QuestionQUESTION: Von
I notice that for a while my maxima needed about (4) tries to start and I concluded it needed to start. On Thursday past the day before i decided to service it, it didn't start. I change the plugs(that were really black(no oil)and a lot of gas on them#,the fuel filter that had really bad gas in it and the oil filter. This did not restart it, the coils were firing, we change the ignition switch, the cam and crank sensors. Change the starter, plug in a used computer but didn't start. unplung the main wire harness above the upper plenium and it sound like it wanted to start then it started. let it run for a while, start it again it started again it hesitate do the unplug again it started but run with a miss. Change all coils started but runs rough the mechanic said the main computer needs to change. I plug in my hand held diagnostic tool and the code it gives is for a miss fire. Could this be injectors problem? The front injectors are easy to reach not the back ones are not. Can i test them with out taking them out? Should I go ahead and switch the computer? the engine is starting but it idles with a loop#slight miss). By the I lives in the Bahamas where we don't really have the auto zone to drive to to hook up the car for a complete test. NEED YOUR HELP. thanks
ANSWER: Kingsley,
If you have a misfire you probably need coils. If the plugs are sooted up you need to look at an over-rich condition. That means either the fuel pressure regulator is defective or you have a cam position sensor that is defective causing the injectors to spray too much fuel or at an inappropriate time. If you have a code scanner, and from the misfire code you must, check for the coils first. rockauto.com or courtesyparts.com are both cheap sources for coils. Half of what the dealer wants. Second, I know this sounds crazy. But, if you have 100,000 miles on the car you should replace the oxygen sensors. Reset the codes and see how it goes. Get a Haynes Manual and a digital volt ohm meter and check the mass airflow sensor too. This usually does not throw a code and can cause the over rich condition as well.
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QUESTION: Von
I put the handheld machine back on it and it gave two new codes, p1320 and p1335. What do you suggest? I understand what you told me but haven't done nothing yet and wanted you to know this first.
ANSWER: Kingsley,
The two codes are as follows. Check the ignition signal, no power I would assume, and the crank position sensor. Both are on the timing cover.
P1320 Ignition Signal, Primary
P1335 CKP Sensor (Ref)
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QUESTION: Von, the crank shaft position sensor is easy for me; how do i check the ignition signal. thanks
AnswerKingsley,
The codes pertain to the same event. When you replace the crank sensor it should clear the other code. The ignition signal to the coils is sent from the computer by grounding each at the appropriate time. Without a good reference from the crank angle sensor it will not work.
