Hi everybody,
I'm brand new to the board, as I just bought a 93SE from a friend who just scored a 2000 Maxima.
So far I'm loving it but it does have a quirky problem at startup.
I've been digging through the forum and I'm starting to think it might
be related to the stock security system, as I have difficulty
unlocking the door & that seems to be how the security is disabled.

I've only been driving the car for about a month and 3 times now it's failed to start.
It turns over just fine, cranking with authority, so it doesn't seem like the battery.
That leaves either spark or fuel.
Different posts seem to imply that the security system has the ability to disable the fuel pump and/or the starter.
The car is cranking over, so the starter is engaging.

Can anyone verify exactly what the security system disables?

Thanks for the help,

Steve

 

Well, it's done it 2 more times.

The first time it started, but was sputtering & hesitating to the point that it kept stalling.
I've read those symtoms in several archived threads and they generally point to the fuel pump.
Strangely enough I had just been messing with the switch in the trunk that enables/disables the trunk release switch on the door.
I went back and disabled the trunk release switch (which is how it was originally) & the car ran perfect.

It still seems like the security system shutting down the fuel pump.

It wouldn't start again this morning.
I didn't have too much time to mess with it at 4:45AM when I leave for work.
I did play with the trunk switch, tried locking & unlocking the car with both the drivers and passengers doors. Tried setting the security system with the power lock switch inside the car & with the key from the outside of the car.
Nothing made a difference. It cranks over very strongly but will not even try to catch.
Other threads I've read mention being able to hear the fuel pump engage when you start the car. Another mentioned "priming" the system.

Should I be hearing the fuel pump when I turn the key, but before I click it over to Start?
I didn't hear anything this morning....

So far it's been starting again by the time I get home to check it out (or by the time the tow truck gets there) so I haven't been able to verify spark or fuel as the definitive cause of this problem.

Does the security system disable the coils too?

I've got a couple days off so I'm counting on it not starting at some point. I'll be able to play with it then.....

 

that SUCKS!!!!

the same thing happen to me about a year ago...my problem was the factory alarm was going CRAZY...it is located below or under the steering colume... and all u gotta do is just disconnect the harness from the factory alarm unit and hopefully that will solve ur problem... good luck

 

I'm pretty sure (99%) that the factory alarm disables the starter and not the fuel. Sounds like your pump may be on the way out. I usually don't hear it unless my drivers door is open when I'm turning the key on; it's fairly quiet. Have you checked the fuel filter? Good luck!

 

Well I finally verified that I have spark.
I bought a set a plugs, as I wanted to replace them anyway, and the new plug I plugged into the coil
for cylinder 2 lit right up when I turned the car over. I put all the plugs in anyway.

A couple quick shots of starting fluid in the intake and the car started right up.
It died right out of course but not I know for sure that my problem is fuel delivery related.

I replaced the fuel filter, as GreenMaxVE suggested.
While I had the fuel line off I cranked the engine over and no fuel squirted out of the line
so I know that the fuel pump isn't pushing fuel.

I still don't know for sure that it's not the stock security system disabling the fuel pump
although I unplugged the harness to the theft system box under the dash & that didn't help.
I tried pulling the fuse from the fuse box too but no difference there either.

At this point it is starting for a few seconds, then sputters and dies.
From all the posts I've read here that sounds like classic fuel pump failure in a Maxima.

I got the trusty Hanes manual & I'm going to see how much of a job this is.
It's pretty cold here in Massachusetts right now so the thought of crawling around under my "new" car is
extremely disappointing. I may have to break down & have it towed to a shop to have the fuel pump replaced.

Any thoughts on if that's something a local garage can be trusted with, or is Nissan a better bet?

 

For anybody still reading...

I spoke with a local Nissan dealer.
They claim that the stock security system disables the starter and ignition but not the fuel pump.
They want $315.00 for the pump & o-ring (to reseal the fuel tank)
and $210.00 to drop the tank, replace the pump and put it all back together.

Anybody else had this done by a dealer?
Is that a reasonable price?
Any input into trusting a local garage instead of the dealer?

 

If you are mechanically inclined you could just do it yourself. You don't need to drop the tank. You just have to remove the lower part of the rear seat, pop open an access panel, disconnect the old pump and install the new one. You can try searching for "fuel pump replacement." I'm sure someone has done a writeup about it. Try not to make any sparks when the pump is removed, that would be bad.

 

I remember reading something about an access panel in an old thread.
Funny how the dealer didn't mention it might be that easy.
Now if only it wasn't 15 degrees out....

You're not kidding!!!

 

Stupid suggestion... Check your starter.

 

Go to the group deals forum, you can get the pump and install kit for under $100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If it was the starter, the motor wouldn't be turning over.

 

Well the saga has come to an end so I thought I'd post the results.
Right up front I want to say thank you to all the people who helped out. Even those who's old posts helped.
This is a great forum with some invaluable information.
And now, the sob story...

The problem was the fuel pump.

I pulled out the back seat & removed the fuel pump trap door, wrapped on it a few times and the car started for a few minutes then died.
Unfortunately it's just been too cold here to do anything about it myself. I've been driving my other car (an '86 Chevy Van) while I waited for the cold snap to end but alas, my decision was pushed up.
This morning the van overheated on the ride to work at 4:45AM (did I mention that it was 6 degrees out?). I turned it around and almost made it home but the old Chevy 305 made a large bang and stopped dead.
After kicking out $45.00 to have the dead van towed home I had no choice but to devote all my attention (and wallet) to the Max.

I had to have it towed to the dealer for $105.00.
Instead of an inexpensive Walbro replacement pump ($100.00) I had to buy the pump from the dealer for $285.00 (Ouch!). The only good part is that I had the back seat out already & the trap door removed so instead of the 2 hours the dealer quoted me (at $70.00/hr = $140.00)
they did it in just over an hour, only $80.00. Various other parts brought the repair bill to about $400.00
So now I've got the Max back on the road for right around $500.00 and a van that will probably never run again.
Just to top it off, the dealer told me the starter is on it's way out too...



Sorry for the sob story.
Thanks again,

Steve