Hey, my friends bros max is struggling to start. It is hesitating to start then when you give it gas, it starts. He brought the car to me with a starter and asked me to replace it. I did, and it's doing the same thing. I checked for for codes, and my scanner didn't pull anything. The next thing that popped in my head was MAF. I think I remember when I had my max that when the MAF is bad, it doesn't throw any codes.(Correct me if I'm wrong) So what do you guys think it is?

Thanks,

Sean

 

Sounds like he is losing fuel pressure when the car is shut-down.....fuel pump could be on its way out....injector could be leaking off pressure when the car is off also causing plugs to foul out...could be a clogged fuel filter...

 

it could be a clogged fuel filter but... usually if it's the mafs.. the car will idle rough and than start to bog when step on the pedal and try to accelerate.. I had to replace mine twice on my 240sx.. but just to rule it out you should get the mafs from one of your friends running maximas and plug it in to his..

 

MAF throws a code, ive gotten it before. how olds the fuel filter? could be clogged...and could be fuel pump. theres a thing that makes it so the fuel doesnt seek back into the tank and that could be broken. tomorow morning tell him to try turning the key to on(not cranking, just on) then back off 3 or 4 times then start it. if it starts right up then its probably the fuel pump.

(i just got this explained to me today by my teacher about my car lol)

 

Have your friend check the ECTS, clean his throttle body and check the operation of the cold idle boost plunger on the side of the TB.
Tell him to purchase a Haynes shop manual as well.
That will assist him in troubleshooting his car further.

 

I don't know if I have the same problem as you but -----

I have a 97 - sometimes it is hard to start. Changed the fuel filter, air filter, plugs but no change. No codes show on the diagnostic tool.

Regarding the fuel pump - if the engine is cranking would'nt fuel flow to the engine ? So eventually there would be enough fuel to start.

Is there a way to check fuel pressure when the engine is cranking ?

 

yea hook up a pressure gauge and crank....eventually it will start....

 

true, but eventually isnt what you want. eventually means that there is most likely something wrong. the car should start right when you turn the key and not take a more than 1 or 2 seconds.

 

Could a faulty device which prevents the fuel from flowing back to the gas tank cause the engine to crank without starting ?