Startup problem on 2006 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Manual

[Sze Cheng]

I did not drive my 06 Sentra for about 6 months, just replaced drive belts and new battery by myself. Sometimes, i have start- up problem in which i hear crank but the engine would not start up for the first 2 attempts and it will start up at the most the third attempt. It sometimes starts up very smooth at the first attempt. I have checked all harnesses that connected to the battery, and they look okay. Is that problem related to the belts tension if i did not adjust the belts tension correctly (i am not sure if they are accurate or not)? Is that problem also related to the spark plugs since they are still original spark plugs with 71k miles on them?

Thanks,

Topic

[Aaron Hammingh]

I had starting problems on my Ranger a few months back. I was thinking it was my starter for the longest time. Some days I’d get no crank at all, so I’d crawl underneath and tap it a few times and most of the time it’d start up. A few weeks ago I figured since the spark plugs hadn’t been changed since I’ve owned it I’d go ahead and do that. Since doing that, amongst also changing the fuel filter, air filter, and an oil change my engine has fired every time without hassle. Though it may not solve the problem, it wouldn’t hurt to change the spark plugs, IMO.

[college man]

Is the check engine light on? if so post codes.
I would suspect fuel pressure. before starting the
car.cycle the key on and off 3-4 times without starting
it.Then try and start it.see if it starts up.If so fuel
pump would be suspect.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-no-start-problems

[Sze Cheng]

check engine light is not on. I will test fuel pressure. What about replacing spark plugs? It is about 71k miles now.. Thx

[college man]

You could check them.But the plugs are good for 100k.

[exceptionalchris]

It sounds like it could be your key cylinder is going bad. Then again it is hard to get all the facts right over the computer. Sure why not replace the plugs, but like college man said
if they are the OEM ones then they are still good.

[Sze Cheng]

i have tired to cycle the key ignition a few times before turning on the engine. It has been working excellent for the last 3 times in the morning, i have not seen the problem again. I will keep doing that for a day or two. Once i know for sure if my fuel pump doesn’t have enough pressure, what should i do next? Replace it? I just don’t understand if the pump has a problem with pressure, how come i don’t get any problems while driving?

[college man]

It may have a problem priming or its not coming on to prime.
The car drives fine no hesitation or power loss?

[Sze Cheng]

by the way, just want to share another piece of information with you college man, i did not drive it for 9 months and just kept it outside. I have started driving it a couple weeks ago. Do i need to prime it after it was sitting for 9 months? How to do it? As far as i know, i have no power loss at each gear.. thanks again

[college man]

If the car sat for 9 months. Your fuel is stale. The fuel
pump is self priming when the ignition is turned on. You
should be able to hear the fuel pump prime when the key is
turned to on.

[Sze Cheng]

my engine light was on with the code of P0455, then i was told to replace a fuel cap by an AutoZone salesperson. Discounted the battery, reconnected it a few minutes later. The engine light was off for roughly 50 miles, then back on again. I tried to do it second time with reseting the battery, the engine light was back on about 50-60 miles. it is still on now, went back to AutoZone again, they figured out with the same code.

Autozone gave me a slip for the code, the code would be one/some of the four problems;
1. Faulty fuel cap.
2. purge system leak
3. faulty canister vent control valve
4. fault purge control valve

Is the code P0455 also related to the hard start problem i am having now?

[college man]

The p0455 should not cause the hard start issue.

http://www.justanswer.com/nissan/5qzcl-nissan-datsun-sentra-s-2006-nissan-sentra-service-engine.html

[Sze Cheng]

Do you have any idea how to start with fixing the code and hard start

[college man]

For the hard start.we need to figure out if the fuel
pump is active when cranking and if so are we delivering
the proper fuel volume and pressure. The p0455 here is some
troubleshooting.

http://www.justanswer.com/nissan/5qzcl-nissan-datsun-sentra-s-2006-nissan-sentra-service-engine.html

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Sentra/2006_Sentra/ec.pdf

[Kasra]

Fuel sounds old. Get it going and use up the fuel. Also give it a tune up. Cars don’t like standing around.

[Jose]

the Nissan service manual recommends to replace spark plugs every 105,000 miles. If you do make sure is the NGK PLFR5A-11 double platinum tipped. try letting the fuel pump priming for about 10 seconds before cranking see if that makes a difference. there was flaw the 05 sentra with the fuel return system.

[Author]

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