very weak spark will not start

1991 NISSAN SENTRA
100,000 MILES • 1.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
WAYNE GRIFFITH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
the alt. light came on and blinked then stayed out. I got it home and tried to test the alt. to see if it was bad. It started and I tried a few things shut it off and thought of another thing to try it started ran about 10 sec. and quit. It would not start again. I put the new alt. on and tried it still no go. I pulled a plug and looked at the spark and could just see it. So I got a new coil put it on no change. Put a new distributor on and still very weak spark and will not start. What else can cause a weak spark? Thank you Wayne Ps I had a new engine put in about 5000 miles back
Nov 6, 2014 at 8:16 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,248 POSTS
Is the battery fully charged? Have you checked for bad grounds (since the engine was replaced)? Have you checked the crank shaft sensor?
Nov 6, 2014 at 10:25 PM
Avatar
WAYNE GRIFFITH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your reply I charged the bat. And if I follow the book the sensor you talk about is in the distributor, and I put a new on in. I will check the ground and let you know. If I am wrong on the sensor please let me know were it is on the engine and how to test it. Thank you Wayne
Nov 7, 2014 at 3:50 AM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,248 POSTS
Wayne:
You're right. It is in the distributor.

Let me know what you find.
Nov 8, 2014 at 10:44 AM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle