1993 Nissan 300ZX car randomly won't start

KUKIMA1359

MEMBER
1993 NISSAN 300ZX
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

We have had this car for only a few months, and for the second time it won't start. It will sound like it is going to start and turns over once, then won't start. It turns over, but won't start. If you leave it for a while (so far over an hour) it will start, and not have the problem again for weeks. Any ideas?

5 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

We first need to find out what is missing on start up. Spark, fuel pressure, or both. This will help us narrow down the problem. Without this info, we are just guessing, and guessing can get expensive for you. Things you can check are fuel filter, when the last tune up was done, etc. Please advise.

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 AT 1:47 PM

KUKIMA1359

MEMBER
5 POSTS

How do I check the fuel filter? Just pull it out and look? Have no idea the last tune-up as we bought the car used, and have only had it a couple of months. How do I check the fuel pressure?
I appreciate your help.

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 AT 2:49 PM

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

You check the filter by blowing through it in the same direction the fuel flows. It should blow through fairly easily. Being careful not to get a mouthful of gas. To test the fuel pressure, you need an adapter with a guage that fits between the fuel regulator and the fuel rail. You will also want to check for injector pulse with an "incandescent" test light, or an analog volt meter.

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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 AT 5:33 PM

KUKIMA1359

MEMBER
5 POSTS

HI there,
Ok, we replaced the fuel filter, and it is getting gas, and we replaced the spark plugs, and all are getting spark, but the car still will not start. Could it be the coolant temp sensor? I don't know, we are at a loss.
Any help is appreciated. By the way this is a 1995 200 SX, not a 93 300ZX
Thanks

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Monday, December 8th, 2008 AT 1:00 PM

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

OK, If you have fuel to the fuel rail, and spark at the plugs, the next step is pulse at the fuel injectors. You can do this with a test light at an injector connector. As you crank the engine the light will blink as the ECM fires the injector circuit. One terminal should be constant hot to ground with the key on. The ECM grounds the other terminal to pulse the injector. Let me know what you find.