Hey guys, I have a 1996 Nissan Sentra and it doesn't have sparks. Me and my father-in-law changed the head gasket and ever since we can't start the engine. We don't have any spark. We put new crankshaft position sensor, new distributor and still nothing. I measured the 6 pin connector to the dist. and I have voltage on #5, also on one of the 2-pin connector to the dist. All the fuses are OK. What else could possibly be? I was thinking about the output signal from the ECM to the distributor, if any? Can someone give me a clue? Thanks.
Trying to diagnose and replace whatever is causing your Nissan 1.6L or 1.8L Sentra (or NX or 200SX) to Crank but Not Start can have you pulling your hair out. Especially since so many things can cause a no start condition... like: a BAD fuel pump, a BAD crankshaft position sensor, a blown head gasket, and the list can go on.
Well, there is 'light a the end of the tunnel' because with a solid diagnostic strategy, you can do it yourself and replace the failed part, whichever it may be (or take it to have it done). In this article I'll show you the basics of testing/troubleshooting such a problem.
Here are the contents of this article at a quick glance:
How to Test the Starter Motor (Nissan 1.6L, 1.8L).
No Start Condition BasicsThe most basic and the most important thing you need to know, to begin troubleshooting the No Start Condition, is that your Nissan Sentra's engine needs 3 things to start and run. These are:
When your Nissan Sentra Cranks but Does Not Start...it's because one of these 3 things is missing from the mix.
So, troubleshooting the problem requires that you and I check for Spark (with a spark tester), check fuel pressure, and if necessary, check the engine's health with a compression test.
I'll go into more specific details in the following headings:
1.) Ignition System
2.) Fuel System
3.) Engine Mechanical System
OK, the list of possible things that can go wrong looks pretty long... but it is rare to see (or have) two different components go BAD from two separate systems at the same time.
The cool thing is, is that there is a diagnostic strategy that you can use to figure out exactly what's wrong with your particular No Start problem. Let's find out more about it in the next subheading...
No Start 1: Checking for SparkThe starting point, for any Cranks but Does Not Start condition should be testing the ignition system first. Specifically, making sure that all of the 4 cylinders are getting spark.
Your Nissan will either have a distributor-type ignition system or the more modern COP ignition coil system... either way, the first thing you and I need to do, to find the root cause of the No Start condition, is to make sure all four spark plug wires or all four COP ignition coils are sparking.
If the Ignition System is the cause of the No Start, you're not gonna' see spark at any of the 4 spark plug wires. If there is spark being fed to all 4 cylinders... then we can correctly deduce that the ignition system is not behind the No Start condition and can move on to other tests (like testing fuel pressure).
Remember, the idea behind checking for spark is to see if all of the 4 engine cylinders are getting spark. Here are the most common causes of a No Spark result:
CASE 1: Spark was present in all 4 cylinders This result tells you three very important things: 1.) the crank sensor is functioning correctly, 2.) the ignition control module (also known as the igniter or power transistor) is OK -this applies to distributor-type systems, and 3.) the ignition coil is good. You don't have to spend any time testing them or any money replacing them.
Your next step is to verify fuel pressure. Go to No Start 2: Checking fuel.
CASE 2: Spark was NOT present in all of the cylinders (DISTRIBUTOR TYPE): This test result tells you without a doubt that the No Start Condition of your Nissan Sentra (NX or 200SX) is due to a malfunction in the Ignition System.
Now, with no spark in any of the engine cylinders, this what I would suggest:
CASE 3: Spark was NOT present in all of the cylinders (COP IGNITION COIL TYPE) This test result tells you without a doubt that the No Start Condition of your Nissan is due to a malfunction in the Ignition System.
It's almost impossible for all 4 COP ignition coils to fail at the exact same time... so the most likely cause for this No Spark condition is a BAD crankshaft position sensor.
Hi , the car was running before ?
if was your trouble is the timing marks are off the
right position
Hi roko77
I think you have to check thoroughly ignition wiring for continuity, good and clean contacts.make sure also ground connection is tight an not broken.
Hi and welcome to FixYa,
Initially, to my understanding, 1995 to 1997 Sentras share the same ECU (except the '97 1.6L). Below ECU pin configuration may be of help.
Additionally, depending on the regional version that you have, the '96 Sentra may be sharing the same electronic ignition with an Altima. If so, this might interest you.
Good luck and Thank you for using FixYa.
Appreciate the postback/comment.Â
Pls re-check:crakshaft position sensor - white wire goes to pin 53 of ECM, black goes to pin 51;
KPS sensor on the distributor - white/red goes  to pins 56 & 61 (must be +12 when IGN switch is RUN/START), black/white to ECM pins 41 & 45, blue to pins 44 & 40, black wire is not connected;
power transistor - green goes to + of IGN coil (must be pulsating when engine is cranked). It also goes through a resistor to pin 2 of the ECM. White/black goes to pin 1 of ECM (must be pulsating when engine is cranked). Black wire is not connected.
Have you checked the power transistor?
Any updates on the check of the transistor?
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Do below to determine if its fuel or spark issue
Disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have
helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you
have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure
to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to
the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping
blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to
the coil/coil packs,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module,
cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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I already tried that. No spark on any of the spark plugs. Fuel is fine. Tried with a new distributor and still nothing. Where the ignition module switch is located? The crank and cam sensors are new.
Thanks Benimur,
but what do I do with this chart. How do I check all this on the chart? Do I check it somehow from the ECU? Thanks.
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