1988 Nissan Sentra No Spark

1988 NISSAN SENTRA
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TENNILLEDAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1988 Nissan Sentra , 98,000 miles. Has no spark to spark plugs. Replaced coil, power transistor, distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires. Crank Angle Sensor (distributor) checks out ok. But, when I tried to check for bad codes on the E.C.M. computer, there were no led lights showing at all. Checked ECCS fuse, fusible link, all ok. Replacing the ECM is expensive, how do I know if it is really not working at all? Nissan was no help at all. Thanks.
Jan 23, 2006 at 10:25 AM
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FISHERMAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 937 POSTS
I used to have the same problem with a jetta (VW)
I found another car exactly the same and ask the owner to let me tried the ECM on his car...
Didn`t work!
I had to replace it!

Tried that way!

I remember when I was looking for a place to test my ECM.... It was a nightmare!

Hope it helps!

Manuel. :)
Jan 24, 2006 at 12:48 AM
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GREASEMUNKE
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  • 35 POSTS
Did you check your igniton control module.Cheaper then a ECM.
Jan 29, 2006 at 5:30 PM
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DAEMON240SX
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
if it has a distributor it probably dont have an ICM
probably just a single coil to up the spark voltage. if you got any junkyards by you see if they have a ecu like yours and ask if they will let you try one of them out before you buy it.
Jan 30, 2006 at 1:50 PM
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BEDDIEB64
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  • 5 POSTS
I have the same problem with my 1988 Sentra. I have a distributor and a module. I replaced the module and the coil and nothing.
Jan 1, 2022 at 8:28 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sorry for the delay, when these older questions are updated, it doesn't list it as a new question, so it doesn't get immediate attention. Sorry about that.

If you have replaced the distributor, module, and coil then we need to check a couple more items. There is an inhibitor relay that will cause this issue.

However, the way we are going to have to find this is to take the wiring diagrams below and work backwards through the system tracking voltage until we find it. I assume you have no voltage from the distributor to the power transistor and then continue backwards. You will see the coil and transistor on page one and then pick it up on page two in the lower left corner.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let's run through this and let me know what you find. Thanks
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Jan 4, 2022 at 6:58 AM
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Suggested Repair

After the coil, power transistor/module, and distributor have been replaced, check the inhibitor relay and trace voltage backward through the ignition wiring from the distributor and power transistor to the coil and related circuits to find the missing voltage.

Conversation Summary

A 1988 Nissan Sentra with about 98,000 miles has no spark despite replacement of the coil, power transistor, distributor cap, rotor, plugs, and wires. The crank angle sensor checked out, fuses and the fusible link were good, and the ECM showed no diagnostic lights. Replies suggested trying a known-good ECM or junkyard ECU and checking the ignition control module, but another owner reported the same no-spark issue after replacing the module and coil. The expert advised checking the inhibitor relay and using the wiring diagrams to trace voltage backward through the system until the fault is found.

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