1999 Sentra won't start

Hey all,

I have a '99 Sentra XE with a 1.6L 4cyl that will not start. It was running fine, parked it and now I have this problem. The fuel pump runs and you can feel the injectors pulse, so I assume it is getting fuel. There is spark, but it appears to me to be a little weak. Rather then being a strong blue arc it is a weak orange spark. There is no check engine light and all obvious electrical connections are tight. Anyone have a suggestion on what to check? Does someone have the specs for resistance of the coil so I can check the condition of the windings? Other ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Mike Jones

[LIUSPEED]

it sounds like you need new plugs and wires

also check your coolant temp sensor cuz when that goes bad it wont start ( happened to me )

hope this helps.

[Katana200sx]

orange spark means fouled plugs

Orange spark from the redneck check (pull plug end of wire, insert screwdriver and hold near a good ground while cranking) would indicate fouled plugs? Interesting I immediatly suspected the coil as the spark would only jump about .25 inch and was a weak orange arc. Not a nice blue arc capable of jumping close to .5 inch like it should. I will check/replace the plugs and see if that helps. But does anyone know how to test the coil? Specs for primary/secondary winding resistance would be helpfull aswell.

Thanks,

Mike Jones

Could be the infamous magnetic cam and crank position sensors on this car.
Without the ecu knowing which cylinder is where you may still get spark but no start. There is a recall on these sensors in late model 1.8 sentras.

[BORNGEARHEAD]

There is a good chance you need to replace the distributor. I have seen it a lot.