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Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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bennyb
Novice
May 29, 2011, 6:30 PM
Post #1 of 9
(9431 views)
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Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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2002 Nissan Sentra GXE
1.8l engine
74,500 miles
Hopefully someone on here might be able to help me as I’m a bit stumped (and so is my mechanic at the moment)
I have a 02 Nissan Sentra GXE with a 1.8 engine. I'm having problems with my car keeps on stalling while driving on me. So far in the past three days it has happened 7 times on me. Thankfully it is only happening when it going slow (less than 10mph) and again thankfully it’s always been in good spots for a car to stall in (parking lots, etc.). Before the other day when this started I’ve never had problems like this before with the car. I think in the entire time I’ve owned my car it’s only not started maybe 3 or 4 times but would start right away if you waited about 10 minutes or so.
Now, when it stalls it is about 50/50 with not starting back up again at all, or starting right away. It is always when I am driving slow so far, and what happens is just the steering locks up and the lights on the dash turn on and the engine shuts off. I am having no idea what is causing this. My mechanic thought it was the camshaft and crankshaft sensors so he replaced those yesterday since he didn't see a spark when it was dead and he was trying to start it. However even after the fix the car is still having the problems with stalling. Last night after work it wouldn't start and finally started after about 10 minutes and today when attemping to going to work it wouldn't start at all. Sadly even if it does get started i'm becoming very scared to drive it as i'm afraid it will do this and I will be in a crash and get injuried.
One interesting thing I thought was immediately after he fixed the two sensors the AC was running VERY VERY hot, as in when I had the max a/c on hotter air was coming out than when I had Max Heat on.
Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this or had a similar
problem? If it helps I just had a bunch of work at the beginning of May
done on the car including new drive belt, new radiator hose, brake
system flush, power steering flush, fuel injection service, and a
coolant flush.
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speed
User
May 30, 2011, 11:56 AM
Post #2 of 9
(9408 views)
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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cars need three things to run. Spark, fuel, and compression. to me it sounds like your mechanic has confirmed you ahve spark as have you since your car starts up sometimes. it also leadsem to believe you have compression or it would not start at all. so in my opinion i think you have a faulty fuel pump or wiring and your fuel system needs to be checked, it could be as simple as a clogged fuel filter or faulty wiring, or it could be a fuel pump on its last leg. have your mechanic take a look at the fuel system.
GM ASEP 26 SCC Milford ASE certified in Brakes and Electrical on Thursday April 5th 2012
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bennyb
Novice
May 31, 2011, 10:26 AM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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Thank you! I had my car towed to the mechanic this morning and he is certain 99% sure that its the cars computer. Apparently everything is working fine but nothing is coming out of the computer. So hopefully it is just a computer, he is trying to get me a used one but it will have to be reprogrammed and i'm not looking forward to what the dealer will charge for that.
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speed
User
May 31, 2011, 10:30 AM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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well hope things turn out for you, thanks for posting the solution.
GM ASEP 26 SCC Milford ASE certified in Brakes and Electrical on Thursday April 5th 2012
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bennyb
Novice
May 31, 2011, 6:48 PM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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I do have a couple of more questions. Is it wise or have an independent shop install a new computer/ECM or should I have the dealer do it? Is it also OK to go with a used computer/ECM as long as it had warranty or should I go with a new one? Also, the mechanic told me if we get a used one that it won’t have to be reprogrammed but I’m thinking regardless it will need to be reprogrammed so that everything in the car will run correctly.
One last question is it common for car computers/ECM to slowly die or do they usually just die at once? I was wondering since this seemed to be a gradual problem not an all of a sudden one if that makes sense.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 31, 2011, 6:53 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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The PCM is probably the most mis-diagnosed component that's changed these days. Bad PCMs are rare and it take a very knowledgeable tech to know when it's really bad so make sure this guy is a reputable diagnostic tech and not just your average parts changer. You might get more reliable information from the dealer or an electrical specialty shop.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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bennyb
Novice
Jun 1, 2011, 5:04 AM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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Thats what I was wondering. The main problem right now is that in order to get a second opinion or anything I have to have the car towed to another place. I'm almost thinking of having that done on friday just to the dealer so I can get it fixed even if it will be more expensive. I have to have a car.
From doing my own research I found 3 possible solutions:
1) the crankshaft and camshaft sensors he replaced were universal not nissan made so that might have been an issue but he said that wouldnt be the case since the car started after he installed the new ones
2) head gasket issue since that seems to be an issue with sentras but he is sure its not that as well
3) fuel pump, my best guess but he is certain that its not that
To test the computer/ecm he said that everything was firing to the computer but not coming back out, he was using a screwdriver with a light to check it, and also he tried hooking up his computer to the car, and even showed me but the computer couldnt connect to the car, it kept on saying check connections. He was hooking it up under the steering wheel, so does that sound like a correct diagnosis for the ECM?
Finally, if the ECM was dead would the radio still work? I know mine was still working when the car was stalling the first few times.
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kmr105
New User
Nov 23, 2011, 10:29 AM
Post #8 of 9
(8649 views)
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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Hello, I have a Nissan Sentra 2001. I am facing exactly the same problem. Have you solved this problem? If yes, Please let me know how.
It is really very important for me because it is safety issue
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 23, 2011, 12:41 PM
Post #9 of 9
(8643 views)
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Re: Help with 02 Nissan Sentra Stalling
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Please start your own post with your own specifics not hijack an old one,
T
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