Will not stay running?

Tiny
BRITTANYMARIE_1992
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 NISSAN MURANO
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,101 MILES
I was on the way home from work after getting gas and my car shut off. I'm not sure why but soon as it shut off or stalled, I tried turning the key and I didn't even hear the fuel pump engage. So I was thinking fuel pump. A couple days pass, I finally get the fuel pump, put it in and try to start the car but it still won't stay running. It will get up to 2,500 RPMs but when I go to press the gas to try to keep it going, it shuts down shortly after. I am at a loss for what could be causing it now that I have replaced the fuel pump. Some people say ECM if the battery was disconnected for a period of time, some think TB, fuel injectors being clogged, etc. I just am curious of this has ever happened to someone before and how to fix it? I can provide more information if needed as well. I just need some help.
Friday, September 17th, 2021 AT 2:23 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,108 POSTS
Hi,

When it stalls, does it start right back up and then stall again, or do you have to wait for a while for it to start again? If you have to wait, take a look through this link and let me know if it seems to mirror what you are experiencing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Next, if you haven't already, you should scan the can-bus system on the vehicle. CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, all the computers/modules are tied together via a few wires. This procedure will identify diagnostic trouble codes regardless of the module storing them.

Here is a quick video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

I realize most people don't own a scan tool, but oftentimes, a parts store will lend one to you. This really should be done to point us in the right direction. Otherwise, it will become a guessing game.

Let me know as much as you can about the symptoms. Also, when this happened the first time, were there any strange sounds, odors, or smoke from the exhaust?

Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe
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Friday, September 17th, 2021 AT 10:00 PM
Tiny
BRITTANYMARIE_1992
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes, it will start right up every time I turn the key. I am afraid to start it up back to back because I don't want to flood the engine. But it will start up each time and just stall out a couple seconds after. It will just not stay running long enough to do anything. I posted a video to give you an idea. The video shows what happens each time I try to keep the car running. No, when this first happened it did not act funny, drive weird, no smoke or odors. It drove normal that morning and lunchtime I drove it but on the way home and it just shut off. I will try to see if my auto parts store will let me borrow a code reader. Now, I need a specific type of reader, right? It can't just be a basic one cause that doesn't scan the CAN? I just want to make sure because I have a scanner but I don't know if it needs to be a specific one or if they all do the same thing.
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Saturday, September 18th, 2021 AT 4:27 AM
Tiny
BRITTANYMARIE_1992
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Also, my car is so loud because when it stalled out with me driving it, I had to leave it on the side of the road overnight before I could get it moved and when I came to get it the next day after work, I realized someone had came up and cut my catalytic converter off. So that's why my vehicle sounds like a race car. Lol.
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Saturday, September 18th, 2021 AT 4:47 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,108 POSTS
Brittany,

I can't believe what people will do. To steal a catalytic converter takes a lot of nerve.

Okay, the scan tool will need to be able to read the CAN. Tell me, does your scanner have live data? I'm asking because after listening to it and the idea that it always starts right back up leads me to think it could be related to the mass airflow sensor (MAF).

The sensor is in the air intake tube between the air filter box and the throttle body. See the pic below. Do me a favor. Disconnect it and see if it makes a difference. By disconnecting it, the computer will go into a mode that is set by the factor to keep the car running.

Let me know what happens.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, September 18th, 2021 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
BRITTANYMARIE_1992
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I scanned my car today and the only code that came up was P0051 which I already know since the cat was cut off so I'm not sure what it could be. I think it has live data on it but the car won't stay running long enough for me to be able to read it. It will read when it's off but I don't know the values are if they are normal or whatnot. I checked all the connections and everything that is the MAF but nothing is loose, disconnected or messed up so. I am hoping that if I can get a piece of flex pipe and/or eventually get a new cat that it will create back pressure enough to start the car but right now, the scanner isn't giving me any information. I made sure it could read the CAN before I purchased. I will disconnect it when I get home from work this afternoon and see if it makes a difference. Thank you!
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Monday, September 20th, 2021 AT 4:36 AM
Tiny
BRITTANYMARIE_1992
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It will start without the sensor connected but it won't start with it connected. That means I should get a new sensor, right?
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Monday, September 20th, 2021 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,108 POSTS
Hi,

Have you confirmed the fuel pressure is within spec since the pump was replaced? Here is a link showing how that is done:

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

As far as the flex pipe, you will still not have the O2 sensor connected which is an issue. Plus, it should run with the converter gone.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, September 20th, 2021 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
BRITTANYMARIE_1992
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I have not had a chance to check the fuel pressure because I have no idea where I would put the fuel pressure gauge. I do not have a Schrader valve on my car so I'm not 100% sure where on my car I would put the end of the gauge to be read. I have tried looking online, in videos but none show my specific car and how to check it.
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Monday, September 20th, 2021 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,108 POSTS
Hi,

There is a special tool (hose) that connects between the pressure damper and the fuel injector rail.

If you look at the pic below, I attached what the tool looks like. It is part or a fuel pressure gauge kit (J-44321). (See pic 1)

The remaining pics are the directions for testing.

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

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Monday, September 20th, 2021 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
BRITTANYMARIE_1992
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you so so much! For all your help! Disconnecting the sensor for the MAF made it actually stay on and I am so darn happy it's running again! You are a genius! I am so grateful for your help and for you taking time to help me when you don't have to! It actually is running but I am going to check the fuel pressure tomorrow after I get home from work to make sure everything is good with it. I am in the process of getting a new sensor and replacing the cats so it doesn't sound like a race car. Lol. But thank you use much for helping me with this problem. Other then the that, it is running! I'm not ready to take it out on the road just yet but I wouldn't even have it running if it wasn't for you.
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Monday, September 20th, 2021 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,108 POSTS
Hi,

You are very welcome, but you don't need to thank me. You did it, not me. Good job.

Chances are the sensor is bad and that is what caused the issues originally. When you disconnected it, the car's computer went into a predetermined setting to allow the vehicle to run in the event the sensor failed.

I'm here if there is anything you need. Also, please feel free to come back anytime in the future. You're always welcome here.

One last thing. I wish we could find the person that cut the converter out of the vehicle. I still can't believe that happened. It just really upsets me that people are that crazy. They are worth a few dollars, but nowhere near what they cost.

Regardless, take good care of yourself.

Joe
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Monday, September 20th, 2021 AT 8:34 PM

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