1998 GXE Dead in the Water

Mar 9th, 2003, 01:35 PM

Hey,
New here and have a big problem.
My Wife was going down the freeway the other day, and the Sentra just DIED. No power failure, no hesataion or stuttering.. just Died. When I got there to pick her up, it would turn over, but not start. My first thought was the fuel pump, but when I turn on the key, it pumps.... I am a little new to engine's with computers, but I was wondering if there is any way I can fix this myself without taking it to the shop.... money is a little tight, and I don't know a reputable mechinic, we have had problems with the local dealership, so I don't want to take it there.
We have a 1998 Sentra GXE.
AT, 4 cyl and all stock.
Please, if someone knows ANYTHING, throw me a line..... I'm Drowning....
Thanks,

BORNGEARHEAD · Mar 9th, 2003, 01:44 PM

First check to see if you have spark. I'm thinking that you don't have spark. I have seen a quite of few of these that need a distributor. The spark originates from the distributor. So first check for spark.

2nd_wnd · Mar 9th, 2003, 02:05 PM

Thats what i would do, if no spark at the plug , then id check on the wire leading to the distributor, that way you can single out if its the coil or the distributor

Mar 10th, 2003, 12:01 AM

great... that will give me something to check in the morning..... I just hope that it is that easy and not a cpu (ecu?) problem...

LIUSPEED · Mar 10th, 2003, 12:15 AM

try the coolant temp sensor.. mine died like that before ( kinda ) and it was the coolant temp sensor.

himilefrontier · Mar 10th, 2003, 01:15 AM

I had a similar problem happen to my carburated AMC.What had happened was the positive post had broken off inside the alternator and was shorting to the alternator body thus shorting out the whole ignition system.I disconnected the alternator(embarassing on a saturday night on the side of the road on Clearwater beach!)and disassembled it.I then taped off the wires and got a good long jump before I drove it 30 miles home.You may also want to check to see if the coil is shorting accross the posts(had that prob in that car too!)by cranking the car at night and looking to see if there are any sparks arcing the coil.you may also want to see if the injectors are firing with a test light.If not, the ignition module may have gone bad since it sends the signal to fire the injectors on some cars(yup, had this prob too!-but on another car)Hope this helps!

Mar 10th, 2003, 12:52 PM

thanks for all the advice guys.. I still can't get it to start.
I took off the distributer cap and cleaned all the contacts and positive post, turned it over with the cap off to make sure it was'nt the timing belt, fuel pump is working, I did take out a plug and look for spark (does that work?.. dunno, it does with a lawnmower.. ha ha) and there was none, so I am thinking that it is electrical. arghh... I don't want to pay out the A$$ and take it to the shop...... any more suggestions?.. oh, and if it is the coolant sensor, or ignition module is there a way to check that? .. like with a multimeter, or whatnot? Is there any check engine light codes that anyone knows of that I could check?
thanks again.