2000 Nissan Pathfinder Trouble starting when it's cold

LAHTIDO

MEMBER
2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
135,000 MILES

I've been having trouble lately getting my vehicle to start when the weather is cold, especially in the mornings when it's been sitting cold all night. It cranks fine, has power, but won't turn over. By accident, I found that if I leave the key in the ignition in the "ON" position for a few minutes (the colder it is, the longer it has to stay in the "ON" position), then it starts no problem. A few times, thought, after it starts, shortly after driving maybe.10 of a mile, as I stop at a stop sign, then the car dies. Then I have to put it in park, and after a couple of tries it will start right back up. When it does this, it's acting as if it ran out of gas. Any ideas or suggestions as to what the problem is? Fuel pump? Relay?

1 Reply

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Sounds like a fuel pump going bad. See the fuel pump should hold some pressure in the fuel line, now when you turn on the key it brings the fuel pressure to spec and engine starts. Now if the fuel pressure is bleeding off all the way it takes some cranking or turning the key on and off a few times to build up the pressure. So in the morning check the test valve on the fuel rail and see if there is any pressure on it. Let me know what you find and we will go from there