Having trouble starting (runs fine once it starts). Looks like a fuel problem and low fuel pressure. Suspect the fuel Pump Control Module but cannot find out any info on this module (i.e. diagrams etc). This module controls the high/low pressure. Question is how to absolutely determine if it is the module.....Nissan can't do this.

Thanks

 

Seems like many 4th Gen owners are having starting issues. I'm having the same problem you describe. The car cranks fine but will not fire up without multiple attempts, but runs fine after it starts up. I also am emitting alot of black smoke so i'm guessing it has something to do with fuel. Its at the Nissan dealership as we speak and they still cannot find the problem. Hopefully they can soon, its been 3 days since its been there....

 

check the service bulletins for hard starting. if you think its fuel pressure, they recommend a temporary pressure guage install in the fuel line between the filter and manifold. you can find out if your pressure is in the right range and you can also tell if you've got a leaky injector.
my hard start was a loose connection at the crank position sensor on the tranny bell housing so be sure to check your sensors too.

 

Well after having my car at Nissan for 4 days, they still cannot figure out the problem. . They've gone through many tests and checks and cannot figure out the problem. They are now to their last idea. They want to change out the ECU which they think may pose the problem. I told them I would do this on my own since they charge redicuosly for a new ECU. So i'm lost on my situation. I don't know where to go from here now.....

Andy

 

MAN... so many threads containing hard starting.. what is up.. i'm in the same problem... tryint to regrease my starter tonite...

What kind of grease should i use?

 

ive had this problem with my car for like 3 weeks already. it usually starts when its cold though, but if it doesnt start, it doesnt matter how many times to turn the key, it just doesnt work.

PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

no one knows, please post if anyone has any updates at all.

I WILL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP AT ALL

 

I was plagued with hard starting for like three months. I posted a couple of threads about it as well. I replaced my starter with an aftermarket one and about a month later it started acting up. Starting slow, kinda kicking over then not. Stuff like that. But once it started it ran perfect.

Took it to the dealer. They first said it was the starter. Becuase it was not Nissan OEM. Then they thought maybe it was the ground from the starter. Then battery, then maybe the temp. sensor. After two days in the shop we had tried and tested everythng but the starter itself. Finally said F it change it out. It was the starter. According to them, non- OEM starters do not do well in our cars. For whatever reason. So if you have one that might be it. Oh like $400 bucks btw for the new OEM one. Car is fine now.

 

Just as an FYI folks:

I replaced my starter last year with an OEM rebuilt from Courtesy Parts last summer... but 6 months later, I get a slight squeal every time I start the car - dried grease already.. so much for the quality of OEM rebuilt. The more important point here is that my 96 GLE still turns over for 2-3 seconds before it catches... I do not have to try to start it several times, but when I do turn the key to start its not like -whirr-whirr-start, its more like -whirr-whirr-whirr-whirr-whirr-whirr-start... and its been like that since the day I bought the car (used with 40k on it)...

Since that time I have replaced the starter, ECTS, cleaned the TB, IACV, changed air filter, fuel filter - and it still behaves exactly the same. I thought it might be a leaky injector, so I tried the trick of turning the key to just before the start position and letting the car sit for 10 seconds hoping to build up fuel pressure and then turning to start - but it still does the same thing... so I dunno what the heck it is... but I've learned to live with it...

My buddies 97 fires up as soon as the key is turned to the start position... so I know not all 4th gens do this... it might be the injectors, but I am definitely not swapping out all the injectors for a minor quirk like this.

 

I have the same symptoms... whir-whir-whir-whir-whir-whir-START. Once it's running, the car is perfect, no lack-of-fuel symptoms or anything. The basic 3 elements need to be there for the engine to start: Fuel, spark and compression. I know that the compression is good, and the starter seems to have a lot of power and cranks smoothly.... so there must be some kind of fuel or spark problem.

Any theories? I'm going to check all of my grounds, and possibly add a grounding kit. As for fuel, I'll have to install a pressure gauge to check it out. If it's low pressure, is an in-line fuel pump an option?

belosic

 

Well guys, after having my car at the Dealership for 4 days, still they could not find the problem. They do however since testing and checking virtually everything they could think of during that time, came up with the ECU maybe the problem. But of course they didn't have a spare ecu and i didn't want to shell out $800 for a new one since I spent over $600 on new injectors and labor, which i didn't need. So this is my last option left, I don't know what else to test besides the ECU. I'll let you guys know when i do test it. I am getting a code on my current ECU. Its the boost control valve, something along those lines, but it doesn't have anything to do with the starting, something about recirculating air? etc..

