Argh! I've dumped quite a bit of money into this problem so far, and no luck whatsoever.
Car: 92 Sentra XE 5spd
Problem: no start
Diagnosis: no spark (timing light)
It all started a week after I did my clutch swap. When I had put everything back in, I guess I didn't get the harness to the distributor and ign coil rerouted properly, because one week later the car died and refused to start. I noticed that there was no spark, and that the orange wire to the distributor was shorted against a bracket. I removed the bracket (which seemed to do nothing but hold the wire in one spot) and inspected the wire - it looked to be in good condition, aside from a tad bit of missing insulation.
When the wire was moved, spark returned. I then spent another few days trying to get it going, wondering why ether wouldn't start the car (because at this point I was getting spark). I replaced the distributor cap and rotor. I pulled the valve cover and inspected the timing chain (tight and good as new). I still had no luck.
Next step was to replace the ignition coil. With a new coil, the somewhat inconsistent spark I was getting before seemed more consistent, though still off somewhat. The engine got to the point it would actually fire maybe 3 times in a row on the ether.
Irritated, I continued by trying to pull the codes off the ECM. That's when I observed two rather nasty problems - 1, the ECM wouldn't go into diagnostics mode (the CEL light would dim slightly when I turned the pot, but never extinguish or flash), and 2, the fuel pump would run indefinitely with the key in the ON position and the engine not running.
Time for a new ECM. Found one, exactly the same model (checked the #'s), $70 later at an overpriced junkyard, I had it installed. Still no start, but this ECM would go into diagnostics, and it shut the pump off after 3 seconds like it should. Strangely enough, changing the ECM caused SPARK TO DISAPPEAR.
So I read the codes, and got a code 21. I understood that this correlated somewhat with a code 12 (thanks to extensive reading) and pulled the distributor. I sprayed some ether once I had the cover off, and managed to clean it out pretty well. I then proceeded to test the CAS according to Haynes, and I got a really hopeful sign when I was spinning the shaft and listening to the pump click on and off every 180 degrees. Bolted it back up, no start. Still a code 21.
Fuck, must be the transistor. I bought a new one at Autozone, for another $70. Just installed it today. Reset the ECM. Tried starting. NO START. NO SPARK. CODE 21.
Please. Help.
I'm a broke college student with no time and a dire need for transportation, and between three mechanics and myself we just can't seem to fix this car.
ok, this has to do with the ignition signal circuit. The ignition signal in the primary circuit is not entered during engine cranking or running. check the harness and connector. also check the fuses in the box next to your battery...primarily the ignition fuse.
ok, this has to do with the ignition signal circuit. The ignition signal in the primary circuit is not entered during engine cranking or running. check the harness and connector. also check the fuses in the box next to your battery...primarily the ignition fuse.
OK, there was an engine cont fuse that was blown. Replaced it, same problems. Anyone have a handy wiring diagram?
OK, there was an engine cont fuse that was blown. Replaced it, same problems. Anyone have a handy wiring diagram?
I can run off copies of your diagram from the local library here for free; Just need your address to send them. PM me with your address and I'll ship it over. I'm having the same Code 21 issue with MY '87 Pulsar, but it runs, albeit crappily. I got the E16i. Keep in touch, let me know what you find, I've swapped out a lot of stuff on mine, too, including a new O2 sensor. No dice.
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Later, taters; Off to a better place. Catch me there!
I can run off copies of your diagram from the local library here for free; Just need your address to send them. PM me with your address and I'll ship it over. I'm having the same Code 21 issue with MY '87 Pulsar, but it runs, albeit crappily. I got the E16i. Keep in touch, let me know what you find, I've swapped out a lot of stuff on mine, too, including a new O2 sensor. No dice.
I think I may have figured out another interesting bit of my problem. The relay that's on the ECM bracket gets really, really hot.
When I put in the new ECM, and noticed it still didn't start, I started wondering about that relay. I figured a quick and dirty way to test it would be to pull the fuel pump relay under the hood, which was also green and said 12 V, and see if it would run the fuel pump.
It did, but after talking to Nissan today they say that the relay isn't necessarily the same, and sure enough, the faded numbers on the fuel pump relay that I can barely read don't match up with the numbers on the ECM relay.
Now the relay gets hot and there's no spark, and the computer throws code 21. In the interim, can you look at the diagrams and tell me what that relay is wired to? I'm pretty sure it's part of the primary ignition circuit.
The relay that's on the ECM bracket gets really, really hot.
When I put in the new ECM...I started wondering about that relay...
I'm wondering, too; Where on the car is it located: under the hood, under the seat next to the ECM, on the fuse panel...??? I don't even know what that relay controls. I'd help, but the wiring diagram I got you doesn't indicate placement of these components and I need more clues from you. Hit me back...
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Later, taters; Off to a better place. Catch me there!
No spark, code 21, even with new transistor
Linear Mode
