Nissan Repair: 88 Pulsar 1.8 Dual Cam wont start...sort of, crank angle sensor, nissan cars

Question
QUESTION: I recently picked up an 88 pulsar Dual cam 1.8 L

Electrical works fine.

The car will start and it will stall after a while. After this happens it will not start again for a day or so. OR I can start it run it somewhere close and shut it off. After I try to start it again it will not start.

The starter is working just fine, tried doing a manual mix of gas in the air/gas chamber and it doesn't work. Tried a replacement ignition module (ICU) and that didnt seem to do it.

It will start, but then it will refuse to start again. My next step is seeing if it is the Crank Angle sensor (distributor). Spark is good, engine was rebuilt before I got to it (same problem before engine was redone)

No error lights.

I appreciate the help.

Thanks

ANSWER: Christopher,

Check the ignition switch first to make sure you get fire to the coil on start and run.  If there is no current then check to make sure the ignition has power and it is not worn out.  I have found this problem on several older Nissan cars.  So, get a test light and see what you are getting and let me know.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ignition switch is fine, it will always crank, but it just wont fire. It will have great difficulty starting, in that it will act as if it is getting spark every now and then as opposed to every time it cranks/

Answer
Christopher,

If you have power to the coil in both start and run then it would either be the coil or the ignitor.  Now, you did not say that it cuts out when you drive so I would assume the distributor is not contaminated with oil.  But, you should check for the presence of oil on the optical trigger and wheel.  This is located in the distributor under the rotor post and cover.