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2003 Nissan Sentra turns over but will not start

Tiny
ANONYMOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 165,000 MILES
2003 Nissan Sentra turns over but will not start. It has no spark at the plugs. Replaced Crankshaft sensor with no change. Used old Crankshaft sensor to replace Camshaft sensor (same part) with no change. All fuses look good. Can hear fuel pump when starting. No engine codes that I can see. The engine was very clean when I received the car.

The lady I am helping (owner of car) informed me it all began with her engine overheating. She said someone took a look at it and kept it for 3 weeks. This person was only able to work on it off and on. He took the head off and checked it out. I understand everything looked ok. There was no answer for why it overheated. She got the car back and it ran fine for a week. Then it began to hesitate on acceleration. The engine would die at times but she was able to restart and go. Then it just got to the point where it could no longer be started.

I am just a shade-tree mechanic looking to help the poor girl out. Do you have any thoughts on next steps?

Thanks, Jim
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Thursday, November 15th, 2012 AT 3:59 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Lets check a couple of things ok. If you would unplug the mass air flow unit and see if it will start. Do you have a digital voltage ohm meter? I would like to run a couple of test ok. If you would check the computer harness and make sure it is plugged in tight. Get back to me and we will go from there ok.
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Thursday, November 15th, 2012 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
JWALLYCARS
  • MEMBER
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I disconnected the connector from the mass air flow unit (at air intake near filter) and attempted to start the engine but no go. I do have a digital voltage ohm meter. In order to check the computer harness of which I believe you are referring to the ECM module I will need to remove the glove box as from what I can see the ECM module is located behind the glove box yes?
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Thursday, November 15th, 2012 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
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Have you tried starting fluid yet? Try spraying some in the intake. Does it try to start? It's no you definitely have a spark problem. If yes then your problem is in the fuel system.
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Friday, November 16th, 2012 AT 2:44 AM
Tiny
JWALLYCARS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Is it an ok thing to spray starter fluid in the air intake? Looks like a long path for fluid to move down an indirect path to reach the cylinders. Does not seem that method would work as well as an engine with a carburator. I do know it is getting gas as I connected a pressure guage to the fuel rail input and there is fuel pressure there (I was unsure of the actual readings being correct however because they varied from high to low and it did not hold steady after turning the key to on). I did disconnect the fuel line at the rail and turned the ignition to on and it did pump gas into a container.
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Friday, November 16th, 2012 AT 6:15 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
It is safe this car does not have a carburetor. It runs off fuel injectors this is an easy way for you to check if you the injectors and fuel pump are working if it tries to start. The problem is the fuel pump or the injectors. And if it doesn't try to start the problem is in the electrical or in the engine.
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Friday, November 16th, 2012 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
JWALLYCARS
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Hi - I did try the starting fluid but it is still no go. Did not even try to start. Turns over but that is it. So it does sound electrical for sure. Any idea on next step?
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Friday, November 16th, 2012 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
In the rear of the motor that long round tubular piece is the intake. You loosed the clamp and pulled the hose off. Then sprayed the starting fluid and the hole. Then put the hose back on leaving the clamp loose. Then you tried to start the car and my right.
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Saturday, November 17th, 2012 AT 12:03 AM
Tiny
JWALLYCARS
  • MEMBER
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Yep - I had to remove the intake hose running between the air filter and the intake manifold. There was a valve I needed to open. When I opened the valve I sprayed in the starter fluid. Then I quickly put it loosely back together and went through the starting routine with no success. I cannot spray the started fluid in when attempting to start as the valve closes.
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Saturday, November 17th, 2012 AT 4:35 AM
Tiny
VONDUHN80
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Thats weird. My guy put anew cam sensor in it and my little Nissan is running like new. $120
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Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018 AT 6:33 PM

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