Nissan Repair: 1997 Nissan Altima, crankshaft sensor, nissan altima


Question
QUESTION: I just recieved a 97 Altima from my brother in law.  The car has been sitting for 4 months and wouldn't start.  I replaced the battery and filled up the gas tank because it was on empty for all that time.  15 minutes into the drive home the car cut off while I was driving.  I managed to pull it to the side of the road, put it in park and tried to restart the car but it wouldn't.  After 20min the car finally started, however 15min later while I'm driving the car did it again and took another 20min to crank back up again.  I finally made it home after two hours of cutting off and waiting to start up again.  The next day I took it to a shop and got a diagnostic, it said My crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, and knock senor needed to be replaced.  I replaced everything they asked me too and the car still cuts off when i'm driving and takes 10-20 minutes to start back up. Sometimes the car trembles and shakes right before it dies and sometimes without warning it dies on me. I don't know what to do.  My friend told me the ignition coil is probably the reason it doesn't crank right back up, but know one can figure out why it keeps dying on me.  Help please I'm ready to give up.

ANSWER: Junior,

I would check the fuel and the coil.  Get a Haynes Manual for the coil readings and the fuel pressure.  If the car sat for that long I would be sure to change the fuel filter and add some gas treatment.  Check to see if you have any check engine codes.  Autozone or Checker will check them for free.  If you need further help email me back with any codes you find.

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QUESTION: I changed the fuel filter today and also added the gumout gas treatment and still the car is dying after running for 15-20min.  I ordered the ignition coil and it should be in on friday, however that won't fix the stalling or dying of the engine when I'm driving.

Answer
Junior,

If the car dies after 15 or 20 minutes of running you will have to check if the fuel pressure has dropped off like the fuel pump relay is overheating and needs to be replaced.  This is one cause.  Another one would be the coil overheating after it runs for 20 minutes.