Car ran good, then ran like crap, then died!

Serban · 09-10-2003, 03:07 AM

Yup, thats right, I leave the house, car runs good, I stop at a light, then take off, and it stumbles really bad, hesitates, backfires, doing all sorts of things, then finally dies, I had to coast into a parking lot. I tried to start the car, and it would crank up, but then die immediately.

I changed the starter yesterday, had the battery tested 2 times, both times it was good. Tried different spark plug wires, because it did something similar not long ago, car didnt die completely though, just ran like crap over 4k rpm.

I had the car towed to a mechanic, because I'm getting tired of changing out something, and thats not the problem. So I left it there. The guy says I need a new alternator (mine has 190k miles on it, so I'm not surprised), new battery, but bigger, I need something stronger since I have mine in the trunk. And I need to run a thicker ground cable ALL the way from the front. I have a 4 gauge ground cable grounded to the frame in the back, it worked good for many months.

Ok, now, would changing the alternator, and bigger battery help my problem? Could the MAF sensor be going bad? I have been having this problem for about a week now, on and off. The car would run good, and then run like crap at about 4k+ rpm. I only had it die on me one other time, and I jjust kept messing with plugs, and then it started.

I need to know what might be causing this, I cant keep driving my car every day in fear that it will die on me again.

Thanks guys.

Harris · 09-10-2003, 10:14 AM

If the alternator was going bad, you would have problems with it on starting the car mostly. Best way to know if the alternator is bad is by checking the voltage. It should have a voltage of between 13-14 volts when engine is running. I don't think changing the alternator would remove your problem unless ofcourse it isn't charging right anyway. Same goes for the battery.

I think I'd be right if I said that its your MAF where the problem is.

vladha · 09-10-2003, 08:44 PM

I was going to make some wiseass comment about the
problems you've had since going turbo... but, this just sucks
for you.

Hope it's just your MAF, like Harris mentioned

Later... and good luck,

Mark

Serban · 09-10-2003, 10:13 PM

Mark, please, no smart ass comments. I spent $450 in the last 2 days, and the car will still not run.

vladha · 09-10-2003, 10:43 PM

Serban, you've been a good friend to me and even Stephen.
Normally I have a really wierd sense of humor... but, I agree,
now is not the time.

You're one of the good guys on the forum and to meet... this
karmic crap shouldn't be happening to you. I hope you get it worked
out and fixed... gremlins are sometimes hard to track down.

Good luck,

Mark(wiseacre, eh? Nyuck nyuck)

Creagach · 09-11-2003, 05:06 PM

bad alternator won't cause your car to backfire, exhaust leaks, bad maf, or vacuum leaks will though

Fosters · 09-11-2003, 10:06 PM

My thoughts would be ignition related, namely your coil going bad. I'm sure the Sentras have an igniter also (should work in conjunction w/ the coil); I don't have any experience w/ Nissan ignitions, but Hondas have a common problem of igniters and coils going bad. They usually will backfire at first, and then won't start once all the way bad.

When the car doesn't start, does it have spark?

Check those and give us an update.

Josh

Serban · 09-13-2003, 10:38 PM

Just an update. After spending almost $500 buying crap I didnt need, I finally got the car started. Turns out the distributor was bad. Thanks to Mr. Miko he helped me solve this problem. Wish I could have found out sooner and not waste so much money on things I did not need.

irf305 · 09-15-2003, 01:31 AM

I did the same thing you did...New O2, MAF Sensor, 3 caps and rotors, 3 sets of plugs and a bunch of other stuff...Tuesday it dies on me...Turns out the screw that goes through the center of the distributor(where the rotor goes)came out and so did the shaft...bought a dist. from a junkyard for 60 bucks then realized i coulda fixed mine...Oh well...Least it runs now

Andreas Miko · 09-15-2003, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast91SER

Just an update. After spending almost $500 buying crap I didnt need, I finally got the car started. Turns out the distributor was bad. Thanks to Mr. Miko he helped me solve this problem. Wish I could have found out sooner and not waste so much money on things I did not need.

Hey SERBAN you stick to comps and I will stick to cars. Thats why when I have a comp problem I ask you because I have no clue. When it comes to cars just ask me before you spend the cash.

stuofsci02 · 09-15-2003, 09:06 PM

Hmmm.. I wonder if I have a similar thing. My NX2000 runs like a piece of crap. Slow as hell and won't make any power above 4500RPM. It is just my to and fromwork car, but it would be nice if it would run properly. I have put 4000 miles on it since I got it.

stuofsci02 · 09-15-2003, 09:12 PM

Also my SR20 sounds like a diesel, there is so much valve noise. Does anyone know how to check out what is going on with my valves?

Harris · 09-15-2003, 11:11 PM

SRs are naturally noisy. Anyhow, to see if your valves are messed up (bent or what have you), the only way is by opening 'er up. Good luck.