[georgyop]

Hello,
I just wanted to get some feedback on a cold weather starting problem that I have been having for a few years now with my 1991 Nissan Sentra SE with the GA16DE 1.6L motor.
This car starts and runs fine when ambient temperatures are above 20 F or so. When the temperature drops, the starter motor turns , but the engine does not fire, at least until there are many attempts to start it with the ignition.
There are unusual sounds or smells when starting, just lack of combustion. Typically, this GA16DE usually fires after 15 minutes or so of performing this ritual, but today, it was -2 F in the morning and the battery ran out of CCA's before it started. I am the original owner of this car of 127K miles, and have taken excellent care of it through the years. The plugs are Bosche Platinum, with less than 100 miles on them. These plugs have always worked great in this type of car for me, (by the way). The plug wires are 1 year old, cap and rotor are 8 months old, the fuel filter is 8 mos old as well.
The O2 sensor is also 1 Year old. I have never had injectors, distributor, coil, coolant temperature sensor, alternator, or the starter motor replaced. Again, the car runs fine when warm, no fluids are leaking, I am getting good gas milage. I have a newer battery with 550 CCA rating. Now the battery is back on the 2A charger for the night. I live in N.E. Ohio and sadly it is not looking like it is going to make it through the winter unless I get down to what the problem is.... Car is kept ouside since the Z is taking up space in garage.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!!
Thanks,
George

 

[georgyop]

Thanks for the recommendations

Hello,
I have newer SAE 5W-30 , Dura-blend, semi-synthetic in it right now, and was considering putting in a heated dipstick from J.C.Whitney for $16 + s/h?
I was wondering about the engine coolant sensor replacement option as well. AutoZone sells this coolant sensor for $18.00. Is is possible that GA16DE might be getting too much gas? I have read some postings since I noticed, that if I don't engage the throttle, then it starts better. If it sits for a few minutes, it also tends to start better. I have not cleaned any grounds to the alternator. The Sentra started this morning after about 10 minutes, it was 21 degrees F though. The car runs well after a few minutes of warming up.
The battery was on my 2A charger all night, so it was 100% charged when I turned the key.
Let me know what you think,
Thanks, George





Also if you can, get an electric engine warmer.

Have you tried jumping battery from a running engine? maybe those will give you the extra ampers your GA is needing.[/QUOTE]

 

[georgyop]

Replaced Engine coolant temerature sensor

Hi ,
I replaced the ECTS last night. The cost of the sensor was $18 at AutoZone. I used a 19mm deep socket to clear the plastic terminal, then it installed looking right down on top of it, kind of like a spark plug. The car idled rather high for a few minutes while the computer adjusted to the new sensor. It came back down to about 850 RPM after 4 minutes of ideling.
The old sensor was worn, since it had green corrosion on the terminals, and the core that inserts into the coolant was about 1/3 the diameter of the new sensor. I guess after 13 years, it just kind of dissolved \anodized in the coolant somewhat... it looks like brass anyways. I also bought a 65W heated dip stick for $10 from there, but it won't fit all of the way into the tube, so I am taking it back tonight. Car started fine this morning, battery was on charger all night, ambient temperature was at 31 F though.
George

 

[georgyop]

Starting problem is fixed now!

Hello all,
The ECU seems to finally have adjusted to the new engine coolant temperature sensor. It took a whole week before the GA16DE ECU adjusted for the new sensor. It was idleing at 1500 and almost stalling for the first week after the sensor was replaced. The car was still not starting well until that week had passed. I also replaced the fuel filter, air filter and a vacuum line a couple of days after it was starting well just to be safe, but they were still pretty good.
The car starts all the time at any temperature now on the first try.

On the down note, my car was broken into last week and all of my Clarion stereo. What a trade off! A working car or a working stereo, but not both. Well, hopefully State Farm comes to the rescue!
Let me know if you see anybody trying to sell stolen audio equipment near Akron. I have turned the serial numbers into the Police already.
Thanks,