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Engine cranking but not starting?

Tiny
OKEHAMPTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,000 MILES
I stopped the engine for two minutes and the engine will not start but will crank over. Since this occurred the
Heater plug light on the dash does not light up when ignition is turned on even when cold.I have checked
All the fuses but can find nothing wrong.
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Monday, November 16th, 2015 AT 6:16 AM

21 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Monday, November 16th, 2015 AT 6:29 AM
Tiny
EDDIEVDM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I got a 2003 diesel xtrail and I changed the engine but I started outside the car once it is in the car doesnot start what could be the problem the new engine is a 2005 model
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 4:28 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You need to start a new question of your own please. This one belongs to someone else.
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
DAVE SOANE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
Hi,

My car turns over fine, and you can hear it trying to catch, but there's just not enough. I can smell the petrol, so I don't think that's the issue.

Anyway, I pulled things apart, and to cut a long story short, I established that all the coils on top of the plugs are working. However, only one coil is firing. I traced the wiring back to the computer, and it checks out okay. I've pulled the computer out and opened it up (I am basically qualified in electronics), but I can't see anything obviously wrong.

A mechanic told me that there's a good chance it's the cam or crank sensors, and that's quite possible, since I've already had to replace one of each. In one case, very recently.

So my question is, is it possible that the sensors would cause one cylinder to fire, but not the rest? The one firing is number 1 (I think) - it's the right-most, looking from the front of the car.

Or else is it more likely that an output transistor, or whatever drives the ignition signal to the coils, has gone faulty? If so, is there any way that I could find and replace it?

Dave.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

It is possible that the crankshaft position sensor is causing issues. Did you check if there is spark at the plugs or did you only check for power at the coils?

Please understand this vehicle isn't offered in the US, so I have no technical info on it. However, take a look through this link that describes what a crank sensor does:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works

Here is a link that explains common symptoms of a bad one:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Here is a link that explains how, in general, one is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Let me know if that mirrors what you are experiencing or if you have other questions. Also, if you are getting a signal to each coil at the PCM, confirm there isn't a ground related issue.

Joe
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE SOANE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I found the problem! And it was the sensors! But, I fixed it by swapping them!
Whether that means only one of them is really necessary, or whether it means that they have different pickup characteristics, and the environment is different for cam and crank sensors, and they now match their environments, I'm not sure.

So those of you with Nissan's, add this option to your arsenal of things to try!

Thanks to Joe and anyone else who took an interest.

Dave.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi Dave,

I'm glad to hear you got it taken care of. I'm sure your post will benefit others. Take care and feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Joe
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLOODCRY659
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 189,995,427 MILES
Recently replaced the timing chains and tensioners as well as both the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors. The car gets fuel and has the necessary compression. Drove it two days ago and left it overnight. Wanted to start it today and it wouldn't. Checked the spark and there is none. What can it be? I'm at my wits end with this car.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the crankshaft sensor has gone out which will not set a code. Here is the location so you can change it out. Here is the test procedure but it does not always tell if the sensor is bad, BTW. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLOODCRY659
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Replaced that sensor and still does it. Had ECU checked as well, all good. I don't understand.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Have you checked the fuses? Here is a guide to help and the fuse locations:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Lets run the codes to see what comes up. here is a guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Check out the diagrams (below). Please run this test and get back to us.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 179,368 MILES
This car switches on ignition and displays everything well but can not start, fuel relay does not get ground from ECM. And it burns the coils, found these codes ;p0605, p1320, u1001.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Which engine do you have?
Are you able to crank?
Is the security indicator light blinking in dash?

P0605 - Engine Control Module. A fault originating from the ECM.

P1320 - is not listed in the DTC list but generic information indicates it is from the Ignition Control Module meaning it is related to P605.

U1001 - CAN Communication Line. Would be triggerred when ECM cannot communicate with other control modules.

Ensure the immobilizer system is not locked.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KALIWANDA HK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
Nissan X-Trail - The car overheated and the cylinder head gasket was changed, after a day or so the vehecle lost power and switched off and could not start again, but after an hour the vehicle started with alot of missfiring which cleread after a few minutes. What is happening now is that at times it would start nomally, other times it not start at all.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Scan for a faulty crank shaft sensor, if this is a bad code, check crank shaft end float, as these engines have a known problem of destroying crankshaft thrust bearings causing the crank to move a few mm and causing the tone ring to miss the sensor which will not give a crank angle reading.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KALIWANDA HK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Where are the sensors located?
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
On the front engine cover, I have no pic, but first check crank end float.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2001 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 96,000 MILES
My car over heat following a radiator lickage. The engine stoped running immediatetly before I could shitch it off, and it fails to start since then. It shows sighns of cranking when turning the egnition key on start but the fuel fails to go to the engine for the car to finary run/start. What could be the problem in this case? What componets could have damaged as a result of over engine over heating? My car is an automatic one.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
From overheating, you may have damaged the head gaskets and water is in the cylinder not allowing the motor to start.

Have a leak down test done to confirm.

Why was the radiator replaced? Was it leaking after the repair?

Roy
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BHARAT SHAH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN X-TRAIL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
Car was overheated, changed the radiator, and engine gaskets, but now the car is not starting, ignition is OK but not starting
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 11:22 AM (Merged)

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