Winter season car starts/idles/shuts off

AMIELAWRENCE

MEMBER
2015 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
129,000 MILES

I live in nb Canada and we just got our first storm for the winter season last night the temperature only went down to -5 degrees Celsius. Not really that cold. I went to start the car about 20 minutes before I left for work to give it adequate time to at least get the fluids flowing. The car engaged ran for about 5 seconds and stalled. Hit the push button to turn car off to wait the 30 seconds so I won't possible cook the starter. Press the brake and hit the button the car started I had to give it a little fuel to keep it running. I took the rpm's up to about 1,500 let off the fuel and it runs fine until it sits for a few hours and does it again. It had a new fuel pump put on by the Nissan dealer in Fredericton NB last October where the car still had the manufacturer warranty and the issue was solved until now. It does not idle rough after this nor lose power while running or act like it's going to stall while driving or coming to a stop. This only happens during the winter months.

Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 5:56 PM

8 Replies

AMIELAWRENCE

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Also there are no indicator lights on the dash lite up indicating there is any type of problem with a sensor of any sort. So with no lights the computer can't read codes that are not there to attempt to resolve the issue.
I also thought that there may be a little moisture in the lines and or tank and added a small bottle of gas line antifreeze just as a precautionary measure.

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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 6:02 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi:

Interestingly, my first suspect is a coolant temperature sensor (ECT). The ECT indicates to the computer the coolant's temp at a given time. Now, based on that temperature, the computer adjusts the air fuel mixture. When it's cold, the fuel mixture must include more fuel for the engine to run. If the sensor isn't indicating the correct temp, the computer may be allowing the mixture to be too lean and the engine can't run in the ambient temperatures.

The easiest way to test the sensor is to simply get your hands on a live data scanner. Plug it in and go to live data and see what temperature the sensor is indicating. If, for example, it says it's 10°c and in reality it is -10°c, the fuel mixture may not allow the engine to start or continue running.

If the sensor is working but providing the wrong info, the computer doesn't set a code because it has no idea what the temp is. Thus, no codes are found.

If you check this and find it is bad, I attached a picture of its location.

This is where I would start. Let me know if it helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 AT 8:27 PM

AMIELAWRENCE

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I have ordered the sensor. Will keep posted.

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Thursday, November 14th, 2019 AT 6:06 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Hi:

Did you check it? I would hate to see you get a new sensor only to find it isn't bad.

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, November 14th, 2019 AT 9:05 PM

AMIELAWRENCE

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I got one for $13.00 shipping included. From the Nissan dealer it was only $33.00. I actually didn't have it tested but my boyfriend is a red seal diesel mechanic whose been in the trade for 24 years read our conversation and said to order it. So I did.

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Thursday, November 14th, 2019 AT 9:13 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS