Starting issue

MARCOS310

MEMBER
2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
3.0L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
234,000 MILES

It starts once fine and runs great. Once I turn off the car it wont start again right away it will take like twenty to thirty minutes just to turn it back on and that's a maybe, because the battery runs out. I have changed the spark plugs, the cam and crank sensors, timing chain, flex plate, and also has a rebuilt transmission. I do not know what else the problem can be. There is no check engine light on and nothing pops out in the scanners.

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Honestly, that is a typical description of a bad crankshaft position sensor. However, you replaced it. Take a look at this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Next, take a look through this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

With that in mind, what I need you to do is check for spark and fuel to the engine when it refuses to start. One will most likely be missing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Now, if you have a live data scanner, see if there is an RPM signal when cranking the engine in a no start condition. If there isn't, most likely you aren't getting a signal from the crankshaft.

I attached pictures which show fuel pump testing specific to your vehicle.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM

MARCOS310

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4 POSTS

Thanks for the tips and images Joe. The spark has already been checked and it's fine. The fuel pump is fine.

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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 7:48 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Welcome back:
If you have spark and fuel, it should run. Have you checked for an injector pulse?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Do me a favor, see if it will start for a couple seconds if you use starting fluid.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 8:47 PM

MARCOS310

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4 POSTS

The car runs, it's just the fact that of I turn it off once I have it on and running, it will take me a while to turn it back on.

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Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 AT 8:49 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Okay, when it won't start, try the starting fluid trick. If it starts for a couple seconds, the problem is fuel related. If it doesn't start with starting fluid, it is ignition related. Once we know which component to focus on, we can dig in. Keep in mind, the car runs so there isn't a compression or timing issue. That only leaves fuel or spark. You may have pressure within the specs, but if the injectors don't get a pulse, it won't run. Lets focus on which is causing the issue, fuel or ignition.

Let me know.

Joe