Cranks will not start

Tiny
RBWALLACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 NISSAN SENTRA
Changed the distributor cap and rotor, changed the spark plugs and wires, fuses are fine, battery is fine. Car turns over but will not start.
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 AT 10:27 PM

51 Replies

Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
There is an ECCS relay that powers the computer that sounds like it is not working. Here is a guide and the location of the relay so you can test it and go from here:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
RBWALLACE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You nailed it the relay was wet once. I replaced it it started right up. ;) Cost me $32.00 for the relay. I love this site.
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 AT 10:56 PM
Tiny
BACK YARD MECH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 NISSAN SENTRA
Four cylinder front wheel drive automatic.

My car will not start, ran fine the day before, now just turns over, occasionally it will sound like it is about to fire.

I have checked the following:
Timing belt, it is fine, distributor rotor spins
Spark, fat blue spark when plug is grounded.
Fuel filter, with fuel hose off, gas stream is strong and shoots about six inches into the air.
Injectors, plugs are wet and smell like gas.
Distributor, cap and rotor are in good shape, no cracks or burnt spots, posts are clean.
Fuses, checked and metered all engine/ignition fuses, all good
Electrical connections, all checked and firmly seated in thier sockets

Do not know what else to check. Ideas?
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge and then come back with the readings. This is where we start.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BACK YARD MECH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Fuel pressure is 3.5 pounds.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BACK YARD MECH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Let me clarify my last response.
Fuel pressure is 3.5 pounds measured down stream of the fuel filter and before the injector rail.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Your fuel pressure is way too low it is suppose to be 34-43psi. Test the fuel pressure regulator. If okay replace the fuel pump.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TINAHEINLE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 195,000 MILES
The car will not start. I have jumped it and it wants to start, gets right to the point of starting, but does not.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
So when you jump it the engine turns over but will not start? You need to test it for spark and fuel pressure. Get back to me.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TINAHEINLE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
We got the car started by stepping on the gas all the way while jumping it. We let it run awhile, took it for a drive, but when we got back and turned it off, it would not start again.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Check the spark, should be blue and strong, not orange and weak.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SENTRA101
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 143,000 MILES
The car is a GXE, when I went in the morning to start the car it started up and I moved it forward in my driveway, later I went out to start the car and it started and turned off right away. Since this every time I try to start the car it will not start. I have replaced the fuel filter and distributor cap and rotor. All spark plug wires are giving spark. The fuel pump is working because I can hear it when I get under the car. When you go to start the car and press down on the gas it sounds like it is about to start but it will not. I do not smell fuel in the engine compartment after trying to start the car for a few minutes. Any help would be great!
Thanks
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The fuel pump might not be producing pressure. Check it with a fuel pressure gauge then comeback with the readings.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MEGHATRON14
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 NISSAN SENTRA
I have a manual 200SX 115,000 miles.
I went to start it and it did not do anything but make a odd faint noise. The noise was similar to when someone forgets gets their car is running and tries to start it, only it was not loud at all and lasted for maybe only a second. It did not make any noises like it was trying to turn over or anything. My CD player light flickers on and then off. I tried it again and nothing. No noise, no clicking, no power to anything in the car at all. I had just driven it maybe an hour before. I did not leave any lights or anything on. I was not having any problems that I think would have anything at all to do with this. My friends complained about the exhaust smell. The engine has been a little bit louder then normal for a while now. I just figured it's because it is an old car and I need to have my exhaust system worked on soon.

I bought it in 2002. I have replaced the following:
Fly wheel 2002.
Battery 2003.
O2 censor sensor 2004.
Battery again in 2005.
Alternator January 2007.
**I have never replaced the starter**

My brother normally does all the light work on my car. (Brake pads, battery, broken motor on whippers)
He replaced the battery both times. Each time they were covered in battery acid and crusty. He said I need new conections to my battery.

I checked under the hood, the battery does not look acid covered. I glanced at the connectors, they appeared to be hooked up and the did not wiggle. I do not know if that means much.

I really appreciate any advice anyone has. I will keep repairing this car until the day gasoline cars are illegal and then I will retire it to the hall of fame. A.K.A my garage. :) :) Thanks!
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
You say your are getting no power or very little so I would check the battery and cables and clean them and see. Also try jumping it and seeing if it tries to start right up.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MEGHATRON14
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have to wait until tomorrow for my brother to come check my car out and it is annoying me. If this is my battery or even the alternator why does it keep happening? I know that replacing a battery or alternator that often is not normal. Is there something that is being looked over that keeps causing this to happen? Why does the positive, negative, and cables get so much build up on them is that normal?
Some random guy parked near me said it is my starter this time. If it was would my lights and everything come on when I try to start it? Did not make sense to me.

While being annoyed without a car I did the following:

Tried to start it last night. It mad a click noise and was beeping cause my key was in it. The lights would not come on nothing. The it would not even beep for my keys being in it.
Went outside an saw my headlights on brake lights on. I guess I did not turn the switch off before. Windows and locks would not work. Tried to start it made a "crunch" noise I guess and nothing. All the lights and everything went out. Then it would not even click when I tried to start it.
Today I had my friend jump it. Waited about ten minutes. When I tried it it made that light "crunch" noise and all of the warning lights came on like it would when starting but then they went off. No power to anything. Left jumpers on a little longer tried one final time and it did nothing no noise no clunk no click no beeping when I put the key in. I know I need to clean the battery and check the connections. My brother will do that tomorrow. Also, when we jumped it he said that normally when you hook the car that will not start up it normally will spark when you hook up the negative or something and it did not.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELAINAMARIE66
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
When I start the car I hear a clicking. Replaced the starter and that did not work.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be the starter relay, clutch switch/park and neutral switch/transmission position switch and ignition switch assuming the battery condition and connections are good.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROSSRALPH53
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 16,000 MILES
Car just stopped while driving, lights and everything still works.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM (Merged)

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