Cellar car issue - Page 2

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 01:35 PM

The problem is there are so many sensors and interlocks. Like it won't let the engine fire until the fuel pressure is up to a level that will let the calibrated fuel injectors provide a rich enough charge, or the oil pressure is sufficient.

I believe that car should be OBD-1 (On Board Diagnostics -1), so the best thing to do would be to check if any codes were set in the computer.
I don't know how Nissan works but American cars have method of reading the codes without a diagnostic analyzer.

GM, you short out the first two slots in the OBD connector under the dash. Some have a sequence of turning things like the key & brake lights on and off in a particular order. Your owners manual should tell if there is one for your car.

Then you count the flashes of the "check engine" light to get the numbers of the codes that are set, and look up the meaning of the numbers. Most of the information should be online.

edit, BTW, you can't sand the points with a matchbook striker anymore.

classicman · 01-21-2010, 01:32 PM

Cap rotor could simply be worn. That can make the starting sporadic or inconsistent. Just remove the top - 2 screws, I believe and take a look at it.
Should look like this:

Undertoad · 01-21-2010, 01:59 PM

Dagnabbit!!

This page explains how to get to the ECU to check the OBD, but instead of two screws,

there appear to be two plastic rivets... no phillips slots in them like the picture suggests and they can't be pried loose after five minutes of trying.

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 02:04 PM

That doesn't seem right. They use the OBD for state inspection, for god's sake, disassembly isn't practical. You shouldn't have to go to the ECU, there should be a connector easily available to mechanic and inspectors???

Undertoad · 01-21-2010, 02:06 PM

Yah there's a connector, but I don't have the tool to read it. This is the back door method for people who don't have the OBD tool.

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 02:10 PM

Oh OK, They don't give you a way to read the codes without a code reader? Pep boys should read the codes out for free, or so I'm told.

fargon · 01-21-2010, 02:11 PM

Take it to a shop with the proper diagnostic equipment, and let them figger it out it will cost less in the long run. I am a trained mechanic and I know this from experience.

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 02:14 PM

Oh, you're no fun.

classicman · 01-21-2010, 03:09 PM

Nissan has all the codes the same way. They are a series of short/long flashes with each representing a number - then you can look up the code.
I'd still take a look at the cap - it only takes about 5-10 minutes.

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 03:12 PM

How does Nissan activate the flashing?

Correction - looks like it's an OBD-2, my bad.

classicman · 01-21-2010, 03:21 PM

Thats looks just like my old car Tony, it is right behind there and there is a slot for a phillips head screwdriver to start the OBD computer. I don't recall it being a difficult thing to access.

Oh wait - are those the plastic push screws holding that panel in? I still have a few of them - never could get them back in.

glatt · 01-21-2010, 03:25 PM

Maybe the previous owner had trouble getting them back in too, and glued them in.

xoxoxoBruce · 01-21-2010, 03:41 PM

Two types, one with a center pin that can be pulled with pliers so the button can be pried out, and the second kind that gets destroyed taking them out. Fortunately they are cheap(less than a buck), and most auto parts stores have a selection.

skysidhe · 01-21-2010, 06:51 PM

fuel pump? filter? carburetor?

ah I dunno

monster · 01-21-2010, 07:09 PM

Did you check your 710 cap?

01-21-2010, 01:35 PM	#1
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	The problem is there are so many sensors and interlocks. Like it won't let the engine fire until the fuel pressure is up to a level that will let the calibrated fuel injectors provide a rich enough charge, or the oil pressure is sufficient. I believe that car should be OBD-1 (On Board Diagnostics -1), so the best thing to do would be to check if any codes were set in the computer. I don't know how Nissan works but American cars have method of reading the codes without a diagnostic analyzer. GM, you short out the first two slots in the OBD connector under the dash. Some have a sequence of turning things like the key & brake lights on and off in a particular order. Your owners manual should tell if there is one for your car. Then you count the flashes of the "check engine" light to get the numbers of the codes that are set, and look up the meaning of the numbers. Most of the information should be online. edit, BTW, you can't sand the points with a matchbook striker anymore. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-21-2010, 01:32 PM	#2
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Cap rotor could simply be worn. That can make the starting sporadic or inconsistent. Just remove the top - 2 screws, I believe and take a look at it. Should look like this: __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

01-21-2010, 02:04 PM	#4
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	That doesn't seem right. They use the OBD for state inspection, for god's sake, disassembly isn't practical. You shouldn't have to go to the ECU, there should be a connector easily available to mechanic and inspectors??? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-21-2010, 02:10 PM	#6
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Oh OK, They don't give you a way to read the codes without a code reader? Pep boys should read the codes out for free, or so I'm told. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-21-2010, 02:11 PM	#7
fargon Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: La Crosse, WI Posts: 8,924	Take it to a shop with the proper diagnostic equipment, and let them figger it out it will cost less in the long run. I am a trained mechanic and I know this from experience. __________________ Annoy the ones that ignore you!!! I live a blessed life I Love my Country, I Fear the Government!!! Heavily medicated for the good of mankind.

01-21-2010, 01:59 PM	#3
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Dagnabbit!! This page explains how to get to the ECU to check the OBD, but instead of two screws, there appear to be two plastic rivets... no phillips slots in them like the picture suggests and they can't be pried loose after five minutes of trying.

01-21-2010, 02:06 PM	#5
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Yah there's a connector, but I don't have the tool to read it. This is the back door method for people who don't have the OBD tool.

01-21-2010, 02:14 PM	#8
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Oh, you're no fun. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-21-2010, 03:09 PM	#9
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Nissan has all the codes the same way. They are a series of short/long flashes with each representing a number - then you can look up the code. I'd still take a look at the cap - it only takes about 5-10 minutes. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

01-21-2010, 03:12 PM	#10
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	How does Nissan activate the flashing? Correction - looks like it's an OBD-2, my bad. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 01-21-2010 at 03:26 PM.

01-21-2010, 03:21 PM	#11
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Thats looks just like my old car Tony, it is right behind there and there is a slot for a phillips head screwdriver to start the OBD computer. I don't recall it being a difficult thing to access. Oh wait - are those the plastic push screws holding that panel in? I still have a few of them - never could get them back in. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

01-21-2010, 03:25 PM	#12
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Maybe the previous owner had trouble getting them back in too, and glued them in.

01-21-2010, 03:41 PM	#13
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Two types, one with a center pin that can be pulled with pliers so the button can be pried out, and the second kind that gets destroyed taking them out. Fortunately they are cheap(less than a buck), and most auto parts stores have a selection. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-21-2010, 06:51 PM	#14
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	fuel pump? filter? carburetor? ah I dunno

01-21-2010, 07:09 PM	#15
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Did you check your 710 cap? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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