Does your check engine light come on when you have this problem?

It could be the common problem where oil leaks through the distributor shaft
and into the holes cut into the disc that the camshaft position sensor
"looks" through.  This causes rough running and stalling if enough of the
holes get blocked.  I was lucky enough to never have this problem on my 94
Altima up to 182,000 km, but I've heard of it causing these sorts of
problems.

If you're mechanically inclined at all, you can check yours by removing the
distrubutor cap, and rotor, and then removing the black plastic cover that
was under the rotor.  This should reveal a big metal disc with the holes cut
around the circumference.  Obviously if there's a lot of oil in there, you
could try cleaning it out carefully and see if that improves things at all.
It'll only be a temporary fix but at least you'll know what to replace (the
distributor).

My 1994 had the connection to the mass airflow sensor let go (literally the
socket for the electrical connection came out of the sensor because the
screws had been broken off that held it in) and I had your kind of problem
for a day or so before it completely came loose and I saw it under the hood.
You might try tapping on your sensor lightly with a screwdriver handle while
the car is running and see if it affects the engine in any way.  The airflow
sensor is the metal unit bolted to the engine side of your air cleaner, and
on the other end is the rubber air intake hose that runs into the engine.

That's quite odd.  It could be that you have a bad wiring harness connection
somewhere I suppose, which would cause a bad connection to various sensors
on the car and your washer fluid pump motor too...   I would take a look at
any and all wiring under the hood for corroded or broken wires, if for no
other reason than it's easy to do.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your problem!

On 9/16/05 11:44 PM, in article
1_670707_0ea4d7e4f612098c0698daf15979cd54@autoforumz.com, "raye"
<UseLinkToEmail@AutoForumz.com> wrote:

If this was a Honda, the answer would be a failing ignition switch.  With
the issue of intermittent washer apparently related to the stalling, I think
your problem might be with the wiring in the steering column.  Take the
plastic off the steering column and look for pinched or damaged wires.

Assignment #1: get a new mechanic. Today's car's are very electronic and
he has shown huge ignorance about adapting to new technology, and that
wound up costing you $900.

Assignment #2: The washer fluid problem is probably un-related to the
other problem. First, when you hit the stalk to spray the windshield, do
you hear the whizzing sound of the washer motor? Second, open the hood
and check the hoses that connect to those little "nostrils" on the hood
that spray the fluid. Maybe they fell off.

Assignment #3: Is your check engine light on? If it is, I bet it's
telling you that your camshaft position sensor is failing it's
diagnostic. Solution: replace your distributor. You see, on that Altima,
I had the same 96 Altima, the camshift position sensor and distributor
are one unit attached on the end of the exhaust cam. Over time, the seal
that keeps oil from leaking into the cam position sensor, fails. Oil
leaks into the unit and screws up the electronice OF THAT MODULE ONLY.
It's a $150-200 part if you get it from auto-zone. Just ask for the
distributor for that car at your parts store.

Please make sure to check the diagnostic of the check engine light if
the light is on. Hopefully you can find a new mechanic who can read the
computer. If this actually turns out to be the problem, see if you get
your money back from the previous mechanic. If not, demand the old ECU
back. It's fine. You can sell it on ebay or something. Oh and when I say
ECU, I mean the car's computer module.

CD

I am the author of this post, and guess what??  Today my crazy
windshield washer is working again!  What could be up with this thing?