I had some trouble with this car a while back - didn't feel like searching for the old thread because, while the symptoms are similar, the cause appears to be different.

Car was running great until sometime in June. Then 2 things happened - the power steering pump started dying (wheezing all the time and lurching when turning), then the car started running rough and blowing black smoke. I swapped out the power steering pump and now that's fixed, but it's running so bad I don't know if it's safe to drive, let alone the bad gas mileage it's probably getting.

The previous issue I referred to turned out to be the throttle position sensor. So I swapped that guy out with no change. Since I have a lot of spare parts around, I swapped out the MAF also, no change. Also swapped the distributer cap, but haven't done wires & plugs <yet>. But I'm wondering if this sounds more like an O2 sensor, catalytic converter or something else. Other symptoms: car is getting louder, exhaust is black smoky and seems to be stronger than normal. Also, getting a lot of heat on the shifter (cat?). The hose that returns some of the exhaust back in to the air filter box and through the MAF is loud and smoky.

I'm not opposed to doing plugs & wires or other new parts to rule out possible culprits, where it doesn't make sense to use pulled parts...money has been a bit tight though so I'm trying to work with what I have. If anyone has any ideas as to what I should target first, I'd appreciate it. FYI, I'm not too good at reading the ECU codes (actually, have never tried), but I do have a multimeter and am capable of using that.

As much as I hate to think about it, I'm about ready to ditch all my 2nd Gens. I have an '86, 2 '87's and this '88. The '88 only has 105K miles so I'm trying to keep it going, but I have limited time, no garage, and winter is around the corner. I'll probably be scrapping the '86 soon if anyone needs anything (it's got the 'honeycomb' wheels which are kinda cool) - engine won't run.

 

It's easy to check your ecu. here's a link. You want to do it in mode 3. I just did mine this afternoon in about 10 minutes. It comes out from the front of the passenger seat, 2 screws holding it in.

pull it out, turn the ignition on. turn the screw clockwise all the way. once the lights blink 3 times, immediately turn it back all the way counterclockwise. It will blink the codes.

here's the link

http://www.troublecodes.net/Nissan/pre88nssn.shtml

it shows the codes on the page, and explains them.

 

check your MAF, O2 sensors, and injectors! Sounds like you might wanna pull the plugs and read them!

 

Well, as I mentioned I already swapped the MAF with a used one I don't suspect to be bad but can't be sure, except that when I disconnect the wiring the running behavior changes and won't throttle up ('limp mode'?) so I think it's ok.

Hopefully this weekend I'll have time to check the ECU and maybe get some clues. In the meantime I'll probably get some new plugs. I have an in-line spark tester that I have yet to try out. And I need to try pulling the injector wires one at a time.

Will have to see what I can find out this weekend. Thanks -cz

 

a carbon canister can cause alot of black smoke when it gets full or if its not hooked up right

 

ECU is reading code 12 - MAF.

I'm on my second one here but luckily I have 3 more used ones I can pull, although one of these is in a good running car that needs body work so I hate to pull that one unless I have to. Still better than buying a new one though.

The harness cable for the MAF is a bit boogered up so I'm gonna check that out first, since I thought the MAF I just put in was good.

More to follow....

 

MAF #3 seems to be the ticket. I pulled this one from a 1986 that I am about to scrap. I think it just paid for itself. (Anyone want a set of 'honeycomb' wheels? I'm keeping those, they look cool...but not sure I want to use them myself).

On the other hand the car is still not quite right, seems to be running a bit rough and maybe just needs a tuneup. It's not smoking like it was but I should probably check the carbon canister and a few other things.

Thanks for the help - cz

 

Good to hear you got your car running again. Nice to have parts at your disposal too. Your on the right track so go ahead and give your car a tune-up. It will run better for sure. As others earlier said... look at the spark plugs and the o2 sensor.

I had to change my MAP on my 86se a year ago. Didn't give it a tune-up then but soon had to. Smelled unburned gas in the exhaust so looked at the plugs and o2 sensor. Both were covered with carbon....all black. I should have know better as the car blogged down with exhaust smoke before I changed the MAP. Tuned her up with new spark plugs and o2 sensor. Just had my bi-yearly Smog Test Only and passed.

Question on your 86 Max that your scrapping...are you going to part out any parts? Does it have the 5sp or auto trans? Been looking to get an ecm for my 1986se.

Al

 

Definitely change the plugs and check the wires. Definitely check your timing.

If you don't have a timing light, get one. Checking the timing is simple and only takes a few minutes. Be sure to mark your spot on the crank pulley with a white paint pen, makes it easier.

 

you know i have never used a timing light and i dont have any problems...i was just thinkin about this.
my 87 would run like crap intermittently untill one day it took the distributer out to check and make sure every thing was square and i dropped it...never had any problems untill the day it started it up and it made a horrible knocking noise...well the starter went out but thats not dist related

 

Should I try the "distributor drop" maneuver?

I used to have a timing light (from the days when I had a '65 Mustang and a '69 Chevelle) but it was stolen. I probably should get another one. I have been playing with the timing a bit, 'blind'.

In the meantime I'll have to see if I have enough coin to get a new set of plugs, wires and dist.cap. I keep forgetting to check the cap after dark when I can see if I've got any arc'ing. Had an unnoticable crack a while back that I didn't find until I happened to be looking in the dark.

Gonna try the ~40 mile drive to work in this beast tomorrow or Wednesday.

 

They sell cheap timing lights all over, under $20. Most old timers and farmers have one in their garage too. It doesn't have to be a good one, just one that works.

 

do you want to sell one of your 87 or that 88 for cheap? i got a 87 with 94,000 running strong still but i want another one pm me with the info location and price

 

On the topic of this thread...

I swapped out the MAF, which the ECU said was bad. Car still ran rough.

Started to swap out the distributor cap and noticed I had #4 & #6 wires swapped - DOH!

New cap & rotor with wires in correct spots, car is running great again.

I do need to check the timing, gas mileage is not up to par and it hesitates a bit.

On another topic, I sent my '86 to the scrapyard today. I'm getting the honeycomb wheels back and would sell them if someone is interested.

I can't let either of the '87's go "for cheap" (i.e. less than $1000) with a good conscience. Things are getting tight though so I might change my mind. The '88 is cooking with fire again (and my son just wrecked the Volvo) so I need this for my main transportation.

 

hqgkcwvfrf

 

alright no problem just keep me posted about the car