I have a 98 SE Automatic with 45K miles and it doesn't want to start up anymore without cranking it over several times. I took it to the Nissan dealer and they said the computer isn't throwing any codes so they cleaned the throttle body and claimed they were getting it started but it still has the same problem. Now, what I didn't tell them (because of extended warranty). The Max was starting perfectly until one day I was working on a way to insert a chirp(horn) when i lock the doors with my remote. I unplugged the connector that inserts into the relay(that makes the rear lights flash) in the trunk. I checked each wire for voltage...found some 12 volt sources but couldn't quite figure out which of the wires was pulsing to make the lights flash. I was trying to figure out which wires where actually shorted to ground so I switched my multimeter to continuity check and was probing around --- that's when it happened. I must have shorted something I shouldn't have because when I plugged everything back up...I noticed that the unlock portion of my remote still worked but the locking part didn't(no flashing lights)...I was worried...I tried to crank up the Max and it wouldn't start on the first try so I gave it a little gas and it finally caught and ran fine. I ran some errands and when I got back, I tried to lock the car and now the remote worked again(lights flashed)....but the car has never cranked up on the first try since then...I checked all of the fuses...Does anyone know any reason why or what I could have done to keep the car from wanting to start like it used to? The dealership seems to be suggesting that they are going to try changing the plugs next, but I know that won't help...if it is some module that is blown..then why won't the computer show a code? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Bobby

 

I tried doing this on my 95 GXE and had to spend $721 at the dealer, they just couldn't figure out what the problem was and i didn't want to tell them.All my lights were on eventhough i removed the key from the car.they finally found a short under the battery and since then things have been fine.Personally i think messing with electrical stuff is bad.You might suggest them to check your ignition coils.You are lucky as your car is still under warranty.

take care and good luck,
Jay

 

I had a problem like that, but I didn't try to **** with the wiring.
It turned out to be the starter and was replaced under warranty.

 

The thing you were looking for, that makes the lights flash in the trunk.... When did this happend... was your car up hill? downhill? and did you keep your key in the ECC positon?

 

push that garbage off a cliff now buy a fifth gen.

 

I had the same problem as u did in my '98 SE, + I had a SES light on for quite some time so I took it one day to fix that & to see why it takes forever to start, turns out the vent control valve caused the hard starting. After that, my SE has always started on the 1st try! so to all who check thier own codes, if a vent control valve code comes up, fix it ASAP!! Otherwise it'll screw up your starting.

 

Geez, somebody must hate the 4th gens. =P Not all of us are fortunate to be able to purchase a newer Max. At least I do not have any payments to worry about. Pink slip is all mine baby.

 

Thanks for all the replies...Thanks Wht98SE for the suggestion..I'll have to get the dealer to check the vent control valve(the dealer got no codes though)...I30dude - I know that the relay in the trunk makes the lights flash twice, I just don't know which wire...by the way...I didn't have the key in and I was parked flat...I still think I messed up something electrical in the fuel system...that's the only thing that explains the sudden problem right after I checked continuity in the alarm/electrical system.

 

Take you long to think that one up genius?

Check all the fuses?
Check the ones under the hood in front of the battery.

 

Thanks, I haven't checked the fuses under the hood, I'll give that a try.