Car won't start!

Tiny
PHXONFIRE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA
Engine Mechanical problem 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 100000 miles

We have a 1994 Nissan Altima, 100K milles. We went on to a 2-week vacation, and when we are back, the car will not start. We can hear the crank just like normal but the engine just will not start as it used to. The "Check Engine" light is on. We tried the jump start but it did not work. Engine oil seems at the normal level. All power stuff is still working. Even air conditioner works greatly. Here is a little background introduction. We live in Phoenix, AZ, which means the temperature is burning hot. And the car is parked at an uncovered parking lot. What I would like to find out is what may be the problem, and how we can fix it if it is fixable. Thank you so much!
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 4:43 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi phxonfire,

You need to find out if there are sparks at the plugs and if fuel pressure is okay.

Here is a guide that will help you

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

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
MIROM2
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
See my post below, sound like the issues, but try this first, get some starting fluid and open airbox and spay a few spays into it, and see if car starts and then dies after a few seconds, if so read on and good lucj,
Hi, I have had a similar issue, took the car to a shop they replaced a bunch of parts that they said were definitely bad, but thats another story, they gave me a BS story each time they replaced something, and I am talking a reputible shop in town here, not some joe shmo, found the issue myself after doing some thinking, if you cannot start car, have someone else turn key for you and you listen from backseat with the larger half of the seat folded forward, the fuel pump is right below where the velcro connects the trunk carpet right below there, but to get to it back seat comes out, along with the round pressed metal surround under the plastic pieces there along with them. Anyways listen for the fuel pump as the other person turns key, you cant do this test yourself. If you hear nothing, its most likely it, try a few times, then get out and rock the car back and forth a couple times from side to side, at this point the wire which is half broken inside may align itself, try listening again, if you are able to start car, then get the sending unit or fuel pump harness kit, forget which it was, but the wire that is bad is the one that connects to top of the fuel tank seal and the other side to the fuel pump. I hope this saves a lot of headaches for everyone, and I can't believe that nissan doesnt even have this documented. Definite design flw, basically what happens is while driving the sending unit along with fuel pump are suspended by 2 fuel lines and this wire harness, and it, just like any piece of metal eventually partially breaks when folded back and forth a thousand times.I dont believe you can buy the cable itself, it comes as a part of the kit or sending unit, one connector is flat, other square with rounded corners, I believe around 80$ bucks at nissan dealer only. Good luck, let me know how it works out.
-Miro
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Monday, July 7th, 2008 AT 10:19 PM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Nice post miro, if that is not the case, I would check the mass airflow sensor and engine coolant temp sensor
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Monday, July 7th, 2008 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
MIROM2
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Thanks legitimate007, I have found this issue tom be common on altimas from 93-ish until 2002, took 9 years to figure it out over there at nissan, but no recalls, do you realize how many cars are affected by this design flaw, I may write my pals at nissan a letter, I do like their cars, but I have a friend who works in service at nissan dealer near here, and he said its not even mentioned in known isues for techs, but they just replace the whole fuel pump unit all harnesses and 20 other things and somewhere along the way probnlem was fixed, but still no solution. I guess im just a bit frustrated about it. Anyways good luck, with the fix, oh and legitimate, is there any way you can get this fix to be added to your list of try this when someon with altima has these issues, really would help, lets get some feedback first.
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Monday, July 7th, 2008 AT 10:44 PM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Im sure this wont be a prob. Miro, I bring it up to the other guys and see what I can do, but yes lets get some feedback first, and I'll check mitchell1 and see if there is even a technical service bulletin
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Monday, July 7th, 2008 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
MIROM2
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Thanks, I think the reply should start coming in, I think ive posted this fix on about 15 posts that describe this exact issue and im confident that the darn wire is the fault. By the way great forum you have here
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Monday, July 7th, 2008 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,702 POSTS
Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, July 11th, 2017 AT 3:17 PM

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