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97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start


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Arecibo2014
New User

Nov 3, 2014, 6:06 PM

Post #1 of 7 (2365 views)
97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start Sign In

1997 Nissan Maxima, 3.0 MT, 275K miles
No computer codes thrown.

Ok, so I have read the no start on crank post here. This does not quite fit the bill there. Please read thoroughly as this is a rather strange issue.

The vehicle will crank solid, but not fire when cranking. It acts like it will fire, but misfires and almost sounds like a timing issue. Basically crank crank crank, cough sputter, crank crank..... If it happens to catch just right, it will fire, but it sounds too rough on the motor while it is cranking.

Now for the odd part, push start the car and pop the clutch, STARTS IMMEDIATELY and runs beautifully. For this reason, I have not checked fuel, spark etc. because I know those are working properly. Once the car starts, it runs absolutely perfect.

I am questioning a sensor, possibly Crank Position Sensor, or Cam Position Sensor.

I normally can figure these things out but this one has me stumped and at the moment, I do not really have the $ to dump into a few parts randomly. My mechanic skills are better than average (can pull the MT from the car in roughly 5 hours with just hand tools) and this is not my first rodeo, but I need someone that might be able to shed some light on how to properly pin down this one. Hit me with some suggestions and I will give them a shot!

Thank you in advance!!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 3, 2014, 6:55 PM

Post #2 of 7 (2356 views)
Re: 97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start Sign In

That "no start" post applies to EVERY car with a crank, no start. It will systematically isolate the failure.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Arecibo2014
New User

Nov 3, 2014, 7:56 PM

Post #3 of 7 (2347 views)
Re: 97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start Sign In

No problem. After I posted here, just forbgrins, I checked the spark and the fuel. Test light in line from spark plug to plug wire, active spark. Checked color of spark, bright blue, not yellow. Good spark. Checked fuel pressure, 50 psi at ignition, 38 on cranking. Only thing I did not check was compression. Ran out of time.

What I do not understand is why it starts by pop starting it, but not by cranking with a key. What is the difference?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Nov 3, 2014, 8:01 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2345 views)
Re: 97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start Sign In

Most of the time the reason an engine acts like that is because the current draw of the starter is robbing voltage from the ignition system and causing a spark issue.Another possibility is the ignition switch isn't providing power in "start" position although it is when in the "run" position.

That should show up when testing spark if it's being done correctly using an adjustable spark tester.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 3, 2014, 8:02 PM)


Arecibo2014
New User

Nov 3, 2014, 8:25 PM

Post #5 of 7 (2336 views)
Re: 97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start Sign In

That makes some sense. However, the starter is brand new. Less than 20 mkles on it. I do not have an adjustable spark tester. Will see if I can get ahold of one and test again.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 4, 2014, 1:39 AM

Post #6 of 7 (2332 views)
Re: 97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start Sign In

"Pop" starts and runs fine but not by its own battery. Speaks volumes - battery isn't up to par. Check plain voltage drop exactly at battery's posts not the clamps and bet you find it drops too much cranking for other items to work that may test fine otherwise.


A car with those symptoms would probably start fine with a real strong jump start. Replacement starter may be drawing too much among many possible things too. Again today - too many miles on this. LED light bulbs even have a life expectancy so does everything in the car,


T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Nov 4, 2014, 5:21 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2324 views)
Re: 97 Maxima No Start on Crank, will pop start Sign In

Did you start having these problems after replacing the starter? What is the repair history on this?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Nov 4, 2014, 5:27 AM)






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