saig

98SE intermittent start. Won't start when it is < 20F. Start and idle fine when it is around 30F. Won't restart after it is turned off. Engine keeps turning and turning and no start. What should I look for?

vqmaxman

Does the car warm up to normal temps than the car cuts off and it won't start up again. If the car cools down back to cold and the car starts up fine but not when it's at normal temps. The problem you wanna check with is the ECTS. Engine coolant temp sensor.

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

MAF and/or IAT.

saig

I shut down the car after letting the engine running for 15-30 minutes thinking it was good enough. Then retried to restart, it kept cranking and failed. Frustrated, I quit and went inside.

When it refused to start, I did live view with OBDII tool, the ECTS reported 16F with outside temperature in the 20F with 10F windchill. I think it was pretty closed.

saig

I remember DennisMik's suggestion in some threads, pulling the MAF plug off while trying to start. It did not help.

IAT: The EC FSM says this device is for troubleshooting only and its value does not affect or determine the ECM ignition. But I'll pay attention to it the next try.

Thanks!

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

If you have the funds, I strongly suggest/urge that you replace both.

... been there done that ...

I'd be happy to elaborate, but as a 19 year owner-operator, I'm thinking your issue has been addressed.

saig

CourtesyNissan, MAF is listed $487 (ouch), compatible in Maxima 96-99. IAT is NA. I'll plan to hit the JY at my local area. Their price list is low, $1-$6 per fuse/sensor (I am surprised, I can be wrong). At that rate, I'll pull couples, hope I can get a usable one. This weekend is warm 40F, good weather for working on car or hit the JY;

Thanks!

saig

remove double post

Turbobink

iTrader: (2)

A new MAF (with an acceptable reliability record) can be purchased at AutoZone for about $160.00.

A new OE IAT (intake air temperature sensor) can be purchased from www.nissanpartsdeal.com for about $26.00 ... I just bought one about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

vqmaxman

The Maf sensor not only will let you not start the car easily but won't let you rev past 2500rpms. The Maf shouldn't act up in the cold weather as it would act up in the hot summer weather. I had this happened to me the car would try to start and when it's started the car in the direct heat with a/c on the car just stumble or hesitate with a little missfire. I replaced the Maf it's fixed no more of the problems. The iat sensor just measures air for the Maf and the tps to configure the air fuel ratio when the cars running.

saig

Today, the car started after initial difficult start. The engine seemed rough at first (probably due to extra unburnt fuel from the previous attempts), however, after 5 minutes, the engine was running smooth and quiet. We drove around in inner city streets, then after 30 minutes of driving we decided to hit freeway. Three adults, total 500lb, the car pulled strong and effortless merging the traffic at 70 mph. During this time, we hooked up OBDII and monitored its live parameters. ECTS number seem normal 201F, but the IAT is not. During driving, the IAT registered 57F (outside is 40F), pretty close. However, when we exited and stopped with engine running, it registered 120F. We drove home, parked and turned off. Then tried to restart, engine failed to start. Touched around the IAT, the engine started ok. Looking further around the sensor, we found the IAT socket loose. Perhaps, it may let the engine heat made its way into the air tube. Will look into this next. Cross my finger to be the case of hard start when warm up.

saig

The price is reasonable. We'll try the IAT first, and go from there.

Thanks!