Stalls and complete power loss for five seconds?

Tiny
GMAN96
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 NISSAN 200SX
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
Driving and suddenly power drops off and when I feather the gas pedal no power, then five seconds goes by and power comes back or it stalls and after two tries it will restart and be fine. The shop said it needs a new distributor. Its automatic I cleaned mass air flow and idle air control sensor. Any ideas?
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2022 AT 8:36 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

The distributor could be an issue, but has anyone tried to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes? If they have, what codes were found?

Also, when this happens, is the engine the only thing affected, or do other things start to fail? For example, do lights dim or do any lights show on the instrument cluster?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, August 4th, 2022 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
GMAN96
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thank you. No, engine light did not come on. So, I got new a distributor on eBay. AutoZone wants $287.00. Forty-year mechanic immediately said get new a distributor. So, I'm going with his suggestion. Regards
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Thursday, August 4th, 2022 AT 11:43 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. If possible, let me know how things turn out with a different distributor. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care.

Joe
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Friday, August 5th, 2022 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
GMAN96
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
BTW 90s Nissan's also have an idle defect that adds to the problem. At 60 MPH the car /RPMs will buck and become erratic but just speed up and the problem goes away. What car do you have?
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Friday, August 5th, 2022 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

The bucking is interesting. Are you certain it isn't related to the transmission, overdrive in particular?

I drive an old dodge truck. Put fuel in it, maintain it, and it always goes. LOL

Joe
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Friday, August 5th, 2022 AT 11:11 PM
Tiny
GMAN96
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Sorry not trans rela nissan had a recall on this yyr ago I think it was related to one of the sensors like cam or computer control modul
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Friday, August 5th, 2022 AT 11:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

It is very possible. I used to own Nissans all the time. That was until I got a Titan. LOL, I had so much trouble with it plus 10 MPG. That was my last one.

To age myself, I had a 240Z. I put 6 Webber-side draft carbs on it. That was fun.

You take care of yourself.

Joe
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Saturday, August 6th, 2022 AT 1:38 PM

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