99_a32

i have a 99 maxima es (its my daily). i went to drive it today and it wants to start but it just wont. first thing that came to my mind was a timing belt but i searched and found out it uses a timing chain instead. it almost starts but it just wont!!! i would turn it over to check for spark and whatnot but i dont want to bend the valves if it is the timing chain.

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

Could also be a faulty fuel pump. Dead Crank/Camshaft Position sensors.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

as said, see if youre getting fuel. and as said, could be a crank or cam sensor

all the times ive see a timing chain jump from the tensioner frigging up or whatnot, the car runs like crap. like it'll barely hold idle and sputter and spit, not just plain not start. its also rare that a chain breaks

check it for spark first, if you have spark, hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see what youre getting

99_a32

fuel pump turns on, could it still be faulty? where would i find the cam/crankshaft sensors?

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

http://www.nissanpartsasap.com/nissa...ointVehid=9591

That's the illustration for the Cam/Crank Position sensors.

Camshaft Position Sensor sits on the top. [23731M]

There's 2 crank position sensors, which sit on the bottom. [23731T & 23731TA]

Any CEL by any chance?

99_a32

the check engine light has been on since i got it, was going to get it checked out but i kept procrastinating and now it doesnt run haha. going to see if i can borrow the code reader so i can scan it.

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

Best bet is to get the codes.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

fuel pump could still be giving pressure, but not enough

best to get the codes read first though, that'll probably tell you whats up

2brosgixxer

You can check the codes yourself with no scanner needed. See my sig for the link to the 4th gen section..in there, there is a section for what to do if cel is on. There is a step by step there on how to get your codes by turning the screw on the ecu. Edit...here is the direct link http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ere-first.html

JNCoRacer

iTrader: (6)

He said its a 99. Possible NATS issue?

Trini Boom

iTrader: (5)

Negligence on your part sir... was the light flashing at any point in time?

asand1

iTrader: (1)

This. Is the security light staying lit solid?

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

FIRST and FOREMOST, when you're cranking the car, is the little red SECURITY light ON?

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

forgot to mention NATS. Well I don't know anything about that.

99_a32

that was the first thing i checked im not sure if this is a load of **** or not but apparently in order to use the code reader the engine has to be warm. im 99.99% sure this is false, can anyone verify?

99_a32

well to be specific, it was the service engine soon light which im pretty sure is the same thing, and it just stayed on, never flashed

tosheto

iTrader: (5)

Your engine does not need to be warn at all. Go to autozone or check the codes yourself the way it was posted above. Why would you want to start fixing things and/or buying parts without even checking the codes on your ECU

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

highly doubt the timing chain would jump, it is a possibility but extremely rare.

99_a32

ok, so i go the codes 9 long pauses 2 short, 3 long 4 short, 3 long 2 short. knock sensor, EGR System Hi/Low Flow and a rear heater o2 sensor.

99_a32

sorry about the double post. would any of these problems cause the car not to start.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

Knock sensor and REAR o2 would not affect starting. High EGR flow might.
EGR (Exhause Gas Recirculation) passes exhaust gasses back into the intake manifold at cruising speeds to lower combustion temps. Engines dont idle or pull good on inert gasses.

Low flow would not affect starting either.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

you need to search "no start" and study. Most common causes are NATS, IGN switch, and poor grounding. crank and cam sensors are common too.

99_a32

ive already ruled out nats, and the ign switch. wouldnt the crank and cam sensors throw a code? my maxima has 314xxx km

asand1

iTrader: (1)

How have you ruled them out?

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

Yes, ECU would throw those codes.

99_a32

my security light stays off when the key is turned on, and ive had the ignition switch problem for awhile now, if it was the ignition switch the car wouldnt turn over.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

Bad ignition switches do cause a no start condition exactly like this. Myself and others have experienced it.
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ape-trick.html

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...lock-woes.html



Sometimes it can be solved with some tape, other times it is the result of burned contacts in the switch. Remove the switch and try to start it with a screwdriver.

99_a32

so did your car turn over and almost start but just wouldnt go that extra little bit?

99_a32

so i tryed to start it today and when it almost started i stepped on the gas and it runs!!! it puffed alot of white and smelled really rich. now it starts every time and doesnt puff white anymore.

* any idea what it could have been?

maxinout93

I just solved my weird starting problem, sumtimes it would start and other times i would turn the key and get a scraping noise like the car is already started. I changed starters, and ignition switches, and fuses and relays but still got the same noise at every other startup. I finially changed the crankposition sensor near the transmission, the old one had so much metal shavings on it, so i swapped it out, and the car has started right up ever since, no more scraping noise! Wow!