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Hard starting in cold

Tiny
CLOSERPAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
Car cranks fine but now won't start at all. Replaced fuel filter, air filter, pvc valve and plugs. There are no engine codes showing and I got a nice flame when it backfired today after using starting fluid in the air intake so I assume there is spark. I got it running last weekend and it runs like a top when it does start. Just hard (impossible) to start so I;m leaning towards fuel system, relays, pumps etc. It is extremely cold here in Ohio (13F at nite, 28F daytime high temp) and that seems to magnify the problem. I know there was a technical service bulletin issued Jan 2003 from Nissan concening cold weather starting tips so this must be a problem. Any suggestions?
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Monday, February 23rd, 2009 AT 1:28 PM

42 Replies

Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
This guide will help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

It sounds like the engine coolant sensor is bad ?

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Monday, February 23rd, 2009 AT 6:39 PM
Tiny
LAC8362
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 25,000 MILES
1998 nissian maxima- new problem won't start in cold or sitting it starts after almost killing the battery and having to jump start. Runs great when running shutvoff car and starts back up then after sitting awhile won't start again help please. Changed plugs cam sensor computer still same problem
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Next time it refuses to start-do below

Get a starting fluid or ether and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LAC8362
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The crank and cam sensors were changed it wont start with starting fluid sprayed into throtle body rulinmg out a fuel problem very hard starting or not at all it seems to kick back like its out of time but it runs fine when it gets running
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:47 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Test the coil's primary and secondary windings resistances and the crank angle sensor
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KRAZY_STUD2008
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
My 1998 nissan maxima is hard to start and engine light is on. Just had a used engine put in. Code comes up 1335. What does that mean?
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Code is for Crankshaft Position Sensor located near crankshaft by oil pan.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Graphic_98.jpg

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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRIS MIDON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
I have a 1997 Nissan Maximum with 108000 miles. In the past couple of months, I have had intermittent trouble starting the car. Sometimes it starts perfectly at the first crank, sometimes it starts but with a little missing first then cranking gets sluggish and slow, to the point where the starter makes the "ratcheting" sound as if battery was dead. Then after waiting 5 minutes, tried again and it started just fine. Very strange. Had battery and alternator checked. All is good. Dealer can't reproduce problem so they can't explain what is wrong. They suggested it might be short in ignition wiring but can't gaurantee they will ever diagnose. They also suggested towing in at the 1st sign of difficulty, but that could be expensive and huge inconvenience if I'm long distance away (!)
I can't see any pattern - hot engine, cold engine makes no difference. Once started it runs well.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi chris midon,

Thank you for the donation.

The symptoms described seems to indicate a bad battery. If you are using maintenence free battery, there is a possibility it has internal faults. It can work perfectly one minute and the next it fails. I have encountered a few of these.

The other possibility is a bad starter. The brushes might be failing and intermittently when the carbon contacts are not good, it will fail to crank or cranks weakly.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JBMAXIMA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
I have a 1997 Nissan Maximum with 125000 miles. In the past couple of months, I have had intermittent trouble starting the car. Sometimes it starts perfectly at the first crank, sometimes it starts but with a little missing first, and once in a while I can't get it going unless I give it some gas first. I can't see any pattern - hot engine, cold engine makes no difference. Once started it runs perfectly. I ran fuel injector cleaner and octane booster through, seemed to help some but it is still a problem.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Take off the fuel pressure regulator vaccum line, is there gas in it? If so it needs replacement.

Does vehicle crank normally when it wont start or is it slow and sluggish, faster?

Have a fuel pressure drop test. And regular fuel pressure test.
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIA.ALVA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 127,000 MILES
Car has a hard time starting it will start I have fuel and spark its just a hard start need help its embarrassing
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
What is the fuel pressure when you try to start it. It may have to build pressure.
Is the check engine light on?
Have had basic maintenance like plugs, etc?

Roy
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIA.ALVA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I haven't check the fuel pressure the check engine light is on and I have a code 141 o2 senser
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIA.ALVA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes I did a tune up I even change the crank position sensor and the cam position sensor
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
All compressions ok?
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIA.ALVA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 127,000 MILES
Car has a hard time starting it will start I have fuel and spark its just a hard start need help its embarrassing I haven't check the fuel pressure but I have check engine light on the code is p0141
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the coolant temperature and oxygen sensor and also do fuel pressure check-
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Quit reposting no worry be so advised there's other people waiting to get fix ahead of you- Don't comeback to this post-stay on the other one
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GIA.ALVA
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I tryed that I even ground the engine in 3 different places
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Thursday, January 9th, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)

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