recycled_toddler

Heya! I just got back from Alberta and the engine's now fully broken-in; The engine never skipped a beat, but it has acted differently over the miles...

It acted a little groggy at altitudes between 3,000 and 6,000 feet, but it's at near-sea-level where I'm making my notes: Some days, the car has trouble getting out of its own way, others it seems acceptable. It's the E16i, built from an '87 Sentra E16s with a total rebuild.

What I'm curious about: Since the TBI cars don't use a vacuum sensor like the carbed ones do, what tells the brain that the gas has been stepped on and that timing needs to be advanced? It seems that the acceleration is at its best only at a certain vacuum level; Above or below it, and it's rather weak. It's like a reverse-flat-spot.

I don't know whether to suspect the distributor, the throttle position sensor of the airflow sensor. It idles great, but you do have to give the gas a tap to start it cold. Does anyone have any experience with this scenario and can contribute a suggestion or two? ¡Muchas Gracias!

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Later, taters; Off to a better place. Catch me there!

 

recycled_toddler

OK, here's a symptom I forgot about: When I make a turn, it runs stumbly for a second when I power away and then resumes normal operation...almost like it's fuel starvation. And it tends to backfore some on deceleration, but backfires a little more between gears. Any possibilities?

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recycled_toddler

Okay, I decided to do the brain-box test to extract any codes that might be stored since this started happening. When I got into Mode III, I got a Code 21 (2 flashes red, one flash green); Haynes describes this as Ignition Signal: "The ignition signal in the primary circuit is missing during engine cranking or running. This repair must be performed by a dealer service department"(???).

I fear this may involve the distributor. Can anyone at all help me? Thanks!

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recycled_toddler

Swapped out the coil and power transistor for a known good one, but got same thing: Ran great when cold, the hesitation and lack of power returned when the engine got to temperature...

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recycled_toddler

Just talked with Mount Vernon Nissan (KarMart); After telling the head mechanic what I did and swapped and all, he said 'distributor'. Request this thread be closed or deleted, please...thanks!

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Popkorn

Team RT you keep going guy. Thiz good info. You still got that head?

recycled_toddler

No prob, and thanks! About the head: Is that the 52A I mentioned some time ago? Yes, I still got 'er...full-concave chambers instead of the 'shrouded' valves and swirl ports...complete with valves, cam and rocker gear.

THE NISSAN DILEMMA IS SOLVED! After replacing the coil, the power transistor, the ignition switch electrical part and the stinkin' distributor to no avail...After untold bottles of fuel dryer and injector cleaner, after debating the new fuel filter's condition and wondering if this was the throttle position sensor or airflow meter, it came down to...

Get this...THE ECM MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE! Discovered when I took a $10 gamble at Pull-A-Part and got another ECM off a black Pulsar there. Swapped 'er out and 'Bridget' came back to her perky self! So...For anyone that gets a 'Code 21', remember: The brain box is part of the ignition primary circuit, too! Keep 'er in mind.

And a big NO THANKS to KarMart Nissan of Mount Vernon, WA, who took my $85 and did NOT put Bridget on the scope as I specified...and then had the gall to tell me it was running normally??? That survey card I got from them will be sent back...with negative remarks.

Anyways....we back! WOOHOO!

__________________
Later, taters; Off to a better place. Catch me there!