 

I'm having the same problem in my 97. Sometimes it will start perfectly fine, and other times it will crank and crank and crank and finally start. I was told by someone it could be a coolant temp sensor. It really gets annoying having to sit there for so long and wait for it to start. Sigh.

 

My '98 did the same thing this morning, it was cranking like the battery was nearly dead, 1st try would crank and try to turn over, then it would just quit, 2nd time I applied light pressure to the gas pedal and try to start it, the gas pedal seemed to help it start then I had the tach b/w 1.5 and 2K rpms for no more than 3 - 5 seconds, after that the car ran normally

is this a problem w/ everyone's max on cold starts or when the car is warmed up as well?

'98 owners speak up if you're also experiencing the same problems

 

hey guys. looks like a bunch of us are having the same trouble. i am getting soo frustrated with my car lately. i just replaced the starter *brand new bosch* , then i bought a new battery for the new starter. it worked perfect the first couple days and then .. blah.. the same ol stuff.. so my question is what else could it be?? im having the same symptoms.. the cranking then the no start.. and i have to keep on doing this a couple times till i finally get a good start... ive read some of the other threads and this is what i came up with??

1.) electrical part of the starter??
2.) spark plugs need to be replaced??
3.) alternator not working properly and needs to be replaced??

so any help would be greatley appreciated!!

or if you have any questions about my experience.. feel free to ask.

 

Well, I just read the TSB for the hard starting issue that many of us are experiencing, looks like this is for '95 & '96 models

does this TSB also apply to the '98 models?

 

I had the same problem 2-3 years ago. After searching this forum, I found several people with repeated success in cleaning the throttle body - there was a valve in the air intake line. It had a carbon or black build-up on the edges. A little degreaser, toothbrush, and a few mins to complete the job. Took a few cranks and then it fired. Within 5 mins was running smooth. FYI - About 8 months prior to the throttle body cleaning, I replaced the starter with a "Checker brand" and had no problems.

 

I had similar issues -- changed the starter, and problem solved!!!

Why does everyone think that the ECU or Injectors or fuel pressure is the issue? If they were wonky, why wouldnt the car run perfectly otherwise? I mean, a bad ECU is a bad ECU -- starting or running.

That said, XTREMERACER -- I wouldn't change the ECU...it's the stealership taking your money -- they're all F'N CROOKS!!!!!!!!!!

what bothers me is that a dealer can say "change your ECU" and if it doesn't fix the problem, you have no recourse -- which is

if I had needed my TV fixed, and the guy works on it for two hours and it's still broken -- I DON'T have to pay that guy...but for a car...

/rant
FLO_BOY

 

If the car fails to turn over or doesn't respond to the key being turned to the start position - then it maybe a bad starter... but for those of us whose starters are turning over the engine consistently and quickly, it is not the starter... the engine is just not "catching"... the starter's role is to turn the engine over... all the other factors, like spark, fuel, air need to be coordinated with the starter for the car to actually start...

There has to be some other problem - either with fuel pressure or air delivery... I don't think its a spark-plug issue, since mine has been doing this since I got the car and never changed even after I put in new NGK plats at 60k.

 

I removed all my ground wires, sanded them and reinstalled with dielectric grease. I also fabricated a "grounding kit" consisting of a few wires going from the terminal to the intake to the TB to the strut tower... My idle seems to be smoother and the car fires up in 3-4 cranks of the starter. it's only been 2 days, so the 6-7 crank start may come back, but right now the car seems a little better.

I'll post pics of the grounding system later, if anyone is interested.

belosic

 

i used to have this problem as well....turned out my starter, coolant temp sensor, and 2 front 02 sensors were shot. after alot of $$$$ spent, car starts and runs great!

 

my 99 max does it to and i thought it was the fuel pump but i dont know so someone help us

 

I did exactly what you did replacing the starter with a bosch starter, mine was from pep boys. After a couple of weeks I was having problems again. The same thing you described. Cranking but not starting etc. and then finally kicking over. Sometimes it was alot harder then others. With no rhyme or reason to it. Well I replced the Bosch with a Nissan OEM and that was it. After trying everytrhing else my dealer said he would replace the starter with an OEM and if that did NOT resolve it then he would put back in my bosch starter and would not charge me. So see if the will do that for you. After installing the OEM starter I was perfect.

 

Same problem here with hard starts. Where can I get a fuel pressure gauge to check my pressure? I am pretty sure that is my problem and have suspected it since the very beginning.

 

I've already ordered an ECU, but not from the stealership. But if that doesn't work, ill definitely have a talk with them about why i had to buy injectors when that didn't make the situation better but worse. Also everywhere says the starter is fine. I don't know if I should change it out anyways to see if that is the problem because i'm running out of options.

Andy