I have a 2002 that I am having trouble with...

It is hard to start, but once it starts, it runs fine. I took it on a road trip and it ran fine 300 miles 5 hours. I have diagnosed it to the following symptoms:
1. Hard to start when cold
2. Hard to start when it sits more that 3-4 minutes after beign run
3. Will start immediately after being shut off, but if I wait more that 3-4 minutes, it will be hard to start.
4. No SES light, but was reading P1800 at one time.

ANy ideas at this point will be appreciated.

JB

 

It could be all sorts of things. You're best bet is to try to make a checklist for diagnosis and eliminate possibilities one at a time. Do you have the FSM link?

My internet prognosis with no other information is a faulty fuel pressure regulator.

 

I don't know the cause but for clarity sake- does starter turns the engine with normal speed and it just not firing up or the starter turns the engine noticeably slower? 'Hard to start' is too vague, sorry.

Assuming starter turns the engine normally - when the car is cold can you turn the key to ON, wait for fuel pump to build up pressure (there will be buzzing sound which eventually stops after few seconds) and then turn the key to START? This test is supposed to check if the problem is caused by lost fuel pressure.

 

I have in my mind there is a fuel pressure issue. How hard is the fuel pressure regulator to find/change?

Starter operates normally, no lagging, it takes 5-7 secnds to get the car to fire over after it has sat a while. If I get it running turn it off and hit the key immediately, no more than1-3 seconds before firing over.

Thanks,
JB

 

How hard is the fuel pressure regulator to find/change? Could it be related to a vacuum problem?

NOTE: I recently changed the fuel pump, strainer and filter at the gas tank (last week). Not sure that was the problem, but it does run better...?

Thanks,
JB

 

Before you start changing parts, could you please do the 'fuel pressure' test as it doesn't involve much:

 

I did this when I went out this morning. I hear the fuel pump run for maybe 2 seconds and then it stops. Problem still persists. It turns over for at least 7-8 seconds...once it catches, it seems to take anohter 5 seconds to fully fire over and then it smooths out with no noticable problems even in stop an go traffic. If I turn it off once it smooths out and hit the key immediately, it fires over with no problems, the issue only shows up once the car sits for more than 3-5 minutes and longer. Could the VIAS Control Solenoid attribute to the problem.

 

Looks like it's getting fuel. I don't think VIAS is relevant.

Could you pull the error codes?

Can you also depress slightly gas pedal when it's cold and try to start? IIRC, it's throttle-by-wire but still it might obey. IMO, your problem is relevant to throttle control but I don't know how to check that. There's a procedure to re- learn idle air volume which you may try, shouldn't hurt.

 

I tried to press the gas...pump the gas, nothing seems to work. I am going to try something else this AM. Someone told me to cycle the key on and off three or four times and see if this helps. His diagnosis is that the check valve at the fuel pump may be faulty. I just replaced the OEM pump last week, and put an AIRTECH pump on. I hear AIRTECH pumps have had numerous problems. I will likely take it back off and put on a new one. I am going to look into the re-learn sequence.

Any ideas where I can find the re-learn sequence for the airflow??

OBTW---No error codes have shown up since I cleared them. Previous codes were P1800, P0340. I replace both Cam Sensors, and codes have not returned.

Thanks,
JB

 

right here: http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-5-5-gens.html

please note that timing is very critical, you have to follow it precisely.

 

OK....I found out that I am in fact losing fuel pressure when the car sits for more than 5 minutes. I went out this afternoon and unplugged the fuel line from the tank assy. Nothing, not even a drop. I put on a new fuel pump, and I am having the same problem. Could a vacuum leak be the source of my woes??

I have held off on the re-learn sequence until I am certain that I have the adequate fuel pressure, unless you think that I am losing pressure due to the need for the re-learn sequence...as I stated before, the car runs like new once it starts running.

 

Have you physically checked that FPR yet? Also, I believe there is a vacuum check valve you can inspect as well.

 

I have not tested the FPR. I am the epitome of shade tree mechanic, and the jury is still out on the mechanic side. I pick things up pretty quick, but it involves a bit more show and tell. If someone can show me where to test the fuel pressure on my 2002 Max with a picture or pictures, that would be great.

I will ask one question...the only thing that changed from the time it worked/ran properly to now is that I removed the intake to change plugs and valve cover gaskets. I did not replace the intake gasket. Could this be a source or the source of my woes? Would a leaky intake gasket show up if I do a smoke test on the vacuum system?

Thanks to all for the advice...JB

 

it might be the crank poition sensor if its that it might be a recall look it up

 

Will the Crank Position Sensor cause the fuel pump to lose pressure when the key is off?