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Car will not accelerate?

Tiny
JWHITEHEAD1303
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My car starts good but when you press accelerator engine will cut out at around 2300 rpms. I changed the mass air flow sensor, but no improvement was noticed. You can get car to accelerate up to sixty or so but it takes quite a long time. I also checked exhaust and found no problems. It acts like there is an acceleration limiter set to kick in at 2300 RPMs. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 8:58 AM

31 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi jwhitehead1303,

Is the Check Engine Light indicating?
Have you tried to retrieve for trouble codes?
Was any repairs carried out prior to this occurring?
Was the MAF replaced new or used?

This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
JWHITEHEAD1303
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The code indicated Mass Air Flow sensor issue. I replaced with a new sensor, but still show check engine code.
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 11:57 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
What is the trouble code?
Did you test the winings?
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
JWHITEHEAD1303
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am still getting the mass air flow sensor problem code. Is it possible to reset the ECU / ECM my self?
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
A scanner is the best way to reset the code.

Go to Autozone for a free scan and they can reset the codes for you.

I need to know the exact trouble code.
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
BASTARDGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2001 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 245,000 MILES
Hello,

I've been going to my local shop for aprox 2 months now (not a nissan dealership as they charge too much for diagnosis). They have a few ideas as to what they think is wrong with the car, but dont want to fix anything yet just to make sure. My Mech does not want to buy parts that may not even fix the issue.
So. Code read outs are:
engine mis-fire
too lean (bank 1)
Code 24 (we have no idea what this is as the computer saye "see svc manual")
and the TPS sensor

Car symptoms are:
I cant accelerate AT ALL.I have to tap the gas lightly to get to 40km/h. Not even the speed limit on the side roads. The hwy-FORGET IT. The engine bogs when giving it gas. If I floor the pedal---nothing goes to the engine. And the engine doesnot even rev---no RPM change. Also, the engine will sometimes shuddler and violently shake when at 2000rpm while driving slow. One day I thought it was going to explode or drop from my car. Thats how violent the shaking was.

What could this be? How can we test the parts without replaceing them. Cause I dont want to purchase parts I dont need!

Urgently needing help!
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Engine mis-fire
too lean (bank 1)
Code 24 (we have no idea what this is as the computer saye "see svc manual")
and the TPS sensor

Do not replace any parts just yet.
Have your mechanic check your timing. Your timing (in my opinion) is too advance. That is what P024 stands for. It will also cause the engine misfire.

Clean your MAF sensor and intake air temp sensor. Also make sure that you don't have any leak in the vacuum system. Any of these will set off the system too lean condition.

Also have them do fuel pressure test on the fuel rail making sure that you get the right fuel pressure.

Let us know.
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BASTARDGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
They already played around with the timing and cleaned out the sensors. They found a leak in the vacuum and fixed it. They also did a fuel pressure check. Many parts were taken out. Cleaned, and replaced. Nothing changed.
Is there anything else that may need to be checked?
Is it possible that the PCM is fried? How can we tell?
Is there any specific test for the Sentra SE to tell if the computer is fried? Can this be causing all my symptoms?

Sometimes, the car runs better. With more acceleration being able to drive it on the Hwy. Then a few days will pass and it will get soo bad that its not safe to drive period. It varies btn these 2 states.

They are all boggled--I even took it to another mechanic for another opinion. He is also boggled as he chkd the same parts.

I may have a transmission issue, but I'm hoping that the tranny is just acting up due to the poor driving condition of the car. The tranny symptoms keep changing on me. From a slipping gear, to throwing itself into gear hard. For now, its pretty smooth except due to poor acceleration it cant get into gear--it's working like it's confused!

Thank you for your help,
Irene
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
If your PCM is fried, the car would not even run at all. After discussing with other Sentra enthusiasts, we came to the agreement that you need to check your camshaft position sensor. '00 - '01 SR20DE engines are plagued with bad cam sensor. So have that tested.

I don't think you have issues with the transmission. It is probably acting up due the engine mis-performing.
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BASTARDGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for the info.

My car is practically not running. That's why I was going to get the PCM tested tomorrow by Nissan, but I hate taking my car to the dealerships.

I will run that info by my mechanic.
Wouldn't this have shown up on the code read out? How would the cam sensor be tested without having to buy a new one inorder to find out?
Can be that easy that only 1 sensor needs to be taken care of to stop all these issues?

(FYI-both O2 sensores are new-aftermarket- )

I'm extreamly frustrated & exhausted with this issue. I wish I knew more about cars. Then maybe I wouldnt be so flusterd.

I am really thankfull for all your suggestions.
Thanks,
Irene
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
A lot of times, the cam sensor gives out reading. And for as long the reading is within range, PCM sees it as "operating within normal parameter". The problem that most Nissan vehicles experience is that the voltage and resistance of the sensor so fluctuates erratically that the result of the PCM trying to compensate is shown as "gas, no gas, more air, oops, less air, gas, more air, less gas, ." You get the picture. That translates to the car bogging down, won't go faster than certain speed. And as far as the PCM goes, it sees the cam sensor works within its range.

You don't have to buy a new one just yet. You don't even have to pull it out of the bell housing. Just check the voltage of the connector. I am not at home, so I don't have access to the specs. The older SR20DE spec is 5.0 volts on the connector, and the resistance is within 166 to 204 ohms.

If the specs are out of range, you will get codes for cam sensor, usually P0010 through P0025. Wait a minute. You do have P0024. That stands for "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2). I just noticed that. There, you have just diagnosed the problem.
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BASTARDGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
AWESOME!

I will keep my fingers crossed. Going to test the reading on that sensor tomorrow. I really hope that this is it.I cant take the car running this way any longer.

I will keep you posted on the outcome of this.

Irene :)
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKIFIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN SENTRA
I am having a problem diagnosing a my Sentra's problem. When I bought the car I was told that the fuel pump was bad. I checked the pressure and it was only 22 lbs. I was told that it was supposed to be 44 lbs. So I replaced the pump but am still having the same problem.
The engine will run at idle but not rev up without hesitating.
It sounds like it is starving for fuel. I opened up the air box and tried to rev it up but it was doing the same thing, but when I partially block the air from going in it runs smoother and will rev up a little easier. I unplugged the MAS and it ran the same.
Thanks in advance
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BASTARDGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well. Acording to my Mechanic. Everything was already chkd.

I give up on the car.I'm getting another one.
He is flustered with my car. And so am I.

Thanks for ALL the info!
Much appreciated!
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The TPS and MAF data should correspond. Bench test both.
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
I am sorry it didn't work out. I hope you find a better car than what you have now.
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OKCKLIFE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
When I accelerate sometimes it doesn't seem to respond, when i'm hitting about 75-80mph it won't shift all time, and when I stop at a light or something about 15 seconds after I stop the whole car starts to shake and then it stops and does it again about 15-20 seconds later, but the shaking goes away when I start back up. It wasn't doing this until I took it in a few days ago for a tune up. They said they think it might be a leak in the air manifold gasket? Or something like that. Please help with any suggestions.
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,913 POSTS
If it wasn't doing this prior to the tune up, I would have them recheck their work. It sounds like they may have missed something. The shaking sounds like the engine is missing. Has the check engine light come on?
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:41 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KATHYFITZGERALD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 13,800 MILES
I was driving my car it started to sputter and lose power barely made it home going about 15mph then it died wont turnover I added some antifreeze what could it be
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The information provided is not sufficient for us to understand what could be wrong. You need to perform some testings to find out what is wrong. Click the link below for more information.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Friday, August 28th, 2020 AT 9:42 AM (Merged)

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