Car died in extreme cold and wont start now

DESERTMORON

MEMBER
1999 NISSAN SENTRA
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

I started my 99 sentra in -12 weather. It started, I let it run for several minutes, then as soon as I tried to go it died. It's warmer now and it still wont start, it has spark, and the fuel pump works (i even tried spraying starting fluid in it). It did pop and try to start after I cleaned the plugs (maybe 10k on the plugs). The car ran perfect before this so I think something with the cold broke? Suggestions? My code reader displayed 123 then 45E, but I didn't see any listings for that.

6 Replies

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Check the airfilter check for injector pulse this tells you if the injectors are actually opening and closeing to allow fuel to get inside the engine. I would remove the plugs see if they are wet if so replace them again. Let me know how it goes if this don't fix it we will dig a little more thanks billymac

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Saturday, February 5th, 2011 AT 5:58 PM

DESERTMORON

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4 POSTS

I opened the air cleaner housing then had my girlfriend hold the ignition key on while sprayed starting fluid in the air intake. After 20 seconds of this it started, but pooped out. I checked the fuel pressure which pops up to 45 lbs or so when I turn the key, BUT then less than 10 seconds later I hear something click and the pressure immediately drops to 0. Whatever that is most likely is the problem - but I cannot tell what it is that is clicking to kill the fuel pressure.

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Friday, February 11th, 2011 AT 12:48 AM

BACKYARDMECHANIC2

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7 POSTS

Sounds like you may want to check the fuel pump relay.

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Friday, February 11th, 2011 AT 1:42 PM

DESERTMORON

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4 POSTS

Thank you for the reply, but the 'click' sounds like it's coming from somewhere behind or under the aluminum intake runner housing. When it clicks the fuel pressure dropped immediately, not slowly. The relays are all housed in a box on the inner fender. Is there some sort of fuel pressure control valve next to the fuel injection that might be malfunctioning?

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Friday, February 11th, 2011 AT 5:16 PM

DESERTMORON

MEMBER
4 POSTS

After rereading my troubleshooting and looking up a few pics on the web, I think I have it figured out. Everything up to and including the fuel pressure control valve is working so it must be the part that controls the vacuum line to the fuel pressure control valve.
Thanks anyway.