1987 Pulsar

kevlst · Sep 29th, 2004, 08:11 PM

I have a 1987 Pulsar with the CA16DE motor. I am having a problem with a few things; First it is kicking sown to running on only 2 cylinders sometimes and sometimes it is not. I also am having a problem with the fuse for the taillights and dash lights blowing. I thought that it was because the idiots that hooked up my stereo swrewed up the wiring, and they did, so i rewired the power going to it (I will never take my car back to one of those places I will do it myself from now on). That didn't fix the problem so now Im stumped and really getting frustrated because i just paid $2000.00 to have it fixed after the exhaust fire (clogged cat caused the fire and I had to replace all the shifting linkage and shifter (short throw) as well as the center console, carpet, and new exhaust from the motor back). If anyone has any suggestions They would be much appreciated!
Kevin

mememe · Oct 3rd, 2004, 03:16 AM

hey i have an 88pulsar NX and i was wondering what is the best exhaust for it?

recycled_toddler · Oct 3rd, 2004, 04:42 AM

kevlst: I'd look at your headlight switch; They are common weak spots in the Nissan Pulsars from 1987-90. They are also a bitch to find in junkyards because they're either (A) melted down, or (B) already taken.

I managed to get two Pulsar headlight switches, opened them up and replaced the plastic plungers (Which soften and melt) with brass ones from a Volvo switch, filed down to fit. No problems since. Lemme know if I can help... --RT

Spelchy · Oct 14th, 2004, 02:50 AM

I used to own the exact car you're talking about, and had similar problems. In fact, I was still having those problems until my poor little car got crushed by an explorer. But hey, I can probably send you in the right direction.

On the right hand side of the cylinder head is a small silver box. It's a crappily designed distributorless ignition system, this box has a tendency to fail. You might wanna check this with a volt checker thing. Then, the wires leading out of that to the cylinder head are connected to 4 coilpacks, which also sometimes crap out. Check your compression before you do anything else, if you have bad compression you might be in a bit of trouble... Anyway, these are things that fail often on the car, and they aren't replaced without some $$$. I reccomend playing with an electrical checker to see what isn't working. you can also switch the coilpacks around from cylinder to cylinder and then start the car to determine problems:
a) if the nonfiring cylinders follow your coilpack, then it's a coilpack or module problem
b) if the nonfiring cylinders stay the same, then it will be due to something else, check your compression/injectors.

good luck

Myetball · Oct 14th, 2004, 05:50 PM

I vote for ignitor. If the misfire stays in place no matter what coil is on what cylinder it's the ignitor.

You sure that fire didn't fry something else? Like any wires under the center console or maybe melt some wires under the carpet. I'd pull up the carpet and check for melted insulation on the wires running back to the tail lights. Harness should be pretty much the same as the '88 Pulsar shown below:

Spelchy · Oct 15th, 2004, 08:21 PM

... and another purdy peecture from the Myetball encyclopedia.

Myetball · Oct 15th, 2004, 08:47 PM

Well, bandwidth limit exceeded. I'll try and fix it later.

Mervic · Oct 16th, 2004, 12:05 AM

You supposed to ground the headunit to the chassis not the ground supplied from the stock radio. That black wire is negative when the radio is off and turn to positive when on which is connected to the dimmer switch if Iam not mistaken.