97 Altima won't start

SERCANET

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1997 NISSAN ALTIMA

97 Altima GXE 2.4L ac at pw pl 127K mi.

Wouldn't start a few days ago, even though it turned over normally. After some persuasion, got it started and it ran a bit, then stalled. Several times. Each time was harder to start. Now it won't start at all, but still truns over fine. Changed fuel filter. Checked spark at each cylinder, all good. Spraying starter fluid into air intake had no effect. Power transistor, MAF sensor, EGR sensor all test good electrically. Scanner shows no codes. Distributor was replaced a few thousand miles ago (new cap and rotor), and there is no oil in the optical sensor plate now. Fuel comes out of disconnected fuel line and can hear fuel pump running at key on.

These are just some of the things I've tried. Fuel pump maybe? How come starter fluid didn't make it fire?

Any ideas?

Update: Connected a fuel pressure gauge and it shows almost 50 psi. This is getting aggravating.

7 Replies

FISHERMAN

MECHANIC
937 POSTS

Hello

check for spark disconnect one of the spark plug cable and check it for spark (do it with care)

let us know on your findings.

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Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 7:34 PM

SERCANET

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[quote="fisherman"]

Yep. Never disconnected them from the distributor cap and the other ends are pretty hard to mix up, being all different lengths.[/Quote

Ok replace the spark plugs wires cap and rotor and we start from there.
Did you "mark" the distributor position before advance the timing?[/Quote:8c629f02e3]

There's a reference mark on the head and a V-shaped notch on the distributor body that indicate normal setting. I'll get back when I get the plugs and such changed.

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Thursday, October 11th, 2007 AT 7:10 AM

SERCANET

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[quote="sercanet"]

Yep. Never disconnected them from the distributor cap and the other ends are pretty hard to mix up, being all different lengths.[/Quote

Ok replace the spark plugs wires cap and rotor and we start from there.
Did you "mark" the distributor position before advance the timing?[/Quote:4afefff367]

There's a reference mark on the head and a V-shaped notch on the distributor body that indicate normal setting. I'll get back when I get the plugs and such changed.[/Quote:4afefff367]

Finally got back to it, after being pulled away on other stuff for a few days, and asked my daughter (it's her car) when she bought gas last. Answer: the night before it wouldn't start. So I siphoned as much of the gas as I could and put in five gallons of fresh gas and a bottle of Gumout injector cleaner. It seems to run fine now, but the Air Bag light on the dash is flashing now. What's up with that? If it isn't one thing it's another.

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Sunday, October 14th, 2007 AT 2:49 PM