Not sure why I kept that. Oh, by the way, I live in MN.

87maximasefreak

o i live in rhode island little state lol damn you went from good nissan to ford geez

chad_e0

I know!!!! It is kind of funny though, the Explorer has more miles on it than the Maxima did. It has 174000!!! It has been a good car, and we have not had the problems that others have had. We also have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the H.O. V8... I would much rather drive that, than the explorer.

87maximasefreak

i hear yah i hope when i get the ignition coil she starts then i can get her going from sitten for about a year or more now

chad_e0

Good luck! I hope it starts right up for you! When I replaced mine, it was great to hear it fire up! I always liked the sound of that engine. Let me know if it gets running.