No start no spark?

Tiny
JACK2292
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
The vehicle listed above came into shop blown head gasket repaired head gasket it ran for almost 30 minutes then shut off and restart it sounds like it's almost there ready to start but no. So replaced cam crank sensors checked for fuel pulse and checked scanner readings getting fuel pulse and has RPM signal. No codes on further inspection found only has spark on passenger side no spark on drive side all coils have power and if I ck power and the ground on coil plug I get a 12-volt reading when checked ground wire path. Any help or ideas would be awesome. Thank you, Jack
Thursday, March 27th, 2025 AT 11:23 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,773 POSTS
It sounds like a ground was left off or is loose. Also, could it be the timing belt has jumped a tooth or more? If the ground circuit is not closing the PCM is bad or is not getting a signal. So, you might want to try a crankshaft sensor. Let us know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 28th, 2025 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
JACK2292
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for your reply. Today I've rechecked all grounds and plugs previously replaced cam and crank sensors.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 28th, 2025 AT 11:55 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,773 POSTS
I would connect a scanner to the data port and go to the prompt where you see engine RPM. Then crank the engine to see if the PCM shows the engine cranking.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Also, I have seen a ignition coil short out which will cause the other coils on that bank stop working. You might want to try disconnection them one at a time to see if the system starts working.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 29th, 2025 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
JACK2292
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes I get rom signal I get can crank sink it sparks one time when first crank then nothing non driver side.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 31st, 2025 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,773 POSTS
Is the crank sensor OEM or name brand? It sounds like it is weak. Please let me know.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 31st, 2025 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
JACK2292
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank all who replied to my question So here what happened today got to shop and had read this weekend u can unplug ether the crank sensor or cam sensors and it will cause it to fire so installed a factory crank sensor on driver's side nothing So unplugged the passenger side cam sensor and she fired right up ran for about 15 seconds and what I had thought came to best one of my mechanics had the timing off or a tensioner not set and it fired up hit a valve or something internal and died so back apart it shall come got to love Mondays thanks again for all the replies hope this helps someone who reads this if off by more than half tooth on one cam it will spark in one side but not on the side it's off.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 31st, 2025 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,773 POSTS
Good find, the computer can act strange when the camshaft timing is off. Let me know when you get the engine back together.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 AT 9:09 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
VIDEO
Car Cranking but Not Starting? Try This
In­struc­tional re­pair video
Engine Not Starting
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting
Over the past 20 years at 2CarPros we have iden­ti­fied the top prob­lems that are eas­ily fixed. This guide can save you a trip to the re­pair garage or call­ing a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE