83 Sentra Starting Problems

tranceman · Apr 13th, 2004, 03:07 PM

Ok this has me totally stumped.. I recently acquired this car. The car ran and drove as well as could be expected for it being an 83. The engine was filthly with 20yrs worth of dirt so I decided to wash it. I covered up the proper things with plastic like the battery, distributor, and alternator. The wash was successful, with the car starting up no problems, drove it the 7 miles home with no problems, let it idle for another 3 minutes or so to finish the drying process. Now today when I try to start it, nothing. No power whatsoever to anything. What I have checked thus far

Battery --Checks out ok
Starter/Starter Solenoid -- Able to bypass with screwdriver, cranks engine over
Fuses under dash -- All check out ok
Ignition Switch -- No power at all, however continuity was ok.

What I cannot do is start the car at all using the screwdriver trick, and it smells like gas. This makes me think that for some reason I am not getting spark. I have the Haynes manual with all the wiring diagrams, but havent been able to find the location of any fusable links, though I didnt notice any broken or exposed wires. I guess my question is what could cause this to happen and what can I do to remedy the situation? All replies appreciated

Myetball · Apr 13th, 2004, 05:03 PM

A few things to check. First, check the battery to make sure there is voltage. Then, there is a fusible link right near the positive battery terminal, it should be a brown wire. Next, check the battery connections for corrosion or broken wires, both positive and negative. Make sure the connection on the starter is good as well as the main ground connection.

And welcome aboard.

B11sleeper · Apr 13th, 2004, 05:11 PM

so your dome light doesn't work either?

if you can crank it with the screwdriver, but the coil is not getting power, then it won't start even if it cranks. is it possible that you knocked the wires off the distributor while washing or they fell off? the ones that go to the HVC, or perhaps your HVC happened to decide to die just then.

i've never had problems with water getting in to the electronics when i was the engine bay, i don't cover anything. I must be lucky.

Gsolo · Apr 13th, 2004, 06:30 PM

sounds to me like you want to check a few things.

1) connections on coil/distributor
2)fusible link(s) <---i dunno how many it has

3)possible fried wire or computer

B11sleeper · Apr 13th, 2004, 06:36 PM

if your car even has fusible links.... i think some ghetto genius mechanic took mine out. so how heavy of a breaker would i want to put in to make this safer???

sorry for jacking

Gsolo · Apr 13th, 2004, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B11sleeper

if your car even has fusible links.... i think some ghetto genius mechanic took mine out. so how heavy of a breaker would i want to put in to make this safer???

sorry for jacking

1) find link and box in junkyard
2) go to dealer, wouldn't be that expensive.

be better off replacing what should be there than trying something else.

B11sleeper · Apr 13th, 2004, 06:48 PM

on b11's the fusable link is in the engine bay it's like spliced into the harness, even the oem way is pretty ghetto.

i try to do better than oem, they design things to be cheap for them, there are usually better ways to do things.

Gsolo · Apr 13th, 2004, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B11sleeper

on b11's the fusable link is in the engine bay it's like spliced into the harness, even the oem way is pretty ghetto.

i try to do better than oem, they design things to be cheap for them, there are usually better ways to do things.

if you can find a better way excellent, but for some things oem is the only reliable way to go. at least its not like hondas damn big ass fuses

OZMAN · Apr 13th, 2004, 06:51 PM

Sounds 2 me like you fried your ignition control module wich is located in the distributor,are you getting any spark out of the coil????

tranceman · Apr 13th, 2004, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B11sleeper

so your dome light doesn't work either?

if you can crank it with the screwdriver, but the coil is not getting power, then it won't start even if it cranks. is it possible that you knocked the wires off the distributor while washing or they fell off? the ones that go to the HVC, or perhaps your HVC happened to decide to die just then.

i've never had problems with water getting in to the electronics when i was the engine bay, i don't cover anything. I must be lucky.

I have a feeling that the coil is not getting spark. I know I didnt knock off any wires from the distributor because I had it covered. It also started immediately after the wash as I was able to drive it home. One question, what is the HVC and where is it located. Also could you guys give me a better description of where the Fusible links are? The Haynes manual talks about them but gives no description as to where they are located. I have checked the battery connections as well as the battery itself, both checked out ok. The starter and selanoid are both getting power, due to the fact that I can crank the engine with a screwdriver. Also what is the best way to test a coil? I would assume you would use an ohm meter. The more I read your suggestions the more I think that I fried my coil when I washed it. Any more suggestions are appreciated. I will be sure to keep you guys updated with any findings. Thanks again!

Gsolo · Apr 13th, 2004, 10:04 PM

test the coil....hmm....unplug it from the distributor, place it where the plug is close to steel and have someone crank it over while you watch for spark. just dont hold onto or touch anything close to it

i shocked myself yesterday cause i have a split wire...found out the hard way, that smarts

B11sleeper · Apr 13th, 2004, 10:06 PM

let me scan some pages out of my 83 datsun nissan factory service manual tomorrow, i think it will be more helpful than the haynes book.

HVC= coil, high voltage coil

the coil should have not been hurt by getting it wet, it may have just died. the ignition module might have died, i think the FSM would tell you how to check it out. I think i might even have a spare dizzy that i can take the module out of and check it.

so you do have power to your dome light and other things or not, because if nothing is getting power, then check fusible links, otherwise it might be an ignition related thing.

tranceman · Apr 13th, 2004, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B11sleeper

let me scan some pages out of my 83 datsun nissan factory service manual tomorrow, i think it will be more helpful than the haynes book.

HVC= coil, high voltage coil

the coil should have not been hurt by getting it wet, it may have just died. the ignition module might have died, i think the FSM would tell you how to check it out. I think i might even have a spare dizzy that i can take the module out of and check it.

so you do have power to your dome light and other things or not, because if nothing is getting power, then check fusible links, otherwise it might be an ignition related thing.

Thanks. I have no power to anything else, no dome light, no brake lights, its as if the battery is dead. I hope its not a double whammy, coil and links. I read somewhere that coils are expensive. And are the links connected to the battery, because if they are I dont believe that I have any. The only thing coming off the battery is the cable to the starter. There is the remains of something else that was so badly corroded it wasnt even connected. It looked alot like a link that was pictured in the haynes manual.

B11sleeper · Apr 13th, 2004, 10:33 PM

sounds like the corroded thing is / was the fusible link. you have to fix that first, because there will be no power going to anything.

tranceman · Apr 22nd, 2004, 10:07 PM

Update on this situation. It was the fusable link coming off the battery. Picked up a used one from the junkyard and spliced it in. Started like a champ. Thanks for the help guys!