1998 Nissan Altima Engine shuts off

ANDREAE

MEMBER
1998 NISSAN ALTIMA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
11,000 MILES

I have a 98 Nissan Altima and the mechanics can't find the problem. The car keeps shutting off on me randomly while I'm driving fast or slow or idling - it just shuts off without warning - only a slight clicking noise can be heard. It doesn't spit or sputter but sometimes won't start - dry cranks but no spark until second or third try. I've had tons of things checked and replaced and am very frustrated. They can't find anything wrong but in the mean time I'm stuck with an unreliable car. It doesn't seem to shut off if I give it gas but other than that there's no real rhyme or reason. It's not the computer - that's new, o2 sensors also new. Any suggestions?

2 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi andreae,

If you hear a clicking noise, then it most probably is a relay cutting off. Check for a faulty main relay or loose wire connections.

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Monday, June 9th, 2008 AT 9:51 AM

MIROM2

MEMBER
15 POSTS

Not sure if its the exact issue but give it a try man, could have saved you a few bucks it its the fix.
Try this, get some starting fluid, spray above filter in airbox, if it starts like normal and then stalls again they you definitely have the below issues, it affects altimas from 93 to 2002.
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