IM only 16 I dont have a card; 2004 Nissan Maxima SE

Tiny
NISSANBABY
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 112,000 MILES
I have a 2004 nissan maxima se and one day I was driving and all the lights just cut on and the car just cut off the motor turns like its about to start but it just wont start. Whats the problem?
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 8:03 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
AUSERNAME123456
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
When you turn the key does the engine turn over but not start? And can you hear the fuel pump come on?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
NISSANBABY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes and idk what it suppose to sound like
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
AUSERNAME123456
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
It should sound like a buzz or a humm. Did your car backfire or make any unusual noise before it stopped running?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
NISSANBABY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Should I hear it before I try to start it like when allthe lights come on? And no it just cut off with no noise and signs at all
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
AUSERNAME123456
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Yes, you should hear the fuel pump when you turn the key forward to on position just before cranking it up.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
[quote]Yes, you should hear the fuel pump when you turn the key forward to on position just before cranking it up.[/Quote]

Not necessarily. Many Asian cars only power when cranking.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 12:11 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
The fuel pump is only activated for 1 second when ignition is turned on so it is not easy to detect its operation due to the short time span.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 1:49 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links