1990 Nissan 240SX Intermittent starting

DREWPY21

MEMBER
1990 NISSAN 240SX
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
250,000 MILES

My nissan pickup starts every time the first time. But when I shut it down it won't start again it just turns over but wont fire. I have fuel pressure and spark. Also sometimes if I wait awhile or turn the ignition on and off several times in a row it will start.

7 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi drewpy21,

Thank you for the donation.

When engine could not be started, did you test if sparks or fuel were present? Since problem is intermittent and happens after driving, something could be missing after heating up.

The next time it happens, recheck if spark or fuel is missing.
Does engine run with any issues?

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Sunday, September 13th, 2009 AT 7:59 AM

DREWPY21

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5 POSTS

I tried it this morning it statred right up. I immediately shut it off and tried to start it again. It turns over fine but will not start. I have 42 psi of fuel pressure and I have spark. What do I try next. Also when the engine starts it runs fine.

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Sunday, September 13th, 2009 AT 1:15 PM

DREWPY21

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I just hooked my timing light up and noticed there is pauses or skips in the spark. It would appear that spark is inconsistant. Is there some sort of pick up in the distributer or is it just the coil, or something different?

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Sunday, September 13th, 2009 AT 2:38 PM

DREWPY21

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I have now replaced the crank sensor and plugs and I still have same problem only spark seems to have leveled out. Could it be the ignition module?

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Sunday, September 13th, 2009 AT 9:35 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

There are many possible causes for the non starting and here are some diagnostic procedures.

WILL NOT START

NO COMBUSTION ( cranks without any fifing)
Monitor vehicle's tachometer while cranking engine (at least 250 RPM).
2. Check fuel pump operation.
3. Perform appropriate INJECTOR MALFUNCTION diagnostic.
4. Connect inductive timing light to spark plug wire and check for weakness in flash.
5. Ensure spark plug wires are within allowable resistance values.
6. Check for spark using spark tester.
7. For Code 11: Enter self -diagnostic Mode III and retrieve codes. If vehicle will not start, crank engine before entering self -diagnostic Mode III.

Ensure spark plug wires are within allowable resistance values.
For Starter Signal: Enter self -diagnostic Mode IV and perform appropriate switch tests.
For Coolant Temp & Crank Angle Sensor: Enter self -diagnostic Mode III and retrieve
codes. If vehicle will not start, crank engine before entering self -diagnostic Mode III.

If Equipped: Perform AIR REGULATOR diagnostic