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HELP!! 1987 Stanza cold start problem

5K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  smj999smj 
#1 ·
Ok, need help on this one. Car barely idles and will even die sometimes when first started in the morning. Once the car has warmed up it runs fine. I have replaced the temp sensor, Tps, maf, newer distributor, checked for vacuum leaks, etc etc etc. If you attempt to drive the car before it is warm it will buck, sputter, and you have to feather the peddle to keep it going. It runs like the choke is on when not needed to be.:confused:
 
#2 ·
Sounds like a bad air regulator if it's only on cold starts. Refer to part code "22660M" on the part diagram linked below. The air regulator control an air port to assist in cold start up. There's a metal door inside controlled by a motor. Sometimes they fail. Don't be surprised if the rubber hoses are hard as concrete. If you replace it, get a new hose as the old one will probably break apart when you attempt to R&R the valve.

Part Detail
 
#4 ·
Ok messing with the car this morning, started it up, it began to spit and sputter as usual. unplugged the rear coil wire while running with no change. Plugged it back in and unplugged the front one. Car seemed to run fine... Is this a symptom of a bad coil?
 
#10 ·
Hamburgler... In order to know what parts your Stanza takes, one would need to know the make of your distributor (Hitachi or Mitsubishi), production date and if it was or was not a Stanza Wagon. The best way to identify your distributor is get the part number off of it. It will be stamped with a part number beginning with "22100-" followed by another five digits. The distributor cap and rotor would be specific to the distributor and the cap will usually have either a Hitachi or Mitsubishi emblem molded into it, if it's an OEM part. If you provide me with the needed info, I should be able to help you out.
 
#12 ·
IMO, aftermarket remans are nothing but problems and aftermarket caps and rotors aren't of the same quality. I recommend genuine Nissan reman distributors, which come with the cap and rotor, but they are pricey. The run about $285 from an online dealer, like 1stAAANissanParts.com.
 
#13 ·
Okay, thanks a ton for the help everyone!

First I replaced the coolant sensor and thermostat. Didn't really solve the problem but my car did heat up to temperature much more quickly so it wasn't for nothing.

The car still stumbled when it was cold and I first started it. It felt like it had a fuel air mixture problem until it was fully warmed up. Then it ran fine.

My car was manufactured in 86 so I bought the distributor, rotor and cap for "up to 4/87" - Installed them, set the timing and the car runs like a mother f-ing champ!

But haha, side note - 87 was a cool as year for this car, two coils, two plugs per cylinder, single cam, MIRRORS THAT FOLD FORWARD WHEN THEY ARE HIT so they don't break...makes so much sense!

Again, thanks for the help...I hope none of the hoses in that engine bay break...what a vacuum nightmare in there!

Cole
 
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