NX n00b

Lime · Oct 28th, 2003, 09:44 AM

Hey, everyone...I just picked up a 1988 Pulsar NX SE, and I have a few stupid little questions.

The first question is: does the stupid chime thing always go off when the lights are off, the key is out of the ignition, and a door is open?

Second question is, my rear hatch struts are busted; should I hit up a local Nissan dealer for the replacements, or order them somewhere else?

Third is, what would you guys recommend for OEM plugs that will last? It needs a tune up badly.

Last, stupidest question...I was assured the car has a timing chain, not belt, but wanted to verify.

Thanks in advance!

MNPULSAR · Oct 28th, 2003, 01:13 PM

I have an 88 myself with the e16I they have belts. check on Ebay for hatch struts. I found a strut latch that holds the strut open once you open it then manualy release it. I recomend NGK plugs and OEM wires! have burned up several sets of the cheap ones before wiseing up. Good luck.

minute rice sentra · Oct 28th, 2003, 02:11 PM

if you don't like that chime, you can get rid of it. there should be a little black box under the dash that you can unplug and the chime will stop. Just to make sure i didn't run down the battery by leaving the lights on, i wired the lights(headlights and parklights) so that they can only be on when the key is in the ignition. not to hard to do.

oh yeah the pulsar will have a timing belt

Lime · Oct 28th, 2003, 04:34 PM

Yeah my NX has the 1.8L. It's not a bad little car, but definitely needs a tuneup, and I'd like to check the timing as well. I guess since they were wrong about the chain, then I will check the condition of the belt as well, if it's at all accessible (knowing most cars...it's probably not).

I haven't really felt like working on either of the cars lately, as I have been under the weather, but this should get done soon. The NX also needs a good engine bay cleaning...bleh...maybe I'll do that this weekend.

Man, I am lazy. The last thiing I did was the clutch MC/SC in my MR2.

fastpakr · Oct 28th, 2003, 05:06 PM

Curious, I thought the CA series did have a chain. Not at all sure though.

Lime · Oct 30th, 2003, 08:10 AM

well I just picked up the giant Sentra/Pulsar Chilton's manual. Aside from some hefty bedtime reading, it indicates I do indeed have a belt. Sux0rz. Gotta go borrow my friend's timing gun!

Lime · Oct 30th, 2003, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MNPULSAR
I have an 88 myself with the e16I they have belts. check on Ebay for hatch struts. I found a strut latch that holds the strut open once you open it then manualy release it. I recomend NGK plugs and OEM wires! have burned up several sets of the cheap ones before wiseing up. Good luck.

Yeah I always used NGK on the Maxima...in general, it would seem Nissan engines run pretty hot in the firing, and the NGK's seem to last the longest and run the best. I'll have to get part numbers from the stealership.

Lime · Nov 1st, 2003, 07:23 PM

did an oil change and spark plug replacement today! I didn't really have time to drive it (other than startup, check for leaks), but I did look over the Chilton's some more as a result of it all.

DAMN. I didn't even notice until today that the car had DIS. Sweetness. I'm just like...uh...Nissan...what were you thinking when you didn't immitate the SR/GA engines with the timing CHAIN? I mean...ffs...DIS but no chain...oh well.

minute rice sentra · Nov 1st, 2003, 08:11 PM

fastpakr · Nov 1st, 2003, 09:19 PM

distributorless ignition system.

Lime · Nov 2nd, 2003, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fastpakr
distributorless ignition system.

Oh, sorry hehe. I'm a nerd, I guess.

Edit: this means there are no spark plug wires attaching to a distributor cap, like in say an SR20. The CA16DE doesn't have DIS.

minute rice sentra · Nov 2nd, 2003, 12:55 PM

ok, just never heard that term before, did you take care of that "chime" yet? i couldn't stand it after the first month of having the car, it's so annoying.

Spelchy · Nov 2nd, 2003, 01:13 PM

i got rid of that damn chime the first day i had the car, worst sound ever. i found a set of hatch struts at canadian tire, when i needed them. poke around town first, if you dont wanna pay shipping.

Lime · Nov 3rd, 2003, 11:30 AM

haha no not yet...I will when I mess around with the stereo this weekend. It currently is non-functional. I can't STAND not having music in the car.

Rain-Xx · Nov 4th, 2003, 02:44 AM

Chime is extemely easy to disable, but I use the cig lighter power thingy every once in a while, so I left it in. As for the stereo...
You doing the head unit and speakers? The doors are easy, but the rear pods... they're a pain to get to. I bought and installed 6 1/2" for the doors, and 6x9s for the rear. But once you get to the rear speakers, it's smooth sailing from there.
The head unit was also an easy self-install.

I got my stuts at Canadian Tire, as well.

Good luck with your Pulsar... you got the model I dream of.