Will not start

Tiny
JADDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
I have changed the injectors and plus. But still same. Tried scanning but no codes. Lastly I discovered that when I manually put fuel in the engine through the manifold hose it starts and runs. Still fuel burns out but won't start normally.
Saturday, November 21st, 2020 AT 2:13 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

It sounds like you might have a weak or failed fuel pump due to you being able to start by putting fuel directly in. I would suggest to first perform a fuel pressure test. If you don't have access to a fuel pressure tester most auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can rent you one. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved:

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

After performing this test get back to us with the results and we'll go from there. The proper fuel pressure for your car should be 51 PSI at idle. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Saturday, November 21st, 2020 AT 4:51 PM
Tiny
JADDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
I did the fuel pressure test n it seems good (50psi).
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Saturday, November 28th, 2020 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Have you checked to see if your getting spark? Here is a tutorial to view:

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

Get back to us and we'll go from there. Also, Do you have a noid light checker to see if you are getting injector pulse signals? Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Sunday, November 29th, 2020 AT 2:50 PM
Tiny
JADDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
If fuel is fed manually into the manifold the car starts meaning there is spark right?
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Sunday, November 29th, 2020 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Yes, if you are manually putting fuel into the engine and it runs you are getting spark. If the fuel pressure seems to be satisfactory you might be having a sporadic fuel delivery issue. I would suggest checking the fuel pump relay-fuse first. It is in location number 48. I've attached a picture below from the under hood fuse box in your car. Here is a tutorial showing how to test a relay:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Let us know what you find and we'll go from there. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
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Monday, November 30th, 2020 AT 9:35 PM
Tiny
JADDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
Thanks for the response so far, mine looks like (in the attached picture) in the engine compartment, but from the label the fuse and relay looks okay. And by the way I notice that when I disconnect the fuel hose from fuel pump outlet (single hose) with ignition "on" fuel won't pump out until I crank the engine that's when fuel flows out. Please is that normal?
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

No, that is not normal. Even when you just turn the key in the 'on' position the fuel pump should prime for at least 2-3 seconds to prepare for you to crank and start the engine. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Friday, December 4th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
JADDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
Okay sir, so what could be responsible for this sporadic behavior? Could it be the pump itself or what? But prior to this time (when it's not starting) you had to crank it 2-3 times before it starts in the morning.
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Friday, December 4th, 2020 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

There is a problem by not having the fuel pump prime for the 2-3 seconds when you just turn the key 'on'. This would cause the issue of you having to crank the engine over so many times to start. Is this the original fuel pump or do you know when it's been replaced? Also, The ECM- engine control module is what controls this function for the pre start prime and also controls the fuel system functions. I've attached a system description picture below. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Saturday, December 5th, 2020 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
JADDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
Good day once again, I tried getting the code manually (since the scanner wasn't getting any) using the normal Nissan method but the ' service engine soon ' light just flashed slowly 5 times and that was all. Please any idea what this means?
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Thursday, December 10th, 2020 AT 7:28 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

What kind of scanner where you using? You can take your car to auto parts stores like AutoZone and they can check diagnostic codes for free. With the check engine light flashing it means there is a memory code stored. Get back to us and we'll figure this out. Thanks for using 2Carpros.

Danny-
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Thursday, December 10th, 2020 AT 11:56 PM
Tiny
JADDUN
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
Update: I changed the fuel pump and it started but running roughly, so I felt it was d plugs, so I changed the plugs two days later (today) now it won't start, after several attempts it starts for like 5 seconds then stalls. What could be the issue now?
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Monday, December 21st, 2020 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Did the car stay running before you changed the plugs for more than the 5 seconds? If you still have access to the fuel pressure tester I would like to see what happens to the pressure after the 5 seconds the car is running and shuts off. Would like to see if the pressure maintains and the car shuts off or, the pressure goes to zero and makes the car shut off. Let us know what you find and get back to us. Thanks again for using 2CarPros and Happy Holidays.

Danny-
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 AT 10:51 PM

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