20 Most Recent 2003 Nissan Sentra - Page 2 Questions & Answers

You can go to kellybluebook.com and get more information on this vehicle.

13 years old, what service history?

The Sentra has a screen type filter which a part of the in-tank fuel pump. It is not considered to be a replaceable part unless the fuel pump is replaced.

Take extra caution while performing dirve cycles on public roadways. Drive cycles can be difficult to follow under normal driving conditions. Begin by: - Start the engine. Idle the engine in drive for two and a half minutes with the A/C and rear defroster on. - Turn the A/C and rear defrost off, and accelerate to 55 mph at half throttle. - Hold at a steady speed of 55 mph for three minutes. - Decelerate (coast down) to 20 mph without braking or depressing the clutch. - Accelerate back to 55 to 60 mph at ¾ throttle. - Hold at a steady speed of 55 to 60 mph for five minutes. - Decelerate (coast down) to a stop without braking. If all other emissions systems are functioning properly, completing the drive cycle above will set the "readiness flags" required to pass the smog check. It will not hurt to perform the drive cycle 2 or 3 times before the smog test.

The IAT on the 1.8 engine is located in driver side follow before the air box and you will see a sensor thats the intale air temp sensor, hope that helps

Here you go

If you have overheated your car recently, then you possibly have a blown head gasket. Take off your oil fill cap (with engine off) and inspect to see if there is a milky substance underneath the cap. If so, bad news- head gasket. You can also check the oil dipstick for the same substance to verify bad head gasket, but usually it has to be pretty bad (gasket) or driven for a while before exhibiting any signs. The oil fill cap is a pretty good indicator. With the car cool, you can open the radiator cap and look and smell for anything other than coolant (fuel smell or oil slick). If so, probable head gasket.

daytime running light problem Nissan Forum Here you go

does the car overheat at idle or travelling down the road? if the thermostat was not changed, thats first step. checking it is replacing it. possibly air-bound. then i would suspect a headgasket problem.

Possible leaky injectors flooding engine and takes time to clear. Use fuel pressure gauge to watch what happens when you shut it off. (Note if this is correct, injectors can often be cleaned to fix this)

Hi Carolyn: Sounds like quite the adventure. If I understand correctly, the car ran fine when you took it home, and you haven't used it since. When you tried to start it, did it spin over and not fire, or did it not spin over at all? I'd be suspicious that you may have had some contamination in the fuel tank and the rough bumps may have gotten some of it into the fuel system. I'd check the fuel filter and consider putting an additive into the gas tank to make sure there's no moisture problem. Time to go back to the lake!

You need to scan for trouble codes. Autozone and other parts stores will hook up a code scanner for free, and tell you the code numbers. Then you or a tech will start the diagnosis from there. When the light comes on with the engine running, the engine computer has detected a fault in the engine management which it controls. It turns the light on to let you know there is a fault, and an associated trouble code, or at least a pending trouble code, has been stored in memory. All you have to do is plug in a code reader or scanner into the diagnostic port under the dash, turn the key to on, not start, and the codes will be displayed. The diagnostic port is a federally required universal connector. All cars and trucks sold in the U.S. after 1996 models have the exact same connector, for communicating with the vehicle's main computer. The system is called OBD-II, for On Board Diagnostics, second generation, and is an example of good government regulations for the cleanest burning engines possible...less air pollution.

here is a copy of the factory service manual for your 2003 nissan sentra http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Sentra/2003_Sentra/se.pdf goto page 3 for the diagram and where to unbolt the 4 bolts

This system has to be purged of all air. This has to be done at a shop that has this tool. It basically vacuums out all the atmosphere just like an HVAC vacuum pump. It then sucks in the coolant thus no air pockects.

does it crank? if it cranks really fast it may be a timing belt problem.

The car may not recognized its key. I would try another key or see if there is a code for an unauthorized key.

Two things. The ground wire from the cluster is loose or the power wire to the cluster may be loose at the connector.