Nissan Repair: stalling/dying

Question
Car stalls. NO check engine light. Not fuel pump or fuel filter.


Car is Nissan Sentra/Pulsar 1998 Manual. With a GA15DNE Engine

Here are some more clues.

1. It restarts fine after it stalls, sometimes have to wait 3-10 seconds before it works. Key must be physically removed from the key hole for some reason

2. Typically Hills set it off, though can happen While slowing down, turning a sharp corner, changing gears, Driving at a moderate constant speed even just coasting downhill in neutral.

3. Usually runs fine initially and after 5 to 20 minutes of driving can start stalling. after the first stall it gradually gets worse and worse for the duration of the trip.If I Leave car for approx 30 minutes (time to cool down?) will work fine for another while before it starts stalling frequently again.

4. Once the snowball effect of vehicle stalling has started, Will often rev very high but not get much acceleration. This problem doesn't exist at the start of my day to day trips, only once it starts stalling frequently.

5. Here are parts I've replaced.
Oil + Filter
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Fuel Pump
Spark plugs
Distributor cap
1 HT lead (had a bit of gunk and rust in the connection point)

6. Potential Remedies (so i would think)
Replace sensors ie (crankshaft position sensor, throttle position sensor or oxygen sensor)
Electrical Issues ie (bad ECU)

Distributor problems ie (rotor and HT Leads) though it does arc on all 4 connection points if i partially pull them out while the engine is running

Clogged Fuel injectors or fuel line (Use a complete fuel system cleaner additive)




-Any advice/opinions/experience on anything of the above would be much appreciated!

Answer
Hi Josh -

Cannot be any sensors you mentioned because there is no check engine light activated. The only 2 components NOT on the ECM unit that will not energize the check engine light is the ignition module in the distributor and the fuel pump.

Since you ruled out the fuel pump, I would change the ignition module.

The description you gave me is exactly how a defective module will act. As soon as the engine warms up, the heat gets to the module and it fails, killing the engine. It will start right back up again, but will eventually not start the engine at all if left in that condition.

Replace the module and you should be fine.

Hope this helps -
aloha
Calvin