gryps

I'm having problems starting my car. It happens both when engine is cold and hot although its starts much better when its cold. It cranks fine but it just won't turnover. There is black smoke coming out of the exaust when the car is being cranked. It has 106k on it. I just bought the car a month ago so i don't know much about the car history exept it had a clutch replaced @ about 100k.

Things I've checked/replaced:
Replaced Spark Plugs
Replaced Fuel Filter
Checked ECU Codes (only get the knock sensor ghost code)
Checked coolant Temp/air Temp Sensor (per Hayes Manual)
Cleaned the crankshaft position sensor (the one by the flywheel)
Checked connections on the front crankshaft sensor
Checked connections on the camshaft sensor

Can anyone suggest what to look @ next? I need to figure this out before i fry my starter.

Thanks Gryps

96blblstickmax

i had same problem like it before, nissan dealer replaced the knock sensor, my car runs fine for about 15k miles. but now the same problem comes back again! i am gonna take it to auto shop next week, i will let you know what went wrong with my car.

Pappa Grande

Probably your starter.

gryps

The starter cranks strong so i doubt its the culprit.

I'd really appreciate any info stickmax.

Is there any way to bypass the knock sensor so i can test if this will solve my starting prob?

MDeezy

iTrader: (27)

trust me its, your Starter, I had the same issues, it would take soo long to finally turn over, some smoke comes out of the tail when it finally gets going.

I dont think I've heard of anyone not being able to start due to bad KS, bad gas milage, and reduce performance is a different story.

But you'll need to replace your KS anyway, so yo could test it out. Change you KS, and see if that fixes your start up problem.

GodFather

iTrader: (10)

dude, check you throttle body position sensor. if it is rusted, it'll trip the starting sequence alot.

gryps

I also doubt its the KS. I'd really like to pinpoint the problem cause replacing every sensor/part that could be causing the problem will cost a lot of $$$.

How do i check the TPS?

GodFather

iTrader: (10)

look at the throttle body from the engine firewall side, you'll see a triangular-oval shape of cover screwed on the side of the throttle body. that's the cover. you can unscrew to take out the cover and look at the tps as you mess with the butterfly plate. some rusted tps will not move when the throttle door is opened at small increments. when that happes, your engine starts tripping like you said. but if you open the throttle door alot, the sensor unit would turn, too. basically, if you have a rusted tps, change it right away. it won't cost you more than 30 bucks. but if it's not the problem, i'd go with replacing the knock sensor...

Pappa Grande

Rule out your starter also. Doesn't matter if it cranks. The bendix gear in the starter could be spinning, but not engaging the fly wheel. After 106 miles on a 1996, your due for a new starter. I have 244k on my 1995 and I just replaced the starter for the second time.

nissan_man

What is it with the starters in the 4th Gen max's. The 95's were garbage, and redesigned one's with the 10 tooth instead of the 8 tooth aren't anything to rave about either. Is there a brand, ex. BOSH, that is better than what Nissan has to offer? Or should we just plan on buying new starters every 60,000 miles? How hard is it do design a starter that can last. Own an 89 Honda Civic with 305,000 miles on it -- and it still has the original starter!

gryps

How hard is it to replace the starter and what i should expect to pay for one?

Abimax95

iTrader: (1)

Hey gryps i had the same problem and i replace the starter and it was better but that is not the problem check you coils i bet one of them is bad ..buy a chilton manual and do the procedure on how to check the resistance on the coils !!!!

gryps

Coil packs. The list of possible causes is growing.

How would the drivability be affected if there is defective coil pack?

Abimax95

iTrader: (1)

I had the same problem sometimes it will start and some time it will not I tested everything posible until I check the coil pack and one of them was bad ...I replace it and smooth ever since ...it takes a couplr of minutes to check them ..is easier than buying things you don't need ..

gold4thgen

hey i have the same problem but when i leave the a/c fan on the car cranks but wont start, i recently got it and dont know much about nissans.

S15 SR20DET

it could be,
1. knock sensor
2. need to clean ur throttle body
3. need new starter

guido32

Guys, don't know if this problem is related, but when I start my car, it starts up normal, but as soon as the engine fires up, I here this clunk or grinding sound. It started a couple days ago and I haven't been able to figure it out. It starts and runs fine, but that noise when it first fires up worries me. Any ideas? Thanks

Blue96Max

its ur injecters i had that problem also, does it rev high and then cuts sometimes? Spray some GUMOUT Charb+ Choke Cleaner in your intake man...