97' Nissan Altima GXE Killing and Starting Problems

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Keith - 27 Feb 2006 13:57 GMT

Here's the deal, I have a problem a 97' Nissan Altima GXE. I drove it for 32
miles a few days ago and about the 33 miles it started to lose power and
killed. So I try to start it again it would crank but would not start, I try
this fro a few times without no luck. So I let it seat for about 15 minuets
and tried it again, to my surprise it started like nothing evered happen. I
got back on the road and it was running fine, only for 2 1/2 miles it killed
on me again.

I called to have it towed to my house. This is what I did afterward. I
purchase a fuel filter, distributor cap, rotor, plugs installed them and man
it started up. I let it run for awhile ten minuets later in killed, tried to
crank it again and again it wouldn't. Three hours later it started again
only to last another ten minuets.

Next day I purchase a Fuel Pump and Screen installed it with no problems, it
had the same reaction as I stated above. Since I really never checked for a
spark when It wasn't starting, I had my Dad crank it up I had a paper clip
in one spark plug wire while he crank it up and put the end of the paper
clip near a ground on the body and all I got was a little yellow spark not
strong at all coming from the end off the clip.

Shouldn't I have a nice blue spark?

Could I have a Bad Coil?

Need help please!

Thanks All!

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E Meyer - 27 Feb 2006 17:19 GMT

On 2/27/06 7:57 AM, in article dzDMf.70055$bF.8796@dukeread07, "Keith"
<duplan@cox.net> wrote:

> Here's the deal, I have a problem a 97' Nissan Altima GXE. I drove it for 32
> miles a few days ago and about the 33 miles it started to lose power and
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Thanks All!

Honda had a recall several years ago for their cars of this same vintage
because the ignition switches were failing. The symptoms are pretty much as
you describe.

Have you considered consulting a real mechanic for a diagnosis? Even if he
charged $100 an hour to diagnose and fix your problem, it would probably be
cheaper than wholesale replacing parts as you have been doing, and you might
actually get the problem fixed.

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Codifus - 28 Feb 2006 14:16 GMT

Replace your ENTIRE distributor, not just the rotor and cap. This is a
classic problem with that generation Altima. Ask me how I know;)

CD

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suren - 10 Mar 2006 11:02 GMT

>> Here's the deal, I have a problem a 97' Nissan Altima GXE. I drove it
>> for 32
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
> CD

How did you come with this conclusion to replace entire unit. Not that
I am challenging you.

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Codifus - 10 Mar 2006 19:15 GMT

>>> Here's the deal, I have a problem a 97' Nissan Altima GXE. I drove it
>>> for 32
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
> How did you come with this conclusion to replace entire unit. Not that
> I am challenging you.

No worries. I like a challenge. Besides, I was too lazy to write the
explanation the 1st time.

This is why:

On that Altima, I had a 96 Altima, 93 to 97 Altimas are the same car,
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.

CD

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