Engine shut off while driving

Tiny
AZDANNO04
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 232,052 MILES
Checked fuses, tried spraying starting fluid in intake. Battery read 12.4 on meter. Half tank of gas. Since I've had it for over four years been using seafoam every so often. Possibility either fuel pump or oil pump? How can I check to see what's the issue for car not wanting to turn over? I replaced spark plugs and fuel filter not long ago couple months ago. The only thing I needed to do was valve adjustment. Did a compressor check and first cylinder was 20% lower than the others.
Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 2:09 PM

10 Replies

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

first thing you should do is perform a fuel pressure test. You might have a failed or weak fuel pump not providing adequate pressure. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved for performing a pressure test:

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

After performing this test get back to us with your findings and we'll go from there. The fuel pressure specification for your car is With vacuum hose connected 34 PSI and vacuum hose disconnected 43 PSI. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 2:43 PM
Tiny
AZDANNO04
  • MEMBER
  • 343 POSTS
Which relay under the hood or fuse inside the driver side kick plate is for the fuel pump? I don't have access to a fuel pressure tester. So far I hear the humming sound before cranking the engine. But that doesn't mean it can be low pressure. When I tried spraying starting fluid in the throttle body made sure the butterfly was opened but didn't turn over. If you can send me the process to access the fuel pump. So I can check the filter to see if its clogged. I will also try tapping underneath the fuel tank to see if it will help with the pump. I can also unplugged the MASS sensor and try starting it along with trying it in Neutral. To see if it will start.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 6th, 2021 AT 11:45 PM
Tiny
AZDANNO04
  • MEMBER
  • 343 POSTS
Checked the fuel railing its getting fuel. Neighbor said he thinks it's the injector pulse.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 7th, 2021 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

The best way to check injector pulse is by using a noid light injector tester. The noid light tester and fuel pressure tester are available at your local auto parts store that have a tool loan program and can rent you one. The noid light test will determine if your injectors are receiving a pulse from the PCM-powertrain control module. You should also test to see again if you are receiving the proper fuel pressure. I've attached a picture below of what a noid test light kit looks like. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
AZDANNO04
  • MEMBER
  • 343 POSTS
Need to know which relay or fuse for the fuel injectors.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

If you look at pic 1, it shows the fuse for the injectors. I highlighted it for you. When checking the fuse, confirm there is power to and from it. Here is a link that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

The remaining pics are the entire wiring schematic for the powertrain control system. I thought maybe you could use it as a reference. I had to cut each pic in half to make them readable. I did overlap them so you can follow.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
AZDANNO04
  • MEMBER
  • 343 POSTS
Thank you thank you! Will let you know what happened.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 AT 10:08 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
You are very welcome. Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 4:40 PM
Tiny
AZDANNO04
  • MEMBER
  • 343 POSTS
Well, I replaced the crankshaft sensor and sprayed QD electric cleaner around harnesses that looked a bit dirty and build up of gunk. Tried starting car still the same. Now going to take distributor cap and rotor off and check camshaft sensor. Just in case I ordered a new distributor and used ECM same part number on it. In the meantime. Had token off the ECM and cleaned around the harness and connector parts opened up inside didn't see any burnt or any type of issue pretty clean. Though my car had started and ran before this issue arrived. I noticed the spark plug wires were not in the distributor as the order there suppose to be. I placed in order top 1st bottom is 4th left towards front of the car is 3rd and towards the back is the 2nd spark plug wire. Tried starting and the same thing. Well I will let you know what happens. I know since I've had the vehicle when it was 207,000 plus miles it hadn't had the timing adjusted. New belts new upper tensioner, harmonic balancer. But I haven't had the timing done. Going to take the spark plug for the first cylinder off to check for TDC as I manually moving the where the notches are on the serpentine belt.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Here is the firing order I've attached below in case it helps. Keep us updated. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, March 11th, 2021 AT 9:28 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

Code Read Retrieval/Clear
VIDEO
Code Read Retrieval/Clear
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE