2004 Nissan Altima Trouble starting

CJ87

MEMBER
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA
145,000 MILES

My car is giving me trouble starting just about every other time I get in it. Sometimes it starts right up and other times it just keeps turning over. I just changed the crankshaft sensor and its still doing it. When it gives me this problem I can smell gas and I don't know if its the car flooding or If I have a gas leak somewhere. When this happens and I finally get the car to crank it's like the whole car starts hopping like it would be missing something but after a minute it begins to idle right and once I get it on the road it's like nothing was ever wrong with it. So basically it's just missing something when I crank it. Please help I'm tired of fighting with it!

1 Reply

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

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.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.