99 Frontier no start problems

Feb 15th, 2003, 09:48 PM

Hey everyone I need some input if possible. I have a 99 frontier 4x4 xe 6 cylinder. While driving earlier today, I started to slow down as I approached a red light. It started to run really rough, then died. After trying to start it for a couple of minutes, (with no luck) it finally fired up again, only to run rough and die again within 30 seconds. I pushed it into a parking lot, and started checking it out. It has a half tank of gas according to the gauge, but just to be sure I added a gas can full. I tried to start it for over an hour, with the same results. It would occasionally fire up, run rough and die. If I gave it any gas when it started, it would instantly die. This truck has 53000 miles on it, and I have not had any other problems other than a defective battery. I ended up leaving it in the parking lot (in a seedy part of town!!). I just could not get it to start. I'm thinking maybe it's got a clogged fuel filter? Or possibly a fuel pump problem. Is the fuel pump inside the tank or somewhere near(couldn't see it with the skid plate on) Anyone out there have any experiences they can share? I would really appreciate it!

Thanks

Mr.Mike! · Feb 15th, 2003, 11:53 PM

engines run because fuel, spark, air and compression all at the right times allow them to.

Check spark - get a spark tester from an auto parts store. One end goes on plug, one end goes on the boot that goes on the spark plug. Crank engine. No spark - theres (perhaps one of the) problem(s).

While at the auto parts store, get a can of oxygen sensor safe carburetor cleaner. Remove the lid off the air filter housing. while one person is cranking the engine, spray carb cleaner so the vacuum sucks it in the engine. Does the engine then fire up and run while you are spraying carb cleaner (an accessory fuel source) into the engine? Then you could be fighting a fuel supply problem.

With the air filter lid off, is there anything blocking the engine from breathing - is the filter plugged, does the engine run with the air filter out, but not spraying carb cleaner?

Compression - your engine proably did not have a major melt down with the few amount of miles that you it has, so I would not worry about that. Just check all you connectors and make sure the distributor is not loose.

Good luck, I hope that helps.

himilefrontier · Feb 16th, 2003, 04:26 AM

My 4 cyl Frontier used to do that when it rained,mostly (but not always) after running through a puddle.I would pull the distributor cap-not wet inside.If I let it sit,I could eventually start it and it would run on 2 cyl's until the moisture(wherever it was) evaporated.The problem persisted for about 50k miles until I changed the cap and rotor (1st time,used dealer parts).Then it stopped doing it!I guess that was the problem. I hope this helps.And BTW,I have 190k on mine and have yet to kill a fuel pump(and I've only changed the filter 2x).If it was the filter it would idle,but not run much above that when fuel demand increased.

Feb 16th, 2003, 11:28 AM

Hey thanks for the input guys. I have checked to see if it's getting spark, which it was. I'm on my way back over there this morning to see if I can get it rolling. Hopefully it will be something basic. I just ran out of light yesterday and didn't have any tools with me.

Thanks again.

Feb 16th, 2003, 05:00 PM

Well, I had a friend of mine tow me to the bodyshop where we work. After a little hunting, I figured out that my fuel pump is not working. My friend has the exact same truck, and when you turn the igniton on, you can here the whirring of the fuel pump for about 7-8 seconds. That isn't happening on my truck. It's not the fuse either, I tried replacing it with no luck. Looking in the crash book, I see that there is both a fuel pump, and a fuel sending unit. I'm gonna call Nissan tommorow and see if they can help me figure out exactly which one it is before I replace them both. Has anyone else had to replace their fuel pump with so few miles on it? It seems like it should hold up longer that 53000 miles.

Mr.Mike! · Feb 16th, 2003, 05:06 PM

Yeah - It should hold up longer than that. If you have a test light great - if not, they're like 5 or six bucks at harborfreight or about double that at a brandname parts store (still a good tool to have). Test for power to the fuel pump. If it is getting good power but not doing anything with that power, then you proably have your culprit. If it is not getting good power, keep tracing power back as far as you can. Good luck, hope that helps.

Feb 16th, 2003, 08:36 PM

It is your fuel pump or wires to it.

himilefrontier · Feb 17th, 2003, 02:43 AM

could be the fuel pump relay too.The relays are in a black box under the hood(pass side I believe)

Feb 17th, 2003, 05:42 PM

I was doing a little checking on my truck during lunch. I'm getting power to the plug that goes into the tank sending unit/fuel pump. So it is my fuel pump that is faulty. It kind of has me a little paranoid. Once I replace it, am I gonna have to worry about it going out in another 52000 miles? I drive this truck up into remote areas to go fly fishing on rugged 4x4 only roads. I also go snowboarding almost every weekend and would hate to pay a tow bill down from the resorts. Man I really love this truck but I am losing a little faith in it right now. I guess I am lucky that it broke down close enough to my work this time. Sorry guys, I'm just venting my frustrations. This is my second Nissan, the first was a 95 regular cab, 2 wheel drive. I drove the wheels off of that thing with no problems at all. Hopefully I got a truck that had a defective fuel pump, and this won't happen to me again sometime soon. Anyhow, thanks to those of you who gave me insights and help. I'm counting down the next couple of hours so I can drop my fuel tank and put this new pump in.