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Hello, I have a 1998 Nissan 240SX, 5 speed manual transmission, 4 cylinder 2.4 engine, and only 76,880 miles on it. This car used to be used as a drift car so I do expect some issues with it. One of the major issues I’m having is when I start it it will stall after about 10 – 15 seconds later. I’ve tried restarting the car multiple times but it just won’t hold. When the car is on it idles perfectly but then it will just die out of nowhere. I think it’s something with the fuel pump but I would like someone else’s opinion. I’ve also heard something about an immobilizer light but I don’t really know what that is. Any thoughts?
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[quote=”NissanMaxx” post=68587]Hello, I have a 1998 Nissan 240SX, 5 speed manual transmission, 4 cylinder 2.4 engine, and only 76,880 miles on it. This car used to be used as a drift car so I do expect some issues with it. One of the major issues I’m having is when I start it it will stall after about 10 – 15 seconds later. I’ve tried restarting the car multiple times but it just won’t hold. When the car is on it idles perfectly but then it will just die out of nowhere. I think it’s something with the fuel pump but I would like someone else’s opinion. I’ve also heard something about an immobilizer light but I don’t really know what that is. Any thoughts?[/quote]
Start by checking your fuel pressure. If that checks out properly, check the the fuel injectors with noid lights to ensure they are not grounding out.
It also may be a clogged fuel filter if your car uses a replaceable one.
You may have an electrical issue with the ignition or the ECU, but I would start out looking at the fuel delivery problems. The fact that it starts but then dies out sounds like a weak or dying fuel pump or clogged filter.
-Karl
When I turn the key to on I get about 40 psi then it drops to about 37 before the engine quits. I’m going to try and swap out the fuel filter to see if it makes a difference. If I’m correct I should be getting 42 psi when turning the key to on and then it should drop to 35 so maybe a new fuel filter will make it a little better.
I might be wrong, but if 42 and 35 are your target pressures, and you are getting 40 and 37 . . I don’t think that is far enough off to make the engine quit. I would look at other possibilities, perhaps something ignition related, or an issue with the injectors not firing.
i’m not sure if it’s a common issue with the 240s but i have heard of this issue before, these guys bought one with the issue really cheap because the owner didn’t know what the cause was and it turned out the alternator was playing up, lack of current = no spark, might not hurt to get a multimeter and check the voltage on the battery and see if the alternator adds power, if i’m not mistaken you want 12.4 or thereabouts with the engine off and normally closer to 14 volts when running
Well I swapped the fuel filter and did notice that the car was able to hold a lot longer. I honestly thought I fixed the problem but after about 40 seconds it shut off on me again. 🙁 Fuel pressure is up to where it should be. Definitely not the alternator, that was the first thing I checked and it was perfect. I’ll take a look at the injectors, see if I clean them or swap them out.
see if this helps. start at ec-28
[quote=”NissanMaxx” post=68698]Well I swapped the fuel filter and did notice that the car was able to hold a lot longer. I honestly thought I fixed the problem but after about 40 seconds it shut off on me again. 🙁 Fuel pressure is up to where it should be. Definitely not the alternator, that was the first thing I checked and it was perfect. I’ll take a look at the injectors, see if I clean them or swap them out.[/quote]
There are two other things on my mind after you brought this up… Fuel pressure regulator and fuel pressure volume… Also, without vacuum to the regulator, the fuel pressure should increase.
There should be a vacuum line going to your fuel pressure regulator, check that vacuum line to ensure you have no fuel leakage in there.
Also, the fuel pressure may be good, but the volume may not be enough…
Just my 2 cents.
-Karl
If the fuel volume is too low, once the engine starts, and the injectors are opening and spraying fuel into the intake, wouldn’t the low volume supplied by the pump cause the pressure to drop as well?
[quote=”Tomh” post=68723]If the fuel volume is too low, once the engine starts, and the injectors are opening and spraying fuel into the intake, wouldn’t the low volume supplied by the pump cause the pressure to drop as well?[/quote]
Although it is rare, you can have a fuel pump deliver pressure but not volume. It can be caused by a worn out pump, restricted lines, low voltage to the pump or a very low amount of fuel in the tank.
Karl
I don’t think it’s a fuel issue anymore. I checked the injectors, they all look fairly new. I called the previous owner and he said the fuel pump was replaced about 2 months ago and injectors about 7 months ago. I removed the fuel pump, looked brand new honestly. I haven’t looked at the fuel pressure regulator but I think I should be looking more into an ignition problem and college man, I would love to try the that procedure but the problem is I don’t think my car will be running long enough for me to do it. 😛
[quote=”NissanMaxx” post=68787]I don’t think it’s a fuel issue anymore. I checked the injectors, they all look fairly new. I called the previous owner and he said the fuel pump was replaced about 2 months ago and injectors about 7 months ago. I removed the fuel pump, looked brand new honestly. I haven’t looked at the fuel pressure regulator but I think I should be looking more into an ignition problem and college man, I would love to try the that procedure but the problem is I don’t think my car will be running long enough for me to do it. :P[/quote]
Interesting that the pump and injectors were just replaced recently…..
I would check the regulator and then inspect all the fuel lines for kinks or bends…
After that, I would start looking at the ignition system….
Just my 2 cents.
-Karl
Well I thought it was strange how the injectors and pump was replaced recently too and now this is happening, but this was used as a drift car and well things break easily. Especially things related to fuel. So it did make sense why he had replaced it recently, you have end up replacing parts frequently on a drift car. 😛 But after thinking about it I think your right. I may be able to find a cheap regulator, just to throw it in there see what it does. Then take a look at the fuel lines and I’ll try to see what happens.
OK well I took a look at my fuel lines and I was surprised to see there were a few bends and cuts. I went to the junkyard and managed to find an Altima which had the same fuel lines so I swapped that out. I also took off the regulator off that Altima and put it into my 240SX. I started the car up and it was perfect. 😀 I let it run for a good 5 minutes then I took it for a test drive. In the middle of the test drive I noticed my car started to misfire, but I can fix that myself. I already planned on putting new NGK spark plugs and coil packs. If I can’t seem to fix my misfire though, I’ll continue this thread. Thanks guys! 🙂
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