Transponder key/running

RLAWVERJR

MEMBER
1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER
3.3L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
213,000 MILES

Bought truck with no keys so I had a roadside locksmith come out and make me a key. He made a plain key with no chips. Truck started and ran for like thirty minutes but seemed like it was only firing on three - four cylinders. Popped hood checked connections, oils, battery juice, belt tension, distributor cap, wires and wire seating, second turn of the key was about eight to ten seconds and it started up only with me fluttering the throttle and shut off. Third attempt until now only turns over and will not start. Disconnected fuel line and tested- 40+, air filter- good, tested spark-bad at coil under cap-replaced-entire distributor, spark plugs and wires. Spark retested-good, checked and tested fuses and relays. Still no start and no codes. Security light only flashes with key out. Key in, light goes out and stays out until removed-normal. Before replacing crank sensor I need to rule out a transponder key so I called a locale Nissan dealership and as soon as I said 1998 they confidently said no. "They did not put transponder keys or security systems in the 1998 or below Pathfinders only 1999 and up". So, I pulled up Google and call a few other locksmith services I get mixed answers about definitely no to some may have in 1998. My question is, does this seem like a key problem or something else?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

Interestingly, the manual says no, but then provides the following:

3. Canceling The Set Theft Warning System
When the following 1) or 2) operation is performed, the armed phase is canceled.
1. Unlock the doors with the key or multi-remote controller.
2. Open the glass hatch with the key. When the glass hatch is closed after opening the glass hatch with the key, the system returns to the armed phase.

Try one of the above and see if it changes anything. However, since it ran for 30 minutes prior to the issue, I have a feeling this has nothing to do with the problem. As far as the fuel pressure, it is right where it should be. You said that spark is now good since you replaced the parts, so that eliminates the crank sensor being bad.

Now, if the fuel pressure is good and the spark is good, the next check is the injectors. If the injectors aren't getting a signal, the fuel can't enter the engine. Here is a link that shows how to check the injectors:

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

Also, see if the engine will start for a couple seconds using starting fluid.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,
Joe

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Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018 AT 7:27 PM

RLAWVERJR

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for the response and input Jacobandnickolas. First I disabled the anti theft system with your instructions, I also had the locksmith that cut my key scheduled to stop by this morning and connect his obd security tool, to just check. He verified the security system was good and disarmed. Second removed intake and whatever was in my way, tested all six injectors with diode. I did the following with all injectors with same results- diode connected to pigtail, key on - diode light out. Diode connected, turning key for start- diode blinks as expected. Pulled all injectors, connected 12 volts and pushed air through, then gravity fed gas and it sprays as expected. Before I removed intake, with everything installed, key on- data stream shows fuel system open and stft and ltft - 0%(stft and ltft shows 0% when trying to start also). Sorry I did not mention starting fluid in first post but had already tried that. I even used propane all around the engine with a helper turning the engine over, nothing changed. Now today I went back and rechecked everything I already checked hoping I overlooked something. Tomorrow I will do compression test (just to mark that off the list), remove distributor and redo the ignition timing (just in case I goofed). Before I put intake and other components back on do you suggest anything more or different or junk it?

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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 7:05 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi again:

If there is spark, the fuel pressure is good, and the injectors are working, either it does not have enough compression, the timing is off, or you have a really weak spark. Make sure the spark is a blue hot snapping spark and not orange or white in color.

Let me know.

Joe

